Gopher Buddies Bible Study - Year One

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2 Gopher Buddies Bible Study - Year One For ages 4-6 Published by Word of Life Local Church Ministries A division of Word of Life Fellowship, Inc. Don Lough - Executive Director Jack Wyrtzen & Harry Bollback - Founders John Collins Director, Local Church Ministries USA P.O. Box 600 Schroon Lake, NY talk@wol.org Canada RR# Grey Road 18 Owen Sound ON, Canada 4K5W lcm@wol.ca Web Address: Publisher s Acknowledgements Writers and Contributors: Jen Armstrong, Nancy Coats, Anita Eger, Jill Eger, Jen Huntington, Christy Page, Lisa Reichard, Heather Storman Editor: Rhonda Hauser Curriculum Manager: Don Reichard Cover Design and Layout: Sally Robison Copyright 2017 Word of Life Fellowship, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without prior written permission of the publisher. Printed in the United States of America 2

3 Table of Contents Introduction Foundational Truth Lessons The Bible is God s Word (Verse 1: Luke 11:28b) God s Word is True God s Word is For Me I Can Learn from God s Word Review Lesson (Gopher) God the Creator (Verse 2: Genesis 1:1) God Made All Things God Creates the Animals God Creates Man Review Lesson (Gopher) Jesus is God s Son (Verse 3: John 20:31b) Jesus Goes to His Father s House Jesus Does Not Sin Nicodemus Visits God s Son Review Lesson (Gopher) I Choose To Be Jesus Helper (Verse 4: Colossians 3:23a) John the Baptist Prepares the Way for Jesus The Disciples Follow Jesus A Little Boy Helps Jesus Review Lesson (Gopher) The Problem of Sin (Verse 5: Romans 3:23) The First Sin Zaccheus Turns From Sin Jesus Came to Take Away My Sin Review Lesson (Gopher) I Learn About the Church (Verse 6: Psalm 122:1) The First Church The Church Prays For Peter Dorcas, A Great Helper In the Church Review Lesson (Gopher) Table of Contents 3

4 Character Trait Lessons Self-Control (Verse 7: Proverbs 25:28) Daniel Uses Self-Control Review Lesson (Gopher) Forgiveness (Verse 8: Colossians 3:13b) Joseph Forgives His Brothers Review Lesson (Gopher) Honesty (Verse 9: Proverbs 12:22) John the Baptist Tells the Truth Review Lesson (Gopher) Sharing (Verse 10: Acts 20:35c) The Sisters Who Shared With Jesus Review Lesson (Gopher) Themed Lessons Parent Night Moses Mother Cares For Him Friend Night A Good Friend Christmas The Shepherds Worship Jesus Easter Jesus is Alive! Summer Modules Let's Take A Road Trip (Summer Verse 1: Genesis 28:15a) Abraham Moves to a New Home Sweet Dreams, Jacob Let's Talk to God (Summer Verse 2: Nehemiah 1:11a) Hannah Prays Nehemiah Prays Let's Learn about God's Help (Summer Verse 3: Hebrews 13:6b) The Twelve Spies Gideon Follows God's Directions Table of Contents

5 Let's Learn About God's Love (Summer Verse 4: John 10:11) The Lost Sheep The Lost Son Let's Learn More About Jesus (Summer Verse 5: John 3:16) Jesus Makes a Sick Woman Well Jesus Is Alive! Let's Learn to Help Others (Summer Verse 6: Matthew 20:28a) Helping Is Important Appendix Ananias and Barnabas Help Saul Lesson Adaptations / Puppet Helps... A-1 Leading a Child to Christ... B-1 Snack Ideas... C-1 Scripture Memory Review Games... D-1 Game Ideas / Christian Service Activities... E-1 Introduction 5

6 Introduction If you want to understand more about teaching the life-changing truth of God s Word to younger children, the following pages are for you. The Word of Life Gopher Buddies program is designed for early learners who have not yet entered the first grade and are approximately four to six years old. This is an exciting time for this group of children. Their bright-eyed wonder, joy of learning, humorous comments and unique mannerisms will certainly endear them to your heart. Whether you teach occasionally or every week, our desire is to enable you to be used of God in the life of each child you encounter in your Gopher Buddies program. The following paragraphs are intended to help you focus upon the importance of knowing your Savior, your subject, your students and yourself so your teaching will make a difference for time and eternity. Your Savior Suppose Jesus showed up at your church next week. Do you think He would be interested in teaching in your Gopher Buddies program? We believe He would be glad for the opportunity! Our belief is based on an event that is recorded in Matthew 19:13-15 (see also Mark 10:13-16 and Luke 18:15-17). Great multitudes were following Jesus. The Pharisees questioned Him about divorce. Jesus took the time to teach them about marriage. When He finished His teaching, children were brought to Him so He could place His hands on them and pray for them. It was a rather common practice in that day to bring children to the rabbis for a blessing. According to Luke 18:15, some of the children were infants in arms. No doubt others were the age of the children in your Gopher Buddies program. The disciples wrongly rebuked those who brought the children to Jesus. Jesus strongly rebuked the disciples for their actions! He told them to allow the little children to come to Him. The people who heard Jesus teach wanted their children to be near Him and to be blessed by Him. It did not seem strange or out of the ordinary for them to approach Him with their younger children. Parents and children found Jesus approachable. In fact, He invited the children to come unto him. He did not view them as a burden but as a blessing (Psalm 127:3-5). Loving and accepting children is the heart of the Savior and should be your heart s desire as well. Ask God to give you the love for children that Jesus manifested when He was around them. This is a good request because He is not only your example, but He is also your enabler. Introduction 6

7 Your Subject So what are you going to teach the children each week? What will be your subject? Thankfully you do not have to wonder about the content of your lessons. The Bible makes it clear that you can and should teach children truth about God using the Word of God. Deuteronomy 6 instructs us to love the Lord, love His Word and to teach His word diligently to children (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). Parents are to bring their children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4). The Apostle Paul encouraged Timothy to continue in the things which thou hast learned reminding him that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, (2 Timothy 3:14-15). 2 Timothy 1:5 shows that Timothy s mother and grandmother were instrumental in his knowledge about God and His Word. Scripture makes it clear that truth about God is the subject to be taught to children in a regular and practical manner. The Word of Life Gopher Buddies program is designed to help both parents and leaders teach the Word of God to children. The daily Quiet Time and weekly Gopher Buddies Home Connection page are designed to help parents teach them diligently (Deuteronomy 6:7) the truth about God. Your primary tool to assist you, as a Gopher Buddies leader, is the Gopher Buddies Leader s Bible Study. Understanding the Gopher Buddies Bible Study As a Gopher Buddies leader, you will want to be familiar with the Scope and Sequence, current year s table of contents, and the format of each weekly lesson. Scope and Sequence The Scope and Sequence pages included in this Bible study give you an overview of your entire three year teaching schedule. You will notice there are six Biblical foundations taught each year. Each of these foundational truths is covered in a four lesson module. You also have an additional eight lessons addressing four key character traits and four theme night lessons in each year s Bible study. There are a total of 36 lessons for the regular nine-month program. While most churches choose to run a nine-month program using the initial 36 lessons, there are some who prefer to meet throughout the summer months. For those groups, there are an additional twelve summer series lessons in each year's Gopher Buddies Bible Study. These lessons are grouped into six modules, with two lessons per module. Because attendance in the summer months may be somewhat irregular, each summer lesson is designed to stand on its own. Introduction 7

8 Table of Contents The Table of Contents gives you an overview of the lessons to be taught during the current ministry year. There are six Biblical foundations covered each year. The four character trait studies (two lessons each) can be taught between the foundational truth modules at your discretion. The theme night lessons can be scheduled into your teaching calendar according to the theme addressed in each lesson. Weekly Lesson Each week s lesson follows the same general format. While the content and approach to each lesson is different each week, the overall format will remain the same. The lesson format is explained in detail below so that you can get the most from each lesson you teach the children in your Gopher Buddies program. Lesson Title The titles are written to communicate the main thrust of the lesson. Scripture Passage This is the broad passage of Scripture that the lesson is based upon. You will want to be sure and read this passage of Scripture during your lesson preparation time. It would be good to read it several times so as to get the overall thrust of the passage in your mind and heart. Additional passages are given when they provide helpful background to the teacher. Lesson Objective and Application In just a few short sentences, you will be given the general objective of the lesson. You will understand the intended outcome of your Bible study. Remember you are not teaching to fill time but to see lives changed. The better you understand your objective and application the more effective you will be in your teaching. Supply List Have you ever been in the middle of a lesson and realized you did not have a needed prop or visual? It can be a frustrating experience. We do not want you to have such frustrating experiences in your Gopher Buddies program. This list will highlight any special items needed for your Bible lesson, Scripture Memory Time, and Game time. This list will make it easy for you to prepare for each 8 Introduction

9 week s lesson and to delegate tasks or items needed to other teachers, helpers or parents. You will need to refer to the Snack Time section of each lesson to determine the supplies necessary for the snack you choose. Bible Lesson Under the headings of Introduction, Lesson and Application you will find the complete teaching text and special instructions for each lesson. All special instructions written to you, as the teacher, are italicized so they stand out from the rest of the text. We encourage you to teach from an open Bible. This is important for the sake of the children. They need to visually associate what they are being taught with the Word of God. Teaching from an open Bible helps them to understand that you are teaching them the truth of God s Word. You will also want to thoroughly study the lesson text so you are able to focus on the children and not on your notes. If you are tied to your notes you will not be as effective in your teaching. Young children need your eye contact and personal attention. Experienced teachers will read over the lesson material often during their preparation time, making their own notes and making the lesson their own. When it is time to teach, they will capture the attention and heart of the children because their time of preparation will allow them to focus on communicating God s truth to the children in an effective manner. Prayer Time Suggestion You will appreciate this practical suggestion that relates the lesson to a time of prayer with the children. Review Questions The Review Questions are a great way to reinforce the lesson with the children. Asking questions allows you to correct any misunderstood truths and affirm the truth of the lesson with the children. You may ask these questions at the conclusion of each lesson. Every week a fun activity is given to physically engage the children in answering the questions. This is a good area to incorporate the Gopher family puppets into your club on a regular basis. Use one of the puppets to ask the Review Questions from time to time. Introduction 9

10 Snack Time The children will really enjoy the special Snack Time that is a part of the Gopher Buddies program. There is a simple and a more involved snack suggestion given for each lesson. All the details for Snack Time are included in this section. The Discussion Suggestion will allow you to reinforce the truth of the lesson through the Snack Time. Such repetition of key concepts throughout the program will maximize the impact of your lesson. It is also following the instruction of Deuteronomy 6:7 to teach through the everyday occurrences and circumstances of life. Discipleship Time During Discipleship Time the children will enjoy working on an activity sheet that goes along with the lesson. The activity sheet provided for each lesson is referenced in this section and will help reinforce and provide additional lesson application. Do not make the activity sheet the only focus of this time with the children Use it as a tool to aid in reviewing the lesson. Questions for Further Discussion are provided to constructively guide the conversation of the children so as to reinforce the key truths of the lesson. Scripture Memory Time Young children are like a sponge soaking up large amounts of information. Favorite television theme songs, commercials and fun children s songs are learned quickly by children through constant repetition. Certainly committing God s Word to memory should be a priority. Each lesson module will have a corresponding verse. Every week a fun and creative way to learn and review the verse that accompanies your current lesson module is given. Scripture Memory Time should be a fun occasion for the leaders and children. Game Time Here you will find two exciting and age appropriate game suggestions. One is simple and the other may take some advanced planning. A Learning Link is given for each to help reinforce a key truth or concept from the lesson. Remember your purpose is not to teach the entire lesson at game time. Just have fun and use the Learning Link to further impress the lesson s aim upon each child. We hope you are as excited about teaching these Biblical truths to children as we are about you teaching them! We believe that God will use you to teach His Word in a way that will make a significant and lasting impact in the life of each child in your ministry. 10 Introduction

11 Your Students Knowing the Savior and the subject you are to teach is very important. It is also vital that you know and understand the children you will be teaching. As you prepare the week s Bible study, think of each child and the impact the Bible study can make in his life. Be sure to review the practical information in your Early Learner s Resource Manual concerning the developmental characteristics, family backgrounds and learning styles of children. Become a student of your students and your skill as a teacher will grow. Yourself Teaching children is a significant task. Teaching children the truth of God s Word is an eternally significant task. As you think on the importance of teaching children, you may find yourself in one of two groups. You may be excited about the task that lies before you because you have a real passion to teach God s Word to children or you may be a little apprehensive because you are not sure if you are as qualified as you feel you need to be. Have you ever heard it said; God does not call the qualified, but He qualifies the called.? If you sense that God has led you into this ministry you can be confident that He will equip and enable you to faithfully fulfill your responsibilities. Review the teacher qualifications suggested in the Early Learner s Resource Manual and ask God to make those qualities a reality in your life. Also remember that it is not always the most talented that make the difference but those who are the most available. Whether you are a veteran teacher or a new volunteer, place yourself in God s hands as an available instrument for Him to use to communicate the life changing message of His Word to the precious boys and girls in your ministry. Be confident that the Gopher Buddies development team has prepared all of this material with the desire that it will help you in your ministry for the good of the children and the Glory of God. The time has now come for you to teach them diligently (Deuteronomy 6:7). May God bless you in this exciting and eternally significant endeavor! Customize your Curriculum It is recommended that you plan your year of curriculum using the planner on the following pages. The design of this curriculum allows you to customize the teaching plan so that key lessons (Christmas, Easter, Parent Night, Friend Night) can be taught on specific days. Remember to keep modules together so that your teaching is most effective. Introduction 11

12 Gopher Buddies Curriculum Planner Date Teacher Lesson Title 12 Introduction

13 Date Teacher Lesson Title Introduction 13

14 14 Introduction

15 God s Word is True Scripture Passage: 1 Samuel 3:6-9; Psalm 119:160; John 17:17 Lesson Objective and Application Children will learn that the Bible is God s Word and that it is all true. They will begin to understand that just as God spoke to Samuel in the night, He speaks to them today through His Word. Children will also begin to understand that reading God s Word and doing their Quiet Time will help them know what God wants them to do. At the conclusion of this lesson, the children will name a time of day when they will try to read their Bible and do their Quiet Time. They will pray and ask God to help them do this. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible Envelope and card with the following message: Dear (insert teacher s name), I love you. Love, Grandma Lesson Visuals #1 4 Scripture Memory Bible Game Time BASIC GAME Familiar verses marked in your Bible (John 3:16; Gopher Buddy Memory verses, Psalm 23:1) Basket with several objects that make noise (rattle, musical instruments, whistle) ADVANCED GAME Pillow Blanket The Bible is God s Word Lesson 1 15

16 Bible Lesson Introduction Look, I have a letter. Show envelope. I am going to open the envelope and read the message inside. Read letter. Dear (insert teacher s name), I love you. Love, Grandma. Have any of you boys and girls ever received a letter or card like that? Allow time for response. Isn t it fun to get a special message from people who love you? The Bible tells us about a boy who received a message from someone very special. Can you guess who the special message was from? Allow time for response. It was a message from God! This boy s name was Samuel. We can read about Samuel s story in the Bible, God s Word. I am going to open my Bible to 1 Samuel, chapter 3. Let s ask God to help us understand what we read in His Word before we begin. Thank God for giving us the Bible. Ask Him to help the children be good listeners. Lesson The Bible tells us that Samuel lived in the temple with Eli the priest. A temple is like a church. He helped Eli do different jobs around the temple. What kinds of jobs do you think Samuel helped Eli do? Allow time for response. Whenever Eli asked for help, Samuel would do what he was told to do. He was a very good helper. Show Visual #1. One night while Samuel was sleeping he heard someone call his name. Call out Samuel s name. Samuel thought it must be Eli calling him for help. So Samuel quickly ran to where Eli was sleeping. Show Visual #2. Listen as I read from the Bible to see what happened next. Read 1 Samuel 3:5. So it wasn t Eli calling Samuel s name. Eli told Samuel he should go back to bed. So Samuel went back to bed. Show Visual #1. It wasn t long before Samuel heard his name called again. Call out Samuel s name. Again, Samuel thought it was Eli calling him for help. So Samuel quickly ran to where Eli was sleeping. Show Visual #2. Read 1 Samuel 3:6b Don t read yet that it was God calling Samuel. But again it wasn t Eli calling Samuel s name. Eli told Samuel to go back and lie down. Show Visual #1. So Samuel went back to bed again. It wasn t long before Samuel heard someone calling his name again! Call out Samuel s name. Boys and girls, who do you think was calling Samuel? Allow time for response. Well, Samuel thought it was Eli calling out to him again. Show Visual #2. So Samuel got up and ran to where Eli was sleeping. This time Eli finally understood who was calling to Samuel. Listen as I read from my Bible to find out who was calling Samuel. Read 1 Samuel 3:8b-9. It was God who was calling Samuel s name! Eli told Samuel to go back to his bed. Eli told Samuel that if he heard someone calling out to him, he should say, Speak Lord, I am listening. And that is what Samuel did. God did call out just as He had done the other times. He said, Samuel! Samuel! This time Samuel knew what to do. He answered, Speak Lord. I am listening. Show Visual #3. God had a 16 The Bible is God s Word Lesson 1

17 special message for Samuel. God had many things He wanted to tell Samuel. Samuel listened carefully to all that God said. Application Wow! Samuel s message was from God. Did you know God has a message for you, too? Now, He probably won t call your name out in the middle of the night like He did Samuel s. He has chosen a different way to share His message with you. How do you think God shares His message with boys and girls today? How do you know what God wants you to do? Allow time for response. God has given us His message in the Bible. Hold up Bible. The Bible is God s Word. Remember the letter I had from my Grandma? Hold up letter and envelope. What if I had not opened the envelope? Would I have known what message Grandma had sent me? No, I had to open the envelope and read the letter to find out what Grandma said to me. The same thing is true with our Bibles. Show Visual #4. If you want to hear the message God has sent to you, you must open your Bibles and read His message. Remember, boys and girls, everything you read in the Bible, God s Word, is true. Samuel knew God s Word is true and that s why he wanted to listen to all God said. God wants to tell you things each day. Reading God s Word, the Bible, and doing your Quiet Time each day will help you know what God wants you to do. When is a good time for you and a grown-up to do your Quiet Time together? For some families, first thing in the morning is a good time to read the Bible and pray. For others, bedtime is when they like to do their Quiet Time. This week choose a time to do your Quiet Time so you can be like Samuel and learn what God wants you to do. Prayer Time Suggestion Thank God for giving us His message in the Bible. Thank God that His Word is all true. Review Questions Have children put the palms of their hands together in front of them. Tell the children this is their pretend Bible. Tell the children you will ask them questions about the Bible story. When they know the answer to the question, they should open up their pretend Bibles. Show children how to put theirhands together and then open them so the palms of their hands are facing upward, like an open Bible. Practice doing this with the children one or two times. The Bible is God s Word Lesson 1 17

18 1. Where did Samuel live? (The temple) 2. Who did Samuel think was calling his name? (Eli) 3. What did Samuel say to God when He called his name? (Speak Lord, I am listening.) 4. How does God talk to us? (Through reading our Bibles) 5. What is the Bible? (The Bible is God s Word.) Snack Time Samuel Cookies Purchase gingerbread or sugar cookies at a grocery store or a bakery and serve with milk. You may choose to have the children decorate the cookies with purchased tube frosting or icing. Discussion Suggestion: As the children enjoy their snack, talk about how God told Samuel the things He wanted him to do. Be sure to discuss the importance of the children reading their Bible and doing their Quiet Time each day so that they will know what God wants them to do. Samuel s Midnight Snack Use a cookie cutter to cut shapes from sliced bread and top with cheese or other toppings. Add the toppings yourself or allow the children to do so by themselves. Discussion Suggestion: As the children enjoy their snack, talk about how God told Samuel the things He wanted him to do. Be sure to discuss the importance of the children reading their Bible and doing their Quiet Time each day so that they will know what God wants them to do. 18 The Bible is God s Word Lesson 1

19 Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (The Bible is God s Word Lesson 1) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. Does God want to talk to you like He talked to Samuel? (Yes) 2. What will help you know what God wants you to do? (Reading God s Word, the Bible, and doing my Quiet Time each day.) 3. Why should you listen to God s Word? (Because it is true.) 4. Name a time of day when you will try to read your Bible and do your Quiet Time. (Answers will vary.) Prayer Time Thank God that we can learn how He wants us to live by reading the Bible. Suggested sentence prayer Dear God, please help me to set a time each day to read Your Word and do my Quiet Time. Scripture Memory Time Verse: Luke 11:28b Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. In our Bible story today, Samuel listened and heard God s Word. Our Bible verse says that God will bless us when we hear AND obey His Word. Say the verse including the reference aloud several times. Then ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Rise and Shine Arrange the children on the floor. Have them pretend to sleep like Samuel was asleep in the Bible lesson. Tell the children that when you call their name and say, Rise and shine, they should stand up and say the memory verse with you. After they say the verse, they should go back to sleep. Continue to awaken groups of children until each child has had a turn. Repeat as time allows. The Bible is God s Word Lesson 1 19

20 Game Time Listening Game Have the children close their eyes. Tell them when they hear you read something from God s Word, the Bible, they should stand up. When they hear a different noise they should put their hands over their ears. While their eyes are still closed, have them try and guess what the noise is. Alternate between reading one of the Bible verses and making a noise with the objects in the basket. Make sure to hold the Bible up so that when the children open up their eyes they can see that you were reading from it. Learning Link: Remind the children that just as God spoke to Samuel in the night, He speaks to them through His Word, the Bible. Tell the children that is why it is important for them to listen to God s Word and do their Quiet Time each day. Encourage them once again to think of a good time during their day when they can do their Quiet Time. Sleeping Samuel Have the children sit in a circle on the floor. Choose one child to be Samuel. Have them lie down with the pillow and blanket in the middle of the circle. Tell them to close their eyes and pretend to be asleep. Choose another child sitting in the circle and have them call out, Samuel, Samuel. Then have Samuel wake up and go stand by the person who they think called out their name. The player who called out Samuel s name gets to be the next Samuel. Continue playing until all the children have had a chance to be Samuel. Learning Link: Review with the children that just as God spoke to Samuel in the night, He speaks to them today through His Word, the Bible. Tell the children that is why it is important for them to listen to God s Word and do their Quiet Time each day. Encourage them once again to think of a good time during the day when they can do their Quiet Time. 20 The Bible is God s Word Lesson 1

21 God s Word is for Me Scripture Passage: Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17; John 17:17 Lesson Objective and Application Children will learn that God s Word is for everyone children too. Children will begin to understand salvation and have an opportunity to accept Christ. At the conclusion of this lesson, the children will pray and thank God for loving them and that His Word is for everyone. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible A red sign that says NO A green sign that says YES Scripture Memory Bible Sets of footprints (copied from the pattern in the Scripture Memory Review Games Appendix) Number needed will vary according to which Bible version your group is memorizing from. You will need one footprint per word as well as one for the reference. Game Time SELECTED READING BOOK Jesus Blesses the Children by Karen Cooley Bible Lesson Introduction Boys and girls, how many of you would like to visit an amusement park? What would we need to do to get to the amusement park? Allow time for response. What if we did all those things but when we got to the amusement park the security guards would not let us in? What if they held up a big sign The Bible is God s Word Lesson 2 21

22 like this and said (hold up the NO sign), No children allowed! Can you say that with me? No children allowed! How would you feel? Allow time for response. The Bible tells us about a group of children who wanted to do something very special. They wanted to do something that was even more exciting than visiting an amusement park! What do you think they wanted to do? Allow time for response. I will give you a hint. They wanted to see Someone! In our last lesson, we learned that the Bible is God s Word. The Bible is the way God tells us what He wants us to do. All of the Bible, God s Word, is true. I am going to open my Bible to Mark, chapter 10 so we can find out Who the children wanted to see. Before we do that let s pray and ask God to help us understand His message to us. Thank God for giving us the Bible so that we can learn about Him. Ask Him to help everyone be good listeners. Lesson Jesus had been traveling around teaching the people about God. He told the people how much God loved them. He showed the power of God by making sick people well. The people were so excited to come and hear Jesus message. They often traveled many miles to hear Jesus speak. Whole families traveled to see Jesus. Luke 18:15 tells us that parents even brought little babies to see Jesus. One day a group of families with children traveled to see Jesus. I have a feeling those boys and girls were very excited as they walked along because their parents had told them Who they were going to see. I wonder if some of the children even ran ahead of their friends so they could be the first ones to see Jesus. When the people finally got to the place where Jesus was teaching, some of Jesus helpers said (hold up the NO sign), No children allowed! Can you say that with me? No children allowed! Jesus helpers told the children to go away. They said the children could not see Jesus. They did not want the children to bother Jesus. How do you think the children felt when they heard this? Allow time for response. Now when Jesus heard His helpers say, No children allowed, He was not happy. Read Mark 10:14. Jesus said (hold up the YES sign), Yes, children, come to me! Can you say that with me? Yes, children, come to me! How do you think the children felt then? Allow time for response. Jesus took time to hold and talk to the children. The children must have been so excited to be close to Jesus and listen to Him talk about God. Hold up the YES sign. Yes, children, come to me! Boys and girls, the Bible is God s Word. All of God s Word, the Bible, is true and the Bible is for everyone, even for boys and girls. Application Jesus called the children to come to Him because He loved the children. Jesus wants you to come to Him because He loves you, too. Jesus helpers wanted to stop the children from coming to see Jesus. We have something that keeps 22 The Bible is God s Word Lesson 2

23 us from God, too. That something is sin. The Bible tells us in Romans 3:23 that we have all done wrong things. God calls the wrong things we do sin. Sin keeps us from God. But John 3:16 tells us that Jesus loved us so much that He died on the cross to take the punishment for our sin. But, He did not stay dead. He came alive again on the third day. In Romans 10:9, the Bible says if we Confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Have you told God that you are sorry for the wrong things you have done? Have you asked Him to forgive you and be your Savior? If you would like a leader to help you understand more about asking Jesus to be your Savior, you can come and talk to me after the lesson. Have a teacher ready for counseling. For detailed invitation instructions and an explanation concerning the process of leading Early Learners to Christ, please see the appendix in this Bible Study. Prayer Time Suggestion Thank Jesus for loving each one of us. Thank Jesus for dying on the cross for our sins. Review Questions Place the YES sign used in the Bible lesson somewhere in the room. Have children stand in the opposite corner from the sign. Tell the children you are going to ask them questions about the Bible lesson. When they know the answer, they should tiptoe to the YES sign. After each question is answered, have children return to the corner. Repeat until all questions have been answered. For larger groups, have them stand up and point to the sign. 1. Whom were the families going to see? (Jesus) 2. What did Jesus helpers say to the children? (No children allowed.) 3. How did Jesus feel when He heard His helpers say, No children allowed? (He was not happy.) 4. What did Jesus say? (Yes, children, come to me.) 5. How do you think the children felt when Jesus said, Yes, children, come to me? (Answers will vary.) The Bible is God s Word Lesson 2 23

24 Snack Time Gopherville Bible Snack Give each child two graham crackers, a small bowl with a spoonful of canned frosting, and a small craft stick. Show the children how to spread the frosting on the crackers with the craft stick and put the crackers together to make a book. Serve with milk. Discussion Suggestion: While the children enjoy the snack, talk about the Bible lesson for this week. Remind the children that Jesus wanted the children to come to Him and hear about God. When Jesus did this, He showed His disciples that God s Word is for everyone, even for boys and girls. Gopher Buddy Bible Snack Before class, spread white frosting between two graham crackers. Put the crackers together to look like a book. Use a tube of icing to write the word Bible on the front of the crackers. Serve with milk. Discussion Suggestion: While the children enjoy the snack, talk about the Bible lesson for this week. Remind the children that Jesus wanted the children to come to Him and hear about God. When Jesus did this, He showed His disciples that God s Word is for everyone, even for boys and girls. Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (The Bible is God s Word Lesson 2) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. What is God s Word? (The Bible) 2. For whom is God s Word, the Bible? (For everyone, even children) 3. What is sin? (The wrong things we do) 4. How do we come to Jesus? (Ask God to forgive us for our sins, believe that Jesus died to pay the price for our sins, and ask Jesus to be our Savior) Prayer Time Thank Jesus for loving us and for wanting us to come to Him. Thank Him that His Word is for everyone. 24 The Bible is God s Word Lesson 2

25 Suggested sentence prayer Thank you, Jesus, for loving me. Thank you that your Word is for everyone, even me! Scripture Memory Time Verse: Luke 11:28b Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. God will bless us when we hear AND obey His Word. The Bible is God s Word, and it is for everyone, even for children. Say the verse including the reference aloud several times. Then ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Follow the Footsteps Make copies of the set of footprints found in the Scripture Memory Games Appendix of the Bible Study. There should be one footprint per word and also a footprint for the reference. Place the footprints on the floor, spaced far enough apart so that the children can easily step on them as they walk across them. Have the children form a line. One at a time, the children will step on the footprints as they repeat the words. Extra option: Illustrate the footsteps with a picture to match the word. For example, on the footsteps for blessed draw a happy face. For they draw people, hear draw an ear, etc. Show the pictures to the children as you practice the verse. Then when they walk the footsteps, the pictures can help them remember the words. The Bible is God s Word Lesson 2 25

26 Game Time Selected Reading Book This week's lesson offers an excellent opportunity to read the selected reading book, Jesus Blesses the Children by Karen Cooley. Learning Link: After reading the book, take time to discuss it with the children. Remind the children that Jesus wanted the children to come to Him and hear about God. When Jesus did this, He showed His disciples that God's Word is for everyone, even for boys and girls. Jesus also showed the children that they were special to Him and He loved them all very much. 26 The Bible is God s Word Lesson 2

27 I Can Learn From God s Word Scripture Passage: Acts 8:26-35 Lesson Objective and Application Children will learn that Philip helped the Ethiopian man understand what he was reading from the Bible. They will begin to understand that God gives us many people who help us understand His Word. At the conclusion of this lesson, the children will name one person who helps them learn from God s Word. They will thank God for the people who help them learn from God s Word. Supply Bible List Lesson Scripture Memory Game Time Bible A game that the children have never played Directions for the game An importantlooking hat for the Ethiopian man A pair of adult athletic shoes Two chairs Bible BASIC GAME Chairs Portable CD player and music Small prize or treat for children ADVANCED GAME Beanbags number will vary according to size of group Box or bucket number will vary (optional: decorate to look like a chariot) Bible Lesson Introduction Today, boys and girls, I brought a game to Gopher Buddies. How many of you have ever played this game? Allow time for response. Would someone like The Bible is God s Word Lesson 3 27

28 to help us learn how to play the game? Try to choose a helper who does not already know the rules to the game. Give the chosen helper the list of directions. All right, here are the directions on how to play this game. Now, can you tell us how to play the game? Allow the helper to respond. Mmmm... it looks like you need some help. Well, it just so happens that I have played this game before. Would it make it easier if I read the directions to you and explain how to play the game? Allow time for response. When we start something new, like playing a game we have never played before, it s sometimes a good thing to have someone beside us to help us understand the directions. Thank the helper and have them sit down. In our Bible lesson this week, there is a man who was having trouble understanding God s Word, the Bible. He needed help! I am going to open my Bible to Acts chapter 8, so we can find out who this man was and who helped him. Let s ask God to help us understand what we read. Thank God for giving us the Bible. Ask Him to help the children be good listeners. Lesson Our story today begins with a very important man. The Bible tells us this man lived in the country of Ethiopia. He was in charge of all the money for the queen of the Ethiopians. This man must have been very smart to do such an important job for the queen. I need someone to pretend to be this important Ethiopian man for our story. Choose a helper. Place an important-looking hat on his head. Let s read Acts 8:28 to find out what this man was doing. Read Acts 8:28. What does this verse say the man was doing? Allow time for response. The Bible says he was on his way home, sitting in his chariot, and reading the Bible. A chariot is a small wagon that is pulled by horses. Have helper sit in a chair that will be his chariot. Give him a Bible opened to Isaiah 53. So, boys and girls, here is our Ethiopian man. He s sitting in his chariot, trying to understand God s message. The Bible also tells us the Ethiopian man was not the only one traveling along the road that day. A man named Philip, who knew God s Word was true, was also there. Read Acts 8:26. I need someone to pretend to be Philip for our story. Choose a helper. Have him put on the pair of athletic shoes. Acts 8:29 says that as Philip was traveling along, God had a message for him. God told Philip to go up to the Ethiopian s chariot. Philip did what God asked him to do. OK, Philip, go up to the chariot! Direct Philip to run in place beside the chariot chair. Wait a minute! What is it that pulls a chariot to make it go? Allow time for response. That s right; horses pull a chariot to make it go. Wow, Philip, you had better really start running so you can keep up with those horses. After a while, the Ethiopian invited Philip to join him in the chariot. Have Philip sit in a chariot chair. Let s read Acts 8:30-31 to see what happened next. Read Acts 8: Philip asked the man if he understood what he was reading in the Bible. The man told Philip that he needed someone to help him understand what he was reading. Philip explained to the Ethiopian all that he 28 The Bible is God s Word Lesson 3

29 had read from the Bible. Philip told the man the good news about Jesus. Thank the special helpers and ask them to sit down. Application A few weeks ago, we talked about a story in the Bible where God talked to a boy named Samuel and told him what He wanted him to do. Who can remember how God gave Samuel His special message? Allow time for response. Will we hear God s voice calling our name in the middle of the night? No, God has chosen a different way to share His message with us. How does God share His message with us? Allow time for response. God has given us His message in the Bible. Sometimes, just as you needed me to help you understand the directions to the new game, you may need someone to help you understand what God s Word means. God sent Philip to help the Ethiopian man understand what he was reading in his Bible. There may be times when you are like the Ethiopian man and need someone to help you understand what you are reading in the Bible. Who do you think can help you? Allow time for response. God has given you many people who can help you learn from His Word. Your pastor, Sunday school teachers, Gopher Buddies leaders, moms, dads, and many other people can help you. You can learn more about the Bible by going to church, coming to Gopher Buddies, and doing your quiet time every day. Prayer Time Suggestion Thank God for giving us people to help us understand His Word, the Bible. Ask God to help us pay careful attention to what we learn from the Bible. Review Questions Show the children how to make a clip-clop sound of horses moving by slapping their hands alternately on the table. Practice with the children making the clip-clop sound. Tell them you are going to ask them questions about the Bible lesson. When they think they know the answer to the question, they should make the clip-clop horse sound. 1. Who did the Ethiopian man work for? (The queen) 2. What was the man sitting in? (A chariot) 3. What was the man reading in his chariot? (His Bible) 4. Did the man understand what he was reading? (No) 5. How did Philip help the man? (He explained to the man all the things he had read in the Bible.) The Bible is God s Word Lesson 3 29

30 Snack Time Crunch-n-Munch Critter Snack Serve this favorite horsey snack: baby carrots and apple slices. Add some veggie and fruit dip to make it even more fun. See the Snack Ideas Appendix for ways to pretreat fruit. Discussion Suggestion: During snack time, talk with the children about how the food served can remind them of this week s lesson. The Ethiopian man was riding in a chariot pulled by horses. Maybe the horses ate a snack like this while Philip helped the man understand what he was reading in God s Word. Remind the children that just as Philip helped the man in the lesson understand God s Word, their parents and leaders and others want to help them understand God s Word, too! Horsey Chew and Chomp Before class mix the following favorite horsey treats in a large bowl: mini shredded wheat (hay bales), Cheerios (oats), dried apples (apples), candy corn (corn). Discussion Suggestion: During snack time, talk with the children about how the food served can remind them of this week s lesson. The Ethiopian man was riding in a chariot pulled by horses. Maybe the horses ate a snack like this while Philip helped the man understand what he was reading in God s Word. Remind the children that just as Philip helped the man in the lesson understand God s Word, their parents and leaders and others want to help them understand God s Word, too! Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (The Bible is God s Word Lesson 3) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. What is God s Word? (The Bible) 2. What do you need to do to hear God s message? (Open and read your Bible) 30 The Bible is God s Word Lesson 3

31 3. What should you do if you don t understand something? (Ask for help) 4. Name someone whom God has given you to help you understand His Word (Answers will vary.) Prayer Time Thank God for the children. Pray that they will learn to love and understand His Word. Suggested sentence prayer Thank you Jesus for giving me to help me understand your Word. Scripture Memory Time Verse: Luke 11:28b Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. God will bless us when we hear AND obey His Word. There are times when you need someone to help you understand God s Word, so you can obey what it says. God has given you many people who can help you learn and obey His Word. Say the verse including the reference aloud several times. Then ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Pop Up Have the children sit in a circle with you. Tell them that you are going to pretend to be popcorn popping. They are special popcorn and only pop on certain words. The first time you say the verse everyone is going to pop on the word hear. The second time you say the verse, have everyone pop on the words hear and Word. Continue adding words as time allows. The Bible is God s Word Lesson 3 31

32 Game Time Musical Chariots Make a circle of chairs. Have one chair less than the number of children. Tell the children these are chariot chairs. Have the children form a circle around the chairs. Begin playing the music. The children should move in a line around the chairs. When the music stops, the children should try to sit on a chair closest to them. The child without a chair leaves the game and one chair is removed. Try to have a small prize or treat to give children when they leave the game. Continue playing until only one child remains. Learning Link: Briefly review with the children that the man in this week s lesson was riding in his chariot when God sent Philip to help him understand the Bible. Tell the children the game can help them remember the lesson. Just like the Ethiopian man, God has given them people who will help them understand His Word. Chariot Shot Have the children line up in one or several lines, depending on the amount of space you have available and the number of children in the group. Have the children take turns tossing beanbags into a chariot (a box or a bucket). Start with the containers fairly close to the children and move them back a bit further with each round. Repeat as time allows. Learning Link: Briefly review with the children that the man in this week s lesson was riding in his chariot when God sent Philip to help the man understand the Bible. Tell the children the game can help them remember the lesson. Remind them that just like the Ethiopian man, God has given them people who will help them understand His Word. 32 The Bible is God s Word Lesson 3

33 Gopher Buddies Review Lesson Scripture Passage: 1 Samuel 3; Mark 10:13-16; Acts 8:26-35 Lesson Objective and Application Using the Gopher Puppets, this lesson will reinforce and review the material covered in lessons one, two, and three of this module. At the conclusion of this review lesson, the children will thank God for giving them His Word, the Bible. The children will be able to name one thing they have learned about the Bible. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible Andy Gopher puppet Scripture Memory Bible Game Time Craft: 7" 2" piece of cardstock or construction paper for each child Markers Stickers Hole punch Yarn or ribbon Andy Gopher puppet Bible Bible Lesson Gopher Puppet Dialog: Andy enters, singing. Andy: The B-I-B-L-E, yes, that s the book for me. I stand alone on the Word of God, the B-I-B-L-E. Teacher: That is a great song you are singing, Andy. The Bible is God s Word Lesson 4 33

34 Andy: I like to sing it when I am looking for my Bible. Sometimes I have to sing it several times before I find my Bible. Teacher: Does someone hide your Bible from you, Andy? Andy: No, I just never seem to remember where I put it after coming home from church. Teacher: Andy, do you use your Bible only when you are taking it to church? Andy: Sure, I don t need it any other time during the week. Teacher: Oh, Andy, you are missing out on God s message. Andy acts confused. Andy: Message? Uhh...What message? God has a message? Teacher: Yes, He does! The boys and girls have learned about a boy named Samuel who received a message from Andy interrupts the teacher. Andy: A message from his mother? Teacher: No, Andy, he received a message from God. Andy: How did Samuel know the message was from God? Teacher: Would someone like to tell Andy about God s message to Samuel? Direct the children in retelling the story of God s message to Samuel. Andy: Wow, I didn t know that God spoke to Samuel! Teacher: At first, Samuel did not know that it was God who was talking to him. He needed Eli s help to understand. The Bible tells us another story about someone who needed help to understand a message from God. Andy: Tell me, tell me! Who was it? Was it another little boy? Andy jumps up and down in excitement. Teacher: No, it wasn t a little boy this time. It was a very important man from the country of Ethiopia. Andy: Are you telling me that even a very important man did not know God had a message for him? 34 The Bible is God s Word Lesson 4

35 Teacher: No, the Ethiopian man knew God had a message for him. He even knew where to find the message from God. Andy: Did he have to follow a treasure map to find the message from God? Teacher: No, Andy, the message was in his Bible. Hold up your Bible. Andy: In his Bible? Teacher: The Ethiopian man read God s message in his Bible. But he did not understand the message. He needed someone to help him. Andy: I know. He needed Superman to help him! Andy pretends to fly around like Superman. Teacher: No, not Superman. But God did send a man who could run as fast as a horse! Andy: No way! Tell me more! Teacher: Would someone like to tell Andy whom God sent to the Ethiopian man? Teacher chooses a child to answer. Teacher: Philip helped the Ethiopian man understand God s message. He would have missed that message if he hadn t read his Bible. The Bible is God s Word. The boys and girls have learned that the Bible, God s Word, is for everyone, even children. The Bible helps us know more about God. When we read our Bible we learn what God wants us to do. Andy: Wow! I didn t know all that was in the Bible. I am going to go find my Bible right now! Andy leaves while he sings The B-I-B-L-E. Application I hope Andy can find his Bible this time. And I hope that he tries to read it every day, not just when he goes to church. God has a special message for each one of you. The Bible helps you know more about God. When you read your Bible you can learn what God wants you to do. And remember, boys and girls, what else you have learned God s Word, the Bible, is true, and it is for everyone, even boys and girls. At times you may need help to understand what you read. Whom can you ask to help you? Allow time for The Bible is God s Word Lesson 4 35

36 response. Let s take time to talk to God right now and thank Him for His message to us! Prayer Time Suggestion Thank God for the Bible, His message to us. Ask Him to help the children understand what they learn from His Word. Review Questions Before children arrive in class, hide today s Gopher Buddies Activity Sheets around the classroom. After the Gopher Buddy dialog, tell the children Andy is not the only one who lost something. Tell the children you have lost their activity sheets and you need their help to find them. Tell the children to begin looking for the sheets. As soon as an activity sheet is found, have the children stop and answer one of the review questions. 1. What is God s Word called? (The Bible) 2. Whom did God speak to in the night? (Samuel) 3. Who helped Samuel know that the message was from God? (Eli) 4. Who helped the Ethiopian man understand God s message? (Philip) 5. What should you do if you don t understand what you read in your Bible? (Ask for help) Snack Time Easy Cheesey Cracker Snack Serve Cheez-It Scrabble Junior Crackers. Give each child a serving of crackers on a small plate. Discussion Suggestion: Ask the children what song Andy Gopher was singing when he was looking for his Bible. Ask the children if they can find the letters of the B-i-b-l-e song in their snack. It might be helpful to write the letters where the children can see them. As the children look for the letters and eat their snack, review with them the things they have learned about God s Word, the Bible, in the past few weeks. 36 The Bible is God s Word Lesson 4

37 Cheesey Cracker Scrabble Mix Mix Cheez-It Scrabble Junior Crackers with pretzel sticks and m & m s in a large bowl. Give each child a serving of cracker mix on a small plate. Discussion Suggestion: Ask the children what song Andy Gopher was singing when he was looking for his Bible. Ask the children if they can find the letters of the B-i-b-l-e song in their snack. It might be helpful to write the letters where the children can see them. As the children look for the letters and eat their snack, review with them the things they have learned about God s Word, the Bible, in the past few weeks. Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (The Bible is God s Word Lesson 4) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. What is all true? (God s Word) 2. What does the Bible help you know? (It helps me know more about God and what He wants me to do.) 3. What do you need to do to hear God s message? (Open my Bible and read it) 4. Whom is God s Word for? (For everyone, for me) 5. Name one thing you have learned about the Bible. (Answers will vary) Prayer Time Thank God for His message to us. Suggested sentence prayer Thank you God for giving us Your Word, the Bible. Thank you that Your Word is true and that it is for everyone, even me. The Bible is God s Word Lesson 4 37

38 Scripture Memory Time Verse: Luke 11:28b Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version the children will be learning. God will bless us when we hear AND obey His Word. We have learned the past few weeks that God s Word is true, that it is for everyone, and that God has given us people to help us understand and obey His Word. Say the verse aloud several times including the reference. Then, ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Simon Says Say Your Bible Verse Have the children stand up and spread out to give themselves room to play this version of Simon Says. Tell the children the rules of Simon Says. Every three or four instructions say Simon Says Say Your Bible Verse. All the children should repeat the Bible verse. Continue to play as time allows. Variation: Play Simon Says as usual, but when a child is out, they have to say the Bible verse to get back in. Game Time Bible Bookmark Craft This week s lesson offers an excellent opportunity to make a simple craft, a Bible bookmark. Provide children with a 7-inch by 2-inch piece of cardstock or construction paper. Have markers and stickers available for children to decorate their bookmark. If time allows, write the Bible verse on bookmarks. Use a hole punch to make a hole at the top of the bookmark. Have children loop yarn or ribbon through the hole to complete their project. Learning Link: Once children have completed their bookmarks, remind them of the importance of reading God s Word each day. Tell them they can use the bookmarks they made to mark their places as they read their Bibles. 38 The Bible is God s Word Lesson 4

39 Game Time Bible Hunt Tell the children that Andy Gopher needs their help to find his Bible. Have the kids close their eyes and hide a Bible somewhere in the room. Then let the children look for Andy s Bible. The child who finds the Bible can hide the Bible for the next round. To make it more fun, have Andy Gopher give the game directions to the children and cheer them on as they look for his Bible. Take the opportunity when Andy s Bible is found to review with the children how to correctly hold and take care of God s Word. Learning Link: After playing the game, remind the children that Andy learned that it is important to try and read your Bible each day, just not at church. Review with the children they things they have learned about God s Word. The Bible is God s Word Lesson 4 39

40 40 The Bible is God s Word Lesson 4

41 God Made All Things Scripture Passage: Genesis 1:1-19 Lesson Objective and Application Children will learn that God spoke and created the heavens and earth, everything in the sky, the water, land, and vegetation. The children will also understand that all these things were created on the first four days of creation. At the conclusion of this lesson, the children will name someone they can tell that God made all things. They will pray and thank God for creating all things. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible Scripture Memory Bible Game Time BASIC GAME No additional supplies needed ADVANCED GAME Six beanbags (three per team) Two sets (one set per team) laminated shapes of the sun, a moon, and a star Tape for marking floor God the Creator Lesson 1 41

42 Bible Lesson Introduction Boys and girls, I want you to try and picture nothing. Pause for a moment while the children imagine. I think that is a hard thing to do. Now I want you to close your eyes. Everyone shut your eyes really tightly. Do you see anything? Pause and let children think about your question. Even when you close your eyes, you still see something, don t you? You see darkness. Now open your eyes. The Bible tells us that in the beginning God created the whole world. But before God created the world there was nothing here no people, no water, no plants, no animals, no sun or stars. There wasn t even any darkness. I need you to listen closely to our Bible lesson this week so you can learn how God created our beautiful world. Let s ask God to help you do that before I begin. Pray that the children will listen carefully to what the Bible says about how God created everything. Lesson Our Bible lesson today is found in the book of Genesis. If you open to the beginning of your Bible, Genesis is right here. Show the children where Genesis is in your Bible. Genesis is the very first book in the Bible. Listen carefully, boys and girls, as I read Genesis 1:1 to see Who created the heavens and the earth. Read Genesis 1:1 aloud. Who created the heavens and the earth? Allow time for response. God created the heavens and the earth! Read Genesis 1:3, 5a aloud. God spoke and said, Let there be light. And then there was light. I want you to put on your pretend sunglasses now so the bright light won t hurt your eyes. Have the children pretend to put on sunglasses using their index finger and thumb to make the lenses and placing them over their eyes. The Bible says God called the light day. Then He made darkness and called the darkness night. Let s see, something we do when it is dark is sleep. To help us remember that God made the dark, I want you to pretend you are sleeping. Show children how to put the palms of their hands together to make a pillow and then rest their head on the pillow. Don t forget to take off your sunglasses before you fall asleep. Have the children do this motion. All these things were created on the very first day of creation! We ll call this day one. The Bible tells us in Genesis 1:6 about the things God created on day two. God spoke and created the sky and the waters. That means that when He spoke, oceans, seas, and lakes appeared. Let s pretend to swim in one of the oceans God made by moving our arms. Have children move their arms like they are swimming in the water. So we know God created the heavens and the earth, light and darkness on day one. He made the sky and the water on day two. I wonder what God created on day three. I m going to read Genesis 1:11 to see if we can find the answer. Read Genesis 1:11 aloud. Boys and girls, what three things did God create on day three? Allow time for response. Follow me as I make hand motions so you can remember what God created on day three. God spoke 42 God the Creator Lesson 1

43 and there was grass. Wiggle your fingers to make them look like grass growing. Pause and allow the children to do the motion. God spoke and there were plants. Now, let s pretend to be plants. Put one hand in front of the other and let one hand wiggle like it is growing. Pause again while the children do the motion. God spoke and there were fruit trees. Hold your arms out as if they were branches. Pause to let the children do the motion. I m going to read this verse again. As I read it, listen carefully, and do the motions for the words as I m reading. Read Genesis 1:11 again as the children act out the motions. How many things did God create on day three? Allow time for response. What were they? Allow time for response. Listen to Genesis 1:16 to learn what things God created on day four. Read Genesis 1:16 aloud. If you look up into the sky, you can see what God created on day four. God spoke and made the stars. Raise your hands up and open and close your fingers like the stars that twinkle at night. The Bible also says God made two great lights. The greater light was to rule the day. Let s all make a great, big light. Let me see you make a great, big circle with both arms above your head to look like a great, big light. Show the children how to do the motion. What do we call the light we see during the day? Allow time for response (The sun). Now, let s have everyone make a small circle with their hands. Tell me what the smaller light that we see at night is called. Allow time for response (The moon). Now we have learned that when God spoke on day four, He created the stars, sun, and moon. Do the motions for these three things as you say them. Let s see if we can remember what God created on the first four days of creation. I will do the motions for each day to make it a little easier. Repeat the motions used earlier to help reinforce what the children learned. What did God create on day one? Allow time for response. God created the heavens, the earth, the light, and the darkness. Now can you tell me what God created on day two? Allow time for response. God created the sky and the water. How about day three? Allow time for response. God created grass, plants, and trees. What did God create on day four? Allow time for response. God created the sun, moon, and stars. Application God is an amazing God! He made all the things we talked about in our lesson just by speaking. Now, boys and girls, when you speak this week you won t be able to make really great stuff like God did those first four days. But when you talk to your friends and family this week you can tell someone what happened on the first four days of creation. You can tell them that God made all things! He is the Creator! Who can you think of that you can tell about God s creation? Don t forget, this week we only learned about the first four days of creation. Make sure to come back next time to hear the rest of the story. God the Creator Lesson 1 43

44 Prayer Time Suggestion Thank God for creating the world and all the lights in the sky. Thank Him for creating the green grass, plants, and trees. Review Questions Tell the boys and girls you are going to ask them questions about the Bible lesson. Tell them you want them to answer the questions using the motions they learned in the Bible lesson. 1. What did God create on day one? (The heavens, the earth, light, darkness) 2. What did God create on day two? (The sky and waters) 3. Name one thing God created on day three. (Grass, plants, trees) 4. What is the light we see during the day called? (The sun) 5. What is the light we see at nighttime called? (The moon) Snack Time Day and Night Cookie Snack Serve the children Oreo cookies and milk. Discussion Suggestion: Review with the children that on the first day, God made light and called it day. He called the darkness night. Show the children how to separate their cookie. The middle part can remind them that God made the light, day. The outside part can remind them that God separated the light from the darkness and called the darkness night. If you would like, give each child an extra Oreo cookie in a bag to take home with them. Encourage them to give the cookie to someone and tell them that God made all things. 44 God the Creator Lesson 1

45 Sun, Moon, and Star Sugar Cookies Serve sugar cookies shaped like a round, yellow sun; round, white moon; and yellow star. If you prefer not to serve cookies, use a cookie cutter to cut these shapes from other things such as bread, gelatin, cheese, bologna, pancakes, etc. Discussion Suggestion: Talk with the children about how the sun, moon, and star cookies remind us of the bright lights God made on day four of creation. God made the sun to shine during the day and the moon and stars to shine at night. Encourage the children to think of someone they can tell in the coming week that God made all things. Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (God the Creator Lesson 1) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. In what book of the Bible is the story of creation? (Genesis) 2. Who created the heavens and the earth? (God) 3. How did God create everything? (He spoke) 4. Name one person you can tell this week that God made all things. (Answers will vary.) 5. What s your favorite thing God created in the first four days of creation? (Answers will vary.) Prayer Time Thank God for all the things He made. Suggested sentence prayer Dear God, help me to remember to tell all things. that You made God the Creator Lesson 1 45

46 Scripture Memory Time Verse: Genesis 1:1 Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. This verse tells us that God created the heavens and earth. He created everything in the sky. God created the water, trees, and plants. God made all things! Say the verse aloud several times including the reference. Then ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Light and Dark, Loud and Soft After practicing the Bible verse, remind the children that God created the heavens and the earth; light and dark; all growing things; and the sun, moon and stars. Tell the children you want them to pretend that the light in your room is the sun. When you turn the light on, it is daytime and they can be loud. They need to shout the Bible verse when it is daytime. However, when you turn the light off, it is nighttime and they need to be quiet. Tell them you want them to whisper the Bible verse when the light is off. Repeat as time allows. Note: If your room will be too dark with the light off, bring a flashlight or lamp to leave on during the activity. Game Time Moon, Moon, Star Have the children sit in a circle on the floor. In the same way you play Duck, Duck, Goose, you will play Moon, Moon, Star. Choose one child to be It. Have them walk around the outside of the circle. As they walk, have them gently tap the children on the head and say, moon. The child should keep saying moon with each tap until they tap someone and say star. At this point, the child who was tapped should get up and chase the other child around the circle, trying to tag them before the first child takes their seat. Continue playing until each child has had a turn be It. 46 God the Creator Lesson 1

47 Learning Link: Before you begin the game, ask the children what the two different lights were that God put into the night sky. Tell the children that this game will help us to remember the names of these lights. Remind the children to tell someone in the coming week that God made everything. Creation Bean Bag Toss Divide the children into two groups. Make two lines on the floor with tape for the children to stand behind when tossing the beanbags. Spread out the two sets of laminated sun, moon, and stars in front of the lines. Give the starting child from each team three or four beanbags. When you say go, they will toss the beanbags, trying to land them on the laminated items. When they have tossed all the beanbags, have them retrieve them and hand them off to the next child in line. Be sure to encourage the children in the groups to cheer for each other. Adjust the number of groups according to the number of children. Repeat as time allows. For variation, have the children call out the name of the shape where their beanbag lands. Learning Link: Ask the children if they can remember what the name of the light was that God put in the sky that we see during the day. What are the names of the lights God created for the sky at night? Remind the children to tell someone in the coming week that God made everything! God the Creator Lesson 1 47

48 48 God the Creator Lesson 1

49 God Creates the Animals Scripture Passage: Genesis 1:20-25 Lesson Objective and Application Children will learn that God created birds, fish, and land animals on days five and six of creation. The children will also know that no one else can do the things that God can do. At the conclusion of this lesson, the children will pray and thank God that no one else can do the things that He can do. They will also thank Him for creating one specific thing. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible Small box or basket Assorted animals pictures, plastic, stuffed (mixture of birds, fish, farm, and zoo animals) Scripture Memory Bible Animal used in Bible lesson Portable CD player and music Game Time BASIC GAME Index cards Animal stickers or pictures Small box, basket, or bag ADVANCED GAME Poster board with a large picture of an animal attached to it Animal tails made from construction paper or other material, one per child Tape or stickytack Blindfold God the Creator Lesson 2 49

50 Bible Lesson Introduction Boys and girls, have you ever gone to the zoo? Tell me one animal you saw on your trip to the zoo. Allow time for response. Have you ever been to a farm? What kinds of animals did you see there? Allow time for response. Maybe some of you have a pet at home, or you have seen birds and squirrels in your yard. Wow, there are many different kinds of animals in the world, aren t there? I brought some animals with me today. I thought it would be fun to play a game to see if you can name all the animals in my box. Have the children take turns coming to the front, choosing an animal from the box, and telling its name and the sound it makes. In our last lesson, we learned that God made the heavens and earth, the land, the sea, the sky, plants, trees, and flowers. Do you think God made all the animals, too? Let s listen to the Bible story to find out who made all the animals. First, let s pray. Thank God that His Word, the Bible, is all true. Pray that the children will learn from His Word. Lesson I am going to open God s Word, the Bible, to the book of Genesis, chapter one so we can learn Who made all the animals. Last time we read in the Bible about the first four days of creation. Count along with me on your fingers to four. Lead the children in counting to four using their fingers. Boys and girls, what number comes after the number four? Allow time for response. That s right, number five. God s Word tells us in Genesis 1:20 what God created on day five. The Bible says that on day five God made fish and animals that swim in the water. Can someone tell me the name of an animal that swims in the water? Allow time for response. The Bible says God also made birds on day five. What are the names of some different kinds of birds? Allow time for response. God s Word tells us in Genesis 1:21 that when God looked around at all that He had made on day five, He saw that it was good. Boys and girls, do you think God was finished with creation now? Let s use our fingers again to count the days of creation we have talked about so far. Lead the children in counting one through five on their fingers. Now what number comes after five? Number six comes next. The Bible tells us in Genesis 1:24 and 25 that God made more living things on day six. God made animals that creep on the earth. Name some animals that move along the ground. Allow time for response. Many of these animals have legs. But what about a snake? Does it have legs? Does it creep? It sort of slithers, doesn t it? Make a slithering motion with your hands. God made snakes, too. The Bible tells us in Genesis 1:25 that God saw that everything He made was good. God was happy with what He had made. God made some amazing and interesting animals, didn t He? Boys and girls, do you have a favorite animal? Let s take turns sharing what our favorite animal is. Let s see if we can also remember if it was created on 50 God the Creator Lesson 2

51 day five or day six. Call on each child to name their favorite animal. Help them recall which day it was created. Application God made such a beautiful world for you to live in. He made so many amazing animals, too. Do you think you could make a real animal like God did? No, you could never do something like that. God is so great that He created all the animals just by speaking a word. It is important to remember that God is the Creator. He is the One who made everything you see around you. No one else can do the things that God can do! Let s thank God for all the animals He made. Prayer Time Suggestion Thank God for all the amazing animals He made. Thank Him for being the Creator of the world and all living things. Review Questions Remind the children they have now learned all about the first six days of creation. Tell them you are going to ask them questions about today s Bible lesson. After you ask each question, lead them in counting to six together before anyone answers the question. 1. Name one kind of animal that God created on day five. (Fish, animals that swim in the water) 2. What other kind of animals did God make on day five? (Birds) 3. What did God see when He looked around at all the animals He had made? (He saw that it was good.) 4. What animals did God create on day six? (Animals that move and creep on the earth) 5. Who is the Creator of all living things and the world we live in? (God) God the Creator Lesson 2 51

52 Snack Time Creation Critter Snack Mix Serve a trail mix made of animal crackers, fish crackers, raisins, pretzels, or other items mixed together. Discussion Suggestion: Discuss with the children the different animals God created. Talk about what animal crackers they have. Can they remember what day God created these animals? Review with the children that no one else can do the things that God can do. God is so great that He created all the animals just by speaking a word. Aquatic Gelatin Make enough blue gelatin for your group size. Pour the gelatin into small, clear plastic cups. Add a few gummy fish to each cup and refrigerate till hardened. Discussion Suggestion: Discuss with the children how they learned in this lesson that God made the animals that swim in the water on the fifth day of creation. Have the children name animals that swim in the ocean or water. Review with children that on the sixth day of creation God made the animals that walk on the dry land. Have the children name different kinds of animals that walk on the land. Review with the children that no one else can do the things that God can do. God is so great that He created all the animals just by speaking a word. Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (God the Creator Lesson 2) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. Where do we read about God creating the world? (God s Word, the Bible) 2. How did God create the animals? (He spoke.) 3. Can anyone else do the things that God can do? (No) 4. Name your favorite animal that God made. (Answers will vary.) 52 God the Creator Lesson 2

53 Prayer Time Thank God that He is the Creator. He is the One who made everything. Suggested sentence prayer Dear God, thank you that no one else can do the things that you can do. Thank you for creating. Scripture Memory Time Verse: Genesis 1:1 Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version the children will be learning. This verse tells us that God created the heavens and earth. He created everything in the sky. God created the water, trees, and plants. He also made all the amazing animals on days five and six. Say the verse aloud several times including the reference. Ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Musical Zoo Have the children sit or stand in a circle. When you start the music, have the children pass one of the animals used in the Bible lesson introduction around the circle. After a brief time, stop the music. Have the children say the verse as a group. Repeat as time allows. Variation: While the children pass the animal around the circle, you say the Bible verse. The child holding the animal, when you are done saying the verse, receives a small prize (sticker, candy, Gopher Buddies hand stamp). Be sure all the children receive a prize. Children who haven t held the animal can be given a prize for playing nicely. God the Creator Lesson 2 53

54 Game Time Animal Charades Attach the animal stickers or pictures to the index cards and place them into the box, basket, or bag. The children should be seated on the floor. One at a time, choose a child to come to the front of the room and take a card from the bag. The child should then act out the animal they have chosen with sounds and/or actions. Other children should raise their hands to guess the animal. Help shy or more timid children in acting out the animal. Vary the activity by having a leader draw a card and allow the group to act out the animal together. Repeat until all the children have had a turn or as time allows. Learning Link: Talk with the children about how this activity helps them to think about all the amazing animals God created. Each animal is different from the others. God made them all to move in different ways, make different sounds, and have their own special appearance. Some animals have feathers, some have fins, and some have legs or paws only God can do such marvelous things! Pin the Tail on the Animal Attach the poster board with the picture of the animal to the wall. A low easel or large bulletin board that can be steadied by a leader or leaned against a table or wall will also work well. A poster or premade game is another option to use for this activity. Line the children up and explain the game to them. Have a leader blindfold the first child. Use discretion as to whether to have the child turn around a few times before starting. The child should then try to attach the tail to the animal in the proper place using tape or sticky-tack. When they are finished, remove the blindfold and let them see how they did. Continue the game until all the children have had a turn. Repeat as time allows. Learning Link: Remind the children how God created animals on day five and day six of creation. Ask the children if they think that God had to guess where to put the animals tails. Remind them God is the Creator of all these animals. He knew just what He was doing. He did not have to guess! No one else can do the things that God can do. Tell the children how thankful you are for God s creation. 54 God the Creator Lesson 2

55 God Creates Man Scripture Passage: Genesis 2:7, 9, 15-23; Genesis 3:1-24 Lesson Objective and Application Children will understand God created the first man and woman. Children will begin to understand what sin is, that it separates them from God, and learn how they can have their sin forgiven. At the conclusion of this lesson, the children will pray and thank God for creating them and loving them. The children will also thank God for sending His Son Jesus to take the punishment for their sin. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible Lesson Visuals #1 4 Scripture Memory Bible Lesson Visual #3 from Bible lesson Game Time BASIC GAME No additional supplies needed ADVANCED GAME One copy each of Stop and Go signs found in the appendix of the Bible Study Tape for marking floor Bible Lesson Introduction The past few weeks we have learned about the things God created. I have a picture here that I want to show you. Show Lesson Visual #1. In this picture you can see many of the things God created. Do you see the heavens and earth? Can you see the sky, water, and the sun? You should also see the moon and some stars. What are some other things in this picture that God created? God the Creator Lesson 3 55

56 Allow time for response. Even though there are many things in this picture that God created, I believe there is still one thing missing. Boys and girls, what do you think is missing? Look carefully at the picture. Allow time for response. You re right! I do not see any people. You have learned that in six days God spoke and created everything, but there is still more to the story of creation. I am going to open my Bible to the Book of Genesis, chapter two. Listen very closely so you can find out how God created people. Let s ask God to help you do that before I begin. Pray that the children will listen carefully to what the Bible says about how God created man. Lesson Do you remember what God created on day six? Allow time for response. That s right. He created the animals that creep, or move along, on the ground. I am going to read Genesis 2:7 so we can find out what else God created on this day. Read the passage. God made (formed) a man from the dust of the ground and breathed life into him. Does anyone know the name of the first man? Allow time for response. That s right, Adam was the first man. Show Lesson Visual #2. Okay, now I see Adam in the picture with all the things God created, but I still think something is missing. What do you think is missing in the picture? Allow time for response. Listen as I read Genesis 2:21 and 22 to see what God did next. Read Genesis 2:21 and 22. The Bible tells us God caused Adam to sleep. While Adam slept, God took one of his ribs. He used the rib to make a woman. Can you point to your ribs? Point to your ribs so the children will know where they are. The Bible tells us God then brought the woman to the man. Show Lesson Visual #3. Who knows the name of the first woman? Allow time for response. Eve was the name of the first woman. Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden. It was a wonderful place to live. There was only one rule Adam and Eve had to remember in the Garden of Eden. God said they could eat the fruit from all the trees, except for one. The tree they could not eat from was the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. The Bible tells us in Genesis 3:6 that Eve and Adam both ate fruit from this tree and then hid from God. Adam and Eve disobeyed God. The Bible tells us that this is sin. Sin is the wrong things we do, like Adam and Eve choosing to disobey God and eat from the tree. Because Adam and Eve sinned, they had to leave the beautiful Garden of Eden. Show lesson Visual #4. They had to be separated from God. How do you think that made Adam and Eve feel? Allow time for response. When you sin, this separates you from God, too. This is a very sad thing, but the Bible has some good news for us in Romans 5:8. Read Romans 5:8. This verse says God showed how much He loves you by sending His Son, Jesus, to die for you on the cross. Listen as I read another verse, Romans 6:23. Read Romans 6:23. This means we need to be punished for our sin. God sent Jesus 56 God the Creator Lesson 3

57 to take the punishment for our sin. God gave us the gift of Jesus. Jesus paid the price for your sin when He died on the cross. But, Jesus didn t stay dead. He came alive again and is now living in Heaven. The Bible tells us that if we tell God we are sorry for the wrong things we have done and believe Jesus died and came back to life, we will be saved. If you would like to do this, you can come to talk to me after our lesson and prayer time are over. Have a leader available for counseling. For detailed invitation instructions and an explanation concerning the process of leading Early Learners to Christ, please see the appendix in this Bible Study. Application God created Adam and Eve, and God created each one of you. God not only made you, but He loves you very much. God loves you so much He sent His Son Jesus to die for your sins. How does it make you feel when you think about God creating you? (Allow time for response.) How does it make you feel when you think about how much God loves you? (Allow time for response.) Let s stop and thank God now for not only creating us, but also for loving us so much. Prayer Time Suggestion Thank God for creating us. Thank Him for loving us so much and sending His Son Jesus to take the punishment for our sin. Review Questions Review the days of creation with the children. Remind them that God created the trees on day three of creation. Ask the children to stand up and pretend they are trees. Show them how to hold out their arms so their arms look like branches. Tell them you are going to ask them questions about the Bible lesson. When they think they know the answer, they should shake their arms (branches) all around. 1. What was the name of the first man? (Adam) 2. What was the name of the first woman? (Eve) 3. How did God make Eve? (From Adam s rib) 4. Where did Adam and Eve live? (Garden of Eden) 5. How did God show us that He loves us? (By sending Jesus to die for us on the cross) God the Creator Lesson 3 57

58 Snack Time Dust Pudding Purchase individual pudding cups or serve pudding to the children in individual cups or bowls. (A small paper cup with plastic spoon will work well.) In advance, crumble up some graham crackers, vanilla wafers, or sandwich cookies. Allow each child to scoop some dust from the bag and sprinkle it on top of their pudding. Serve with milk. Discussion Suggestion: Talk with the children about how they pretended that they were sprinkling dust onto their pudding. Did those crumbs look like dust? In the lesson, we learned God created Adam from the dust of the ground. Could we create a man from dust? No, only God can do such an amazing thing. God loved Adam, and He loves us, too. He loves us so much that He made a way for us to be with Him forever. Tell the children how thankful you are that God created them and that they have come to Gopher Buddies this week. Pretzel Stick People Pretzel sticks Marshmallows Gum drops Cheese cubes Meat cubes Use any combination of the suggested ingredients above to let the children make a stick person to munch on during snack time this week. Serve with milk or juice. Discussion Suggestion: Talk with the children about how they made pretend people with the pretzel sticks and other ingredients. In the lesson, we learned God created Adam from the dust of the ground. We can make pretzel people, but is it possible to create a real man? Can we create a man from dust? No, only God can do such an amazing thing. God loved Adam, and He loves us, too. He loves us so much that He made a way for us to be with Him forever. Tell the children how thankful you are that God created them and that they have come to Gopher Buddies this week. 58 God the Creator Lesson 3

59 Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (God the Creator Lesson 3) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. How did Adam and Eve disobey God? (By eating the fruit from the tree) 2. What is sin? (The wrong things I do) 3. Why did Jesus die on the cross? (To take the punishment for my sin) 4. How much does God love you? (So much that He sent His Son to die on the cross for my sin) 5. How does it make you feel when you think about God s love for you? (Answers will vary) Prayer Time Thank God for creating the children in your group. Suggested sentence prayer Thank you God for creating me and loving me so much that You sent Your Son Jesus to die on the cross for my sins. Scripture Memory Time Verse: Genesis 1:1 Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. This verse tells us that God created the heavens and earth. He created everything in the sky. God created the water, trees, and plants. Today we learned that God created people. Say the verse aloud several times including the reference. Then have the children repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Name the Picture Show the children Lesson Visual #3 from the Bible lesson. Ask the children to raise their hands to name something specific in the picture. After a child answers, have them (or the entire group) repeat the verse including reference. Repeat until each child has a chance to respond or as time allows. God the Creator Lesson 3 59

60 Game Time Gopher Buddy Hop Divide the children into pairs. If there is an odd number of children, recruit a leader to join the game. Children should scatter around the room and begin hopping up and down holding their partner s hands. When you call out, Stop the Hop, the children should stop moving. The children then tell their partner something God created. Play as many rounds as time allows. Variation: Play music while the children hop. Stop the music as a signal for them to stop hopping. Learning Link: Review the things that God created with the children. Remind them that God created them, too. Tell them how thankful you are for God s creation. Red Light, Green Light Mark a starting line and finish line on the floor. Line the children up facing you behind the starting line. Stand behind the finish line or in an out-of-the-way area where the children can see you. When you say Green Light and hold up the Go sign, the children should walk toward the finish line. When you say Red Light and hold up the Stop sign, the children should stop. Any child who doesn t stop when you hold up the Stop sign goes back to the starting line. The child who crosses the finish line first is the winner. Variation: Hold up only the signs and do not say Green Light, Red Light. Learning Link: Adam and Eve needed to listen to God when He told them not to eat from the tree. Remind the children they also need to listen to God and to their parents, teachers, and leaders. Tell the children that playing this game will help them to work on being good listeners. 60 God the Creator Lesson 3

61 Gopher Buddies Review Lesson Scripture Passage: Genesis 1:1-19; Genesis 1:20-25; Genesis 2:7, 9, 15-23; Genesis 3:1-24 Lesson Objective and Application This lesson will reinforce and review the material covered in lesson one, two, and three of this module. At the conclusion of this lesson, the children will name someone they can tell that God made everything. They will also be able to name two things that God created. Supply List Bible Lesson Father Gopher puppet Emily Gopher puppet Nail Visual #3 from Lesson 3 Scripture Memory Bible Memory Cube Game Time BASIC GAME Various kinds of fruit (choose unusual fruits if possible) Two baskets or buckets Tape for marking floor ADVANCED GAME Portable CD player and music Star Pattern from Games Idea Index God the Creator Lesson 4 61

62 Bible Lesson Gopher Puppet Dialog Teacher: Boys and girls, hasn t it been fun learning about God s Creation? Emily Gopher pops up with a nail in her hand looking around as if she lost something. Teacher: Well, hi there, Emily. You look like you need help finding something. Emily: Boy, I sure do. Dad and I were going to build a birdhouse, but I can t find the hammer anywhere. Have you seen it? Teacher: No, Emily, I m sorry, I haven t seen your hammer. If you can wait a little bit, I ll be glad to help you find it. You see, I was just getting ready to talk with the children about God creating the world and everything in it. Emily: Boy, I bet God needed a lot of tools and stuff when He was creating the world. Teacher: You know what, Emily? God didn t need to use tools to create anything. Emily: You mean He didn t have to use a hammer and nails or any other tools? Teacher: No, Emily, He didn t have to use any of those things. Emily: If God didn t have to use any of those things, then how did He create everything? Teacher: Boys and girls, can you tell Emily how God created the world? Allow time for response. That s right. The children learned God created the whole world just by speaking. Make sure that the children understand that God did not speak to create Adam and Eve. Emily: Wow, there s no way I could do that and neither could anybody else. Only God could create things by just speaking. Father Gopher appears and looks around as if he has lost something. Emily: Hi, Daddy! Guess what I just learned. God didn t have to use any tools to create the world. He just spoke and created it all. 62 God the Creator Lesson 4

63 Father Gopher: That s right, Emily. Did you know God created everything in six days and rested on the seventh day? (Insert teacher s name), do the boys and girls know some of the things God created? Teacher: They sure do. Boys and girls, let s look at this picture from last time to help us remember. Show Visual #3 from Lesson 3. Let s see, on day one what did God create? Point to the heavens and earth on Visual #3. Allow time for response. That s right; He created the heavens, the earth, the light, and the darkness. Can you tell Emily and Father Gopher what was created on day two? Point to the sky and water, allowing time for children to respond. That s great, boys and girls! God created the sky and the water. Emily: OH, BOY! What was created on days three and four? Point to the grass, plants, trees, sun, moon, and stars as children respond. Father Gopher: Emily and I like going out at night to look up at the twinkling stars. Emily: Hey, I haven t heard anything about animals yet. When did God create all of the animals? Teacher: Well, Emily, the boys and girls learned on days five and six God created the animals. Boys and girls, what kind of animals did God create? Allow time for response. That s right, birds and fish and animals that walk on the ground like lions and bugs. Emily: I m glad God created bugs. I like watching bugs crawl around. And I like furry dogs. But (insert teacher s name), when did God create people? Teacher: The Bible tells us that on day six of creation, God took dust from the ground and made a man. Father Gopher: Boys and girls, what was the man s name? Allow time for response. Teacher: That s right; God named him Adam. God had one more thing to create. He put Adam into a deep sleep, and God took one of Adam s ribs and made a wife for him. Father Gopher: The wife that God made for Adam was named Eve. Teacher: Yes, Father Gopher, that s right. Father Gopher: Speaking of wives, I promised Mother Gopher we would finish this birdhouse today. Emily and I need to find that hammer and get to work. We sure have enjoyed the boys and girls telling us all about God s Creation. God the Creator Lesson 4 63

64 Teacher: Goodbye, come back again and see us soon. Application Boys and Girls, God is amazing! I hope you remember that God is the Creator. He is the One who made everything you see around you. You have learned the past few weeks that God made all the stars, the sun, and the moon. He made animals, birds, and fish. And don t forget, Who made you? (Allow time for response.) That s right; God made each one of you. No one else can do the things that God can do! Can you think of someone you can tell that God made everything? Let s stop and pray. Let s thank God for His awesome Creation. Prayer Time Suggestion Thank God for all the many things He created. Ask Him to help the children remember how great He is to have created such wonderful things. Review Questions Remind the children that Emily and Father Gopher were using a hammer and nails to build a birdhouse. Tell them that when they think they know the answer to the questions, to pretend they are a hammering a nail. Practice pretending to hammer a nail with the children. 1. Who created all things? (God) 2. Can anyone else do the things that God can do? (No) 3. From what did God create Adam? (From the dust of the ground) 4. What did God create on days one and two? (The heavens and the earth, the sky and the water) 5. What did God create on days five and six? (Birds, fish, land animals, man, woman) 64 God the Creator Lesson 4

65 Snack Time Emily Gopher s Favorite Fish Snack Serve fish-shaped crackers and blue juice. Discussion Suggestion: Talk with the children about all the wonderful things God made. Tell them you hope their snack will remind them that God made all the fish (crackers) and the water (blue juice). Ask them to be thinking of someone they can tell this week that God made everything. Mother Gopher s Creation Cupcakes Make cupcakes and frost with blue icing. Put several fish-shaped crackers on top of the icing. Serve with milk. Discussion Suggestion: Talk with the children about all the different things God created. Tell them you hope their snack will remind them that God made the water and the fish that swim. Ask them to be thinking of someone they can tell this week that God made everything. Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (God the Creator Lesson 4) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. How many days did it take God to create everything? (Six) 2. How did God create the world? (He just spoke) 3. Name one person you can tell this week that God created everything. (Answers will vary) 4. Name two things that you are thankful God created. (Answers will vary) 5. What did God do on day seven? (He rested) Prayer Time Ask God to help the children share what they have learned with others. God the Creator Lesson 4 65

66 Suggested sentence prayer Dear God, help me to tell others about how You created the world and everything in it. Scripture Memory Time Verse: Genesis 1:1 Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. This verse tells us that God created the heavens and the earth. He created everything in the sky. God created the water, trees, and plants. He created all the animals and people, too. Say the verse aloud including the reference several times. Then, ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Memory Cube Have the children stand in a circle. A leader should toss the cube into the center of the circle. When the cube lands, have all the children recite the verse, including the reference (in the version you are using) in the same position as the picture shows. (Bible person who tossed the cube acts out reading the verse from a Bible while reciting the verse; Question mark person who tossed the cube chooses how the group says the verse; Hand on head entire group pats their head as they say the verse; Hand on knees entire group pats their knees while they say the verse; Leg in air entire group says the verse while standing on one leg; Clapping hands entire group claps their hands in rhythm as they say the verse.) Choose a child to toss the cube next. Keep tossing the cube and reciting the verse until each child has had a turn or as time allows. For a variation of the game, have the child who tosses the cube say the verse alone. 66 God the Creator Lesson 4

67 Game Time Fruit Basket Relay Mark a starting line and finish line on the floor with tape. Divide the children into two teams. Line them up in two lines, spreading out between the start and finish lines. Put a basket at the finish line. Have the children pass various fruits along the line in different ways (overhand, underhand, under leg, gentle toss, etc.). The child at the end of the line should put the fruit into the basket. Continue until each team s fruit is all in the basket. Repeat as time allows. Move the children around so each has the chance to put the fruit into the basket, if possible. Learning Link: Tell the children that you have enjoyed learning about God s Creation with them these past few weeks. Identify all the fruits you are using in the relay. Ask the children what their favorite fruit is. Ask them who made all the fruit. Encourage them to tell someone in the coming week that God made everything! Star Light, Star Bright Before class, make star shapes cut from construction paper or cardstock. A star pattern may be found in the Game Ideas appendix. Make one star for each child in your class. At game time, spread the stars out on the floor of the playing area. When the music begins to play, have children move around the room. When the music stops, have them find a star and stand by it. For each round, vary the movements the children should do. For example: hop, tiptoe, hop on one foot, and stomp. Continue playing as time allows. Variation: Place one less star than children on the floor. When the music stops, the child who is not by a star names one thing God created and then sits down. Remove one star after each round of play. Continue playing until one child remains. Learning Link: Tell the children that you have enjoyed learning about God s Creation with them these past few weeks. Ask the children Who made the stars. Do they remember which day God made the stars? Remind the children that God made everything. Send a star home with each child to remind them to tell someone in the coming week that God made everything. God the Creator Lesson 4 67

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69 Jesus Goes to His Father s House Scripture Passage: Luke 2:39-52 Lesson Objective and Application Children will begin to understand that Jesus is the Son of God. They will learn that even though Jesus is God s Son, it was still important for Him to learn more about God. At the conclusion of this lesson, the children will name something they can do in the coming week to learn more about God. They will pray and ask God to help them learn more about Him. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible Lesson Visuals #1-4 Scripture Memory Bible One index card per child (half numbered 1 and half numbered 2 ) Game Time BASIC GAME No additional supplies needed ADVANCED GAME Golf umbrella or blanket Bible Lesson Introduction Boys and girls, have you ever gone to a crowded place with your family, but suddenly you looked around and couldn t find your parents anywhere? What did you do? Allow time for response. Maybe you went and found someone to help you. Maybe you just stayed in exactly the same spot and waited for your parents to find you. How did you feel? Allow time for response. Being lost from your parents can be really scary. This week we are going to learn about a time when God s Son, Jesus, was a boy and His parents thought He was lost. Let s look into God s Word together and learn more about what happened. First, let s pray and ask God to help us as we learn. Ask God to help the children learn from His Word, the Bible, in your lesson this week. Jesus is God s Son Lesson 1 69

70 Lesson I am going to open my Bible to Luke 2: The Bible tells us that when Jesus was twelve years old, He went with His family to the city of Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. This was a special holiday celebrating God s protection for His children, the Israelites. Jesus family had to walk a long way to get to Jerusalem. Once they arrived in the city, they celebrated the Passover for seven days. Show Lesson Visual #1. After the Passover celebration was over, Jesus family left the city to go back home. They walked home with a group of people from their town. After walking for one whole day, Joseph and Mary, Jesus parents, discovered that He was not with them. They began looking all over for Jesus. They looked to see if Jesus was with His friends, but His friends had not seen Him. They looked around to see if Jesus was traveling with some other family members, but they could not find Him anywhere! Oh no, Jesus was missing! Where could Jesus be? Show Lesson Visual #2. How do you think Joseph and Mary felt when they couldn t find their son? Allow time for response. Where do you think Jesus was? Allow time for response. Luke 2:46 says that Jesus had stayed behind at the temple. The temple was the place where the people learned about God. What do you think Jesus was doing at the temple? Allow time for response from children. The Bible says Jesus was listening to the teachers and asking them questions. Show Lesson Visual #3. The people at the temple were very surprised by how much Jesus knew about God and His Word. Meanwhile, Joseph and Mary were looking for Jesus everywhere. Can you imagine how upset your parents would be if they didn t know where you were? The Bible says that three days later, they finally found Jesus at the temple. Show Lesson Visual #4. Jesus had been at the temple for three whole days without His parents! Joseph and Mary had been very worried, but Jesus was not worried or scared at all. How do we know this? The Bible says that He asked Mary and Joseph why they were looking for Him. Jesus told them He needed to be in His Father s house. Now Joseph was Jesus earthly father, but Jesus was talking about His Heavenly Father. He was saying that He was God s very own Son. And, even though Jesus was God s Son, He still thought it was important to spend time at the temple learning more about His Heavenly Father. Application The Bible tells us that as Jesus grew, many people came to understand that He was the Son of God. Boys and girls, let s think about all of this for a minute. Jesus said He was God s Son. He also told Mary and Joseph that He needed to be in His Father s house. So even though Jesus was God s Son, He still thought it was important to be in God s house and learn more about Him. What things can you do to learn more about God? (Allow time for response.) That s right; you can go to church. You can come to Gopher Buddies each week and learn more about God and the things He wants you to do. You can also learn more about God by reading your Bible and doing your Quiet 70 Jesus is God s Son Lesson 1

71 Time Diary each day with a grown up. You can learn more about God by learning your memory verse this week. Wow, there are a lot of things you can do to learn more about God. Let s pray and ask God to help us be more like His Son, Jesus. Let s ask God to help us do those things that will help us learn more about Him. Prayer Time Suggestion Thank God for His Son, Jesus. Ask God to help the children want to learn more about Him. Review Questions Have the children close their eyes while you hide the four Bible Lesson Visuals around the room. Tell the children that just as Mary and Joseph looked for Jesus, you want them to look for the four pictures. After each picture is found, stop and ask the children one of the following review questions. 1. Why did Jesus and His family go to Jerusalem? (To celebrate the Passover) 2. How many days did Mary and Joseph look for Jesus? (Three) 3. Where was Jesus while He was missing from His family? (In the temple) 4. What was Jesus doing in the temple? (Listening to the teachers and asking questions) 5. Where did Jesus tell Mary and Joseph He needed to be? (In in His Father s house) Jesus is God s Son Lesson 1 71

72 Snack Time Traveling Treats Serve the children grapes, bread, crackers, and cheese. Discussion Suggestion: Talk with the children about traveling in Bible times. Jesus family would have taken food with them on their trip to Jerusalem and back. There were no fast food restaurants or grocery stores like we are used to today. Tell the children that Jesus family probably ate foods like they are eating right now. Allow the children to take turns retelling the lesson as you eat. Gopher Buddies Snack Pack Pack simple snacks of your choosing in small boxes or other containers for the children to enjoy this week. You might want to bring them in a large picnic basket. Put a napkin and snack into each container. Discussion Suggestion: Talk with the children about traveling in Bible times. Jesus family would have taken food with them on their trip to Jerusalem and back. There were no fast food restaurants or grocery stores like we are used to today. The snacks the children are enjoying are packaged for traveling. Do the children think Jesus family packed their snack exactly like this? Talk about some of the differences. Allow the children to take turns retelling the lesson as you eat. Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (Jesus is God s Son Lesson 1) Questions for Further Discussion: Where did Jesus and His family go? (Jerusalem) 2. Who were Jesus parents? (Joseph and Mary) 3. Who was Jesus Heavenly Father? (God) 4. Who is Jesus? (He is God s Son.) 5. Name one thing you are going to try to do this week to learn more about God. (Answers will vary) 72 Jesus is God s Son Lesson 1

73 Prayer Time Thank God for His Son, Jesus. Suggested sentence prayer Dear God, help me to learn more about You. this coming week, so I can Scripture Memory Time Verse: John 20:31b Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. The Bible tells us that Jesus is God s very own Son. Say the verse aloud several times including the reference. Then ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Number Pickup Have an index card for each child. Half the cards should have a number 1 written on them; the other half should have a number 2 on them. Spread the index cards face down on the floor in an open area. As you say the verse and reference aloud, have the children walk around the cards. When you are finished saying the verse, shout out, Number Pickup. The children should then stop and pick up the card closest to them. Have all the children holding a 1 card say the verse and reference together. Then have all the children holding a 2 card say the verse and reference together. Repeat the game as time allows. A variation of this game would be to play music while the children are walking around, and when the music stops they pick up a card. Another variation, choose just one child at a time from the 1s or 2s to say the verse. Game Time Walking to Jerusalem Have the children line up behind one of the leaders in a single-file line. The leader should then lead the group around the room pretending to walk to Jerusalem. The leader can walk, run, hop, skip, or do any other action that the children can easily copy. As each action is done, the leader goes to the back of the line and the next child becomes the leader. Continue until all the children have had a turn being the leader. Repeat as time allows. Jesus is God s Son Lesson 1 73

74 Learning Link: Review with the children about Jesus trip to Jerusalem. Remind them that Jesus stayed behind when His parents returned home. Ask the children if they remember where Jesus parents found Him. Why did Jesus say He was there? Review again that Jesus is God s Son. Remind the children that even though Jesus is God s Son, He still thought it was important to spend time at the temple so He could learn more about God. Encourage them to think of some things they can do to be like Jesus and learn more about God. Who is Missing? Have the children sit on the floor with enough space to walk between them. At the front of the room, place a large golf umbrella opened on the floor. You might also use a blanket over a table, or have a leader hold up a blanket. Have the children hide/close their eyes. While the children s eyes are closed, the leader will choose a child to very quietly come to the front of the room and hide behind the umbrella, blanket, or under the table. Then have the leader say the following to the group: Open your eyes and look around. Who is missing from the crowd? At this signal, the other children open their eyes and try to guess who is missing from the group. Repeat until all the children have had a chance to hide or as time allows. Learning Link: Review with the children that Jesus was missing in today s lesson. Ask the children if they remember where Mary and Joseph found Jesus. Why was He there? Review with them again that Jesus is God s Son. Remind them that Jesus thought it was important to be in the temple so He could learn more about God. Encourage the children to think of some things they can do to be like Jesus and learn more about God. 74 Jesus is God s Son Lesson 1

75 Jesus Does Not Sin Scripture Passage: Matthew 4:1-11 Lesson Objective and Application Children will learn that Jesus used God s Word to help Him make good choices. The children will understand that Jesus never sinned. At the conclusion of this lesson, the children will pray and ask God to help them use His Word to make good choices. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible Several small stones or rocks Scripture Memory Bible 1 copy each of the Stop and Go signs (found in the Scripture Memory Games appendix) Game Time BASIC GAME 10 or 12 pingpong balls (1 for each child) 2 buckets or sand pails Tape for marking floor ADVANCED GAME 1 brown paper lunch bag, stuffed with paper and stapled shut for a pretend stone Bible Lesson Introduction Every day we make choices. Today you had to choose what shoes to wear to Gopher Buddies. You had to choose to bring your Quiet Time and your Bible. Some choices are easy, like choosing your favorite cookie. Some choices are hard, like choosing not to hit your brother or sister when you are mad. Listen as I sing a song about making good choices. Jesus is God s Son Lesson 2 75

76 Sing to the tune of The Farmer in the Dell. I must make a choice (point to self) I must make a choice I choose to do what God s Word says (holds hands together like a book) When I must make a choice Now you try it with me! Sing together. Did you know that Jesus had to make choices, too? Some of Jesus choices were easy, but some were very hard. God s Word, the Bible, tells about some of these hard choices in Matthew chapter 4. Open your Bible to Matthew 4. Let s ask God to help us understand what we read. Thank God for giving us the Bible. Ask God to help us understand how to make good choices. Lesson Last time we were together, our Bible lesson was about a time when Jesus was just twelve years old. We learned Jesus is God s Son. In our lesson today, Jesus is all grown up. Matthew chapter 4 begins by telling us that Jesus had been out in the desert. A desert is a place where it is usually very hot and dry. There is lots and lots of sand in a desert. He had not eaten anything for many, many days. Boys and girls, how do you think Jesus felt? Allow time for response. Jesus was very hungry. However, Jesus was not worried; He knew God would take care of Him and would give Him the food He needed. The Bible also tells us Jesus was not alone. Satan came to talk Jesus into making bad choices. Satan knew Jesus was hungry. Satan showed Jesus some rocks. He told Jesus to turn the stones into bread. Jesus had to make a choice. Did He choose to trust God to take care of Him, or did He listen to Satan and make His own bread? Let s sing our song together while we think about that. Sing to the tune of The Farmer in the Dell. Ask the children to join you. I must make a choice (point to self) I must make a choice I choose to do what God s Word says (holds hands together like a book) When I must make a choice Let s read Matthew 4:4 and see what choice Jesus made. Read Matthew 4:4. Yeah! Jesus did what God s Word told Him to do! Jesus told Satan no. Jesus trusted God to take care of His hunger. Jesus made a good choice! But Satan was not done tempting Jesus. Next Satan took Jesus to the very top of the temple. Satan told Jesus to jump off the temple and tell the angels to catch Him. Jesus had to make another choice. Did He choose to wait and follow God s plan, or did He listen to Satan and do things His own way? It s time to sing our song again. Sing to the tune of The Farmer in the Dell. Ask the children to join you. I must make a choice (point to self) I must make a choice 76 Jesus is God s Son Lesson 2

77 I choose to do what God s Word says (holds hands together like a book) When I must make a choice Let s read Matthew 4:7 and see what choice Jesus made. Read Matthew 4:7. Yeah! Jesus did what God s Word told Him to do! Jesus told Satan no. Jesus waited and followed God s plan. Jesus made a good choice! But still Satan was not done tempting Jesus. Next Satan took Jesus to a very high mountain where they could see the great cities of the world. Satan promised to give all these things to Jesus if He would bow down and worship Satan. Jesus had to make a choice. Did He choose to worship only God, or did He listen to Satan and worship him? Sing to the tune of The Farmer in the Dell. Ask the children to join you. I must make a choice (point to self) I must make a choice I choose to do what God s Word says (holds hands together like a book) When I must make a choice Let s read Matthew 4:10 and see what choice Jesus made. Read Matthew 4:10. Yeah! Jesus did what God s Word told Him to do! Jesus would worship only God. Jesus made a good choice! And finally Satan left Him alone. The Bible tells us in Matthew 4:11 that God did send angels to take care of Jesus. God s Word is true and we can use it to help us make good choices. Application Sin is anything we say, think, or do that does not make God happy. The Bible tells us Jesus never made bad choices. Jesus, who is the Son of God, never sinned. When Satan tried to make Jesus do something that would not make God happy, Jesus used the Word of God to help Him make good choices not to sin. You can use God s Word, the Bible, too! You can use the verses that you have learned in Gopher Buddies to help you make choices that please God. Let s pray and ask God to help us remember His Word when we need to make choices. Prayer Time Suggestion Ask God to help us remember His Word when we need to make choices. Jesus is God s Son Lesson 2 77

78 Review Questions Scatter several small stones or rocks on the table or on the floor in front of the children. Tell the children these rocks might be like the ones Satan tempted Jesus to turn into bread. Tell the children you are going to ask them questions about the Bible story. When they think they know the answer to the question, they should grab one of the rocks. 1. Where was Jesus in the Bible story? (In the desert) 2. Into what did Satan tell Jesus to turn the stones? (Into bread) 3. Off what did Satan tell Jesus to jump? (Off the temple) 4. Whom did God send to take care of Jesus? (Angels) 5. What did Jesus use to help Him make good choices? (The Word of God) Snack Time Desert Delights Serve ice pops or frozen fruit bars for snack time this week. Discussion Suggestion: Review with the children that in today s lesson Jesus was in the desert. A desert is a very hot, dusty, and dry place. Jesus was very hungry and thirsty. He was probably very hot and tired. Satan tried to talk Him into doing wrong, but Jesus did not sin. Encourage them to remember Jesus example when they are tempted to do wrong. Remind them they can remember their Scripture memory verses to help them make choices that please God. Dessert Coolers 1 package (3 ounces) gelatin, your choice of flavor 1 envelope unsweetened drink mix, same flavor as gelatin 1 cup sugar 2 cups boiling water 2 cups cold water 78 Jesus is God s Son Lesson 2

79 In a bowl, dissolve the gelatin, drink mix, and sugar in boiling water. Stir in cold water. Pour into molds or paper cups; insert craft sticks. Freeze until firm. Makes servings. Discussion Suggestion: Review with the children that in today s Bible lesson Jesus was in the desert. A desert is a very hot, dusty, and dry place. Jesus was very hungry. He was probably very hot and tired. Satan tried to talk Him into do wrong, but Jesus did not sin. Encourage them to remember Jesus example when they are tempted to do wrong. Remind them that they can remember their Scripture memory verses to help them know what God wants them to do and to make good choices. Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (Jesus is God s Son Lesson 2) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. What did Jesus use to help Him make good choices? (The Word of God) 2. What does God call anything we say, think, or do that does not make Him happy? (Sin) 3. What can you use to help you make good choices? (The Bible) 4. Did Jesus ever sin? (No) Prayer Time Thank God that we can learn His Word to help us make good choices. Suggested sentence prayer Dear God, help me to remember your Word. Help me to use your Word to make good choices. Scripture Memory Time Verse: John 20:31b Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. This verse tells us that Jesus is the Son of God. We learned today that Jesus, God s Son, never sinned. Say the verse aloud several times including the reference. Then ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Jesus is God s Son Lesson 2 79

80 Activity Stop and Go Make one copy of the Stop and Go signs found in the Scripture Memory Games appendix of the Bible Study. Hold up the Stop and Go signs. Tell the children when you hold up the Go sign they should begin saying the Bible verse. When you hold up the Stop sign, they should stop saying the verse until you hold up the Go sign again. Repeat as time allows. Game Time Stone Drop Make a starting line with tape on the floor. Divide the children into two teams and line them up by teams behind the starting line. Place two buckets or pails across the room. Give each child a ping-pong ball. Tell them to pretend the ping-pong balls are stones. When you say go, the first player in each team will run to the bucket, drop the ping-pong ball (stone) into the bucket, run back, tag the child who is next in line and then sit down. Repeat as time allows, varying the relay each time (run backwards to the bucket, jump, hop, tiptoe, etc.). Learning Link: Talk with the children about the game. In the lesson, they learned about a time when Jesus was in the desert and was very hungry. The desert was hot and dry and there were a lot of big stones and rocks. What did Satan try to tempt Jesus to do with the stones? What did Jesus do to help Him make a good choice? Remind the children that in this week s lesson, they learned how Jesus used God s Word to help Him make good choices when He was tempted. Encourage the children to remember God s Word this week to help them make good choices. 80 Jesus is God s Son Lesson 2

81 Run for the Stone Use tape to mark two lines on the floor on opposite sides of the room. Divide children into two teams. Have each team stand behind the marked lines facing each other. Place the paper bag stone in the center between the two lines. Call two children s names from opposite teams. After you call their names, have them run out and try to get the stone first and run back to their team line. Continue playing until each child has a turn to run for the stone or as time allows. Learning Link: Talk with the children about the game. In the lesson, they learned about a time when Jesus was in the desert and was very hungry. The desert was hot and dry and there were a lot of big stones and rocks. What did Satan try to tempt Jesus to do with the stones? What did Jesus do to help Him make a good choice? Remind the children that in this week s lesson, they learned how Jesus used God s Word to help Him make good choices when He was tempted. Encourage the children to remember God s Word this week to help them make good choices. Jesus is God s Son Lesson 2 81

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83 Nicodemus Visits God s Son Scripture Passage: John 3:1-4, 7, 9, 16 Lesson Objective and Application Children will understand that Jesus is the Son of God. They will understand how they can get to Heaven and will have an opportunity to receive Christ. At the conclusion of this lesson, the children will name a person they can tell the Good News about Jesus. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible A flashlight A map A Bible with Romans 6:23 marked A globe A bag to hold the flashlight, map, Bible, and globe Scripture Memory Bible Portable CD player and music Game Time BASIC GAME Portable CD player and music ADVANCED GAME Small coin or other treasure Bible Lesson Introduction Boys and girls, today I brought a bag of special things to Gopher Buddies to help me tell you the Bible story. Hold up bag. Let s take a look at the first thing in the bag. Pull out a flashlight. Who can tell me what this is? Allow time for responses. When would you use a flashlight? Allow time for responses. That s right; we use a flashlight to help us see in the dark. Our Bible story today happened at nighttime, when it was very dark outside. A man came to ask Jesus a very important question. This man s name was Nicodemus. I am going to open my Bible to John, chapter 3 so we can find out what important question Nicodemus asked Jesus. Let s ask God to help us understand what we read. Pray and thank God for His Word, the Bible. Ask God to help us understand what we read. Jesus is God s Son Lesson 3 83

84 Lesson Okay, it s time to pull another object from my bag. Let s see what else I have in here. Pull out a map. It s a map. Does anyone know how to use a map? Allow a child to demonstrate. When would you use a map? Allow time for responses. We use a map when we need to know where we are going. The Bible tells us that Nicodemus asked Jesus how to get somewhere. Nicodemus wanted to know how to get to Heaven. Would a map help Nicodemus find his way to Heaven? Allow time for responses. No, this map would not help Nicodemus find his way to Heaven. But Jesus could help Nicodemus because Jesus is the Son of God. Listen as I read how Jesus answered Nicodemus s question. Read John 3:3. Jesus told Nicodemus that he must be born again if he wanted to go to Heaven. Born again? What does it mean to be born again? I have something in my bag that will help us answer this question. Pull out a Bible with Romans 6:23 marked. Look, I have a Bible and it has a bookmark in it. Let s read the verse that is marked. Read Romans 6:23a. This part of the verse tells us that our sin separates or keeps us away from God. Sin is anything we say, think, or do that does not please God. Our sin keeps us from going to Heaven to be with God. Wait; there is more to this verse. Listen while I read the rest of Romans 6:23. Read Romans 6:23b. This is the answer to our question! How can we be born again? We can be born again by receiving this gift of eternal life from Jesus. Then we will no longer be separated from God. We will be part of God s forever family. I have one more thing in my bag. Pull out a globe. This is a globe. Can you tell me something about a globe? Allow time for responses. A globe is a picture of the whole world. The Bible talks about the whole world in John 3:16. Listen as I read. Read John 3:16. This verse tells us that God loves you. He loves you so much that He sent His own Son Jesus to this earth. Last week you learned Satan tried to talk Jesus into making bad choices. Do you remember what Jesus said to Satan? (Allow time for response.) That s right! Jesus used God s Word and told Satan no. Jesus never sinned. But Jesus knew that we would sin, and He chose to die on the cross to pay the price for our sin. Jesus did not stay dead though. The Bible tells us that on the third day Jesus came back to life again. Now He wants you to receive this gift of eternal life, living in Heaven forever with Him someday. This is the Good News of Jesus! Application Nicodemus wanted to know how he could get to Heaven. Jesus gave him the answer, and the answer is the same for you and me. The answer is that you can get to Heaven by telling Jesus that you are sorry for your sins, the wrong things you have done, and asking Him to forgive you. You need to tell Jesus that you believe that He died to pay the price for your sin and that He came back to life. Have you asked Jesus to forgive you and be your Savior from sin? If you want to talk more about being born again, talk to me after the lesson. Have a leader available for counseling. For detailed invitation instructions and an explanation concerning the process of leading Early Learners to Christ, please 84 Jesus is God s Son Lesson 3

85 see the appendix in the Bible study. Nicodemus came to talk to Jesus at night but you can talk to people anytime. Jesus told Nicodemus how he could get to Heaven. You can tell the Good News of Jesus to others, too. You can tell them that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, that He came back to life on the third day, and if we ask Him, He will forgive our sins! Let s pray and ask Jesus to help us tell other people about Him. Prayer Time Suggestion Ask God to help us tell other people how they can go to Heaven someday. Review Questions Remind the children that Nicodemus came to Jesus at night to ask Him an important question. Tell the children you have some questions to ask them, too. Would it be fun to ask the questions in the dark? Dim or turn off the lights in the classroom. Use the flashlight from the Bible lesson to illuminate the room so you are able to read the questions. If you would like, let children take turns holding the flashlight. 1. Who went to ask Jesus a question? (Nicodemus) 2. When did Nicodemus go to see Jesus? (At night) 3. What question did Nicodemus ask Jesus? (How can a person get to Heaven?) 4. How did Jesus answer Nicodemus question? (He told him he had to be born again.) 5. What separates or keeps us from God? (Our sin) Snack Time Nighttime Nibbles Serve the snack of your choice (box of crackers, bag of pretzels, box of fruit snacks anything simple and not easily crumbled) with milk, juice, or water. Eat your snack in a darkened room. Dim the lights if possible, or leave the door ajar to utilize light from the hallway. You might also use a few flashlights to provide enough light to see and to insure none of the children are frightened. Jesus is God s Son Lesson 3 85

86 Discussion Suggestion: As the children eat their snack, ask them why they think they are eating in the dark. Does this remind them of anything from the lesson? What did Nicodemus want to know? Is the answer Jesus gave him the same as it is for us? Encourage the children to think of someone they can tell the Good News about Jesus. Cupcake Surprise Make cupcakes or muffins. Fill the muffin cup halfway and then add jelly or other appropriate filling. Add more of the cupcake or muffin mix on top and bake as directed. Frost or top according to the recipe. Discussion Suggestion: Tell the children there is a little surprise in their snack this week. Does anyone know what it is? Isn t it fun to tell people about surprises and gifts you have received? Remind the children that in the lesson they learned about a gift that everyone can receive. Does anyone remember what that is? (The gift of eternal life) Challenge the children to tell others about this special gift from God that we can all receive. Can they think of one person to whom they can tell the Good News about Jesus? Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (Jesus is God s Son Lesson 3) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. Who paid the price for our sin? (Jesus) 2. How did Jesus pay the price for our sin? (He died on the cross.) 3. Did Jesus stay dead? (No) 4. What is the gift of eternal life? (Living in Heaven with Jesus) 5. Name one person to whom you can tell the Good News about Jesus. (Answers will vary) Prayer Time Thank God for His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins. Suggested sentence prayer Dear God, help me to tell Jesus. the Good News about 86 Jesus is God s Son Lesson 3

87 Scripture Memory Time Verse: John 20:31b Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. Jesus is God s very own Son. Jesus never sinned. But, Jesus knew that we would sin, and He chose to die on the cross to pay the price for our sin. Say the verse aloud several times including the reference. Then ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Find the Treasure Place different colors of construction paper on the floor in a circle. Use one sheet of paper per child. The children will walk around the outside of the paper circle as you play music. When the music stops, the children will stand by the paper closest to them. Call out one of the colors. The children standing by that color will say the verse and reference. Repeat until all the children have had a turn or as time allows. Game Time Share the Secret Seat the children in a circle on the floor. Sit in the circle with them. Tell them you are going to whisper a secret. Choose a child to hear the secret. Select a sentence about something the children have been learning in their lessons (e.g., Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus does not sin.). After you have whispered the secret to the first child, that child will whisper the secret to the next child. Continue around the circle. Tell the children to listen carefully so that they can tell the secret correctly. See if the secret is the same by the time it gets back to you. Repeat as time allows, continuing to review the lesson with the secrets. Learning Link: Remind the children that Nicodemus came to see Jesus at night when people wouldn t see him. Jesus had many important things to tell him. Do you think those things were a secret? No Jesus wants everyone to know the Good News about Him. Should you keep that Good News a secret? No! Encourage the children to tell someone this week the Good News about Jesus. Jesus is God s Son Lesson 3 87

88 Who Has the Treasure? Seat the children in a circle on the floor. Show them a small coin or other treasure. Choose one child to be It and have them sit in the center of the circle. Instruct It to close their eyes, then hand the treasure to one of the children in the circle. Have all the children put their hands behind their backs. It should then open their eyes and try to guess which child is holding the treasure. The child holding the treasure then trades places with It. Continue playing until everyone has a turn to sit in the middle and guess. Learning Link: As you talk to the children, remind them that in the game, they were trying to keep the treasure a secret. In the lesson, Nicodemus came to see Jesus at night to ask Him important questions. He found out that God wants to give us all a treasure the gift of eternal life. Should this gift be a secret? No! Jesus wants everyone to know how to get to Heaven. Should you keep the Good News about Jesus a secret? No! Encourage the children to tell someone this week the Good News about Jesus. 88 Jesus is God s Son Lesson 3

89 Gopher Buddies Review Lesson Scripture Passage: Luke 2:39-52; Matthew 4:1-11; John 3:1-4, 7, 9, 16 Lesson Objective and Application This lesson will reinforce and review the material covered in lessons one, two, and three of this module. At the conclusion of this review lesson, the children will name one thing they have learned about Jesus. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible Andy Gopher puppet Emily Gopher puppet Sheriff s badge (can be made of a cardboard star wrapped in aluminum foil) Scripture Memory Bible Game Time BASIC GAME Supplies for Christian Service Activity (See below for details.) ADVANCED GAME Supplies for Christian Service Activity (See below for details.) Andy Gopher puppet Sheriff s badge Bible Lesson Gopher Puppet Dialog Andy: Stop in the name of the law! Put your hands in the air Teacher puts her hands in the air if possible. Jesus is God s Son Lesson 4 89

90 Teacher: Andy, what ARE you doing? Andy: Well, you see, insert teacher s name, I am pretending to be a sheriff you know, the head honcho, the top dog, the big enchilada, the king of the mountain! Teacher: Whoa! I get the picture, Andy. Well, that explains why you are wearing the sheriff s badge. Andy: You re right, insert teacher s name. I am the sheriff! I keep the peace around here these parts and make sure people are following the rules. Teacher: Well, that sounds like a good thing to do. Andy: That s what I was thinking. You see, this way I don t break the rules because I m the sheriff. Teacher: Wait just a minute, Andy. What do you mean you don t break the rules? Andy: Exactly that. I am the sheriff. My job is to protect people and make sure they obey all the rules. And of course, I will obey all the rules all the time because that s my job. Teacher: Andy, all of us have broken a rule at some time in our lives. The Bible says that no one is perfect. It tells us that everyone sins. Children, can you help me by telling Andy what sin is? Allow time for responses. Andy: Okay, let me make sure I understand this. Sin is anything we say, think, or do that doesn t please God. Wow, I guess you re right. Everyone does sin! Teacher: Well, there was one Person who never sinned. Children, can you tell Andy who never sinned? Allow time for responses. Andy: So, Jesus never sinned? Teacher: No, Andy, He didn t. Andy: Why didn t He sin? Teacher: Jesus didn t sin because He is God s Son. The boys and girls learned about a time in the temple when Jesus reminded His earthly parents about this. Andy: Was Jesus ever even tempted to sin? 90 Jesus is God s Son Lesson 4

91 Teacher: Oh, yes. Children, do you remember where Jesus was when Satan tried to talk Him into making bad choices? Allow time for responses. Andy: What did Jesus do? Teacher: Jesus answered Satan with God s Word. He knew what God s Word said and He used those words to help Him make good choices. Andy: Hey, can using God s Word even help children when they are tempted to do bad things? Teacher: Yes, Andy, we learned several verses here at Gopher Buddies that, I hope, will help the children choose to obey God and do what is right. Andy: If I learn verses, will they help me to do the right thing? Will they help make me a sheriff who always does good and not bad? Teacher: Andy, learning Bible verses will help you make good choices and do the right things, but remember what I told you before no one is perfect. The children learned that we have all sinned, but that we can have our sins forgiven. They know this from a Bible story about a visitor Jesus had one night. Andy: Wait, I ll be right back with Emily. I want her to hear this, too! Andy disappears and reappears with Emily. Teacher: Hello, Emily. Emily: Hello, insert teacher s name. Andy told me I needed to come and hear about a visitor Jesus had. Teacher: Oh, yes. Boys and girls, do you remember the visitor s name? Allow time for response. Emily: Nic-o who? Teacher: Nicodemus. He was a man who came to see Jesus at night to find out more about Him. Andy: What did Jesus tell Nicodemus? Teacher: Jesus told Nicodemus that everyone must be born again to go to Heaven. Emily: What does that mean? Jesus is God s Son Lesson 4 91

92 Teacher: It means that if we believe that Jesus, God s perfect Son, died on the cross to take away our sin, then we can be born again into His family. Because He died for us, we do not have to be separated from Him. We can live in Heaven forever with Him someday. Emily: Oh boy, that sure is good news! I m sure the boys and girls want to tell their friends and family all about Jesus. Andy: Come on, Emily. Let s go. I have some things I want to think about. Would you like to wear my sheriff s badge for a while? Andy and Emily disappear. Application Boys and girls, I hope we helped Andy understand some things about Jesus tonight. He was a little confused, wasn t he? You have learned many things about Jesus the past few weeks. You have learned that Jesus is God s very own Son. You learned that Jesus thought it was important to go to God s house and learn more about Him. You learned that even when Satan tried to get Jesus to do something wrong that would make God sad, Jesus used God s Word to help Him make good choices. Jesus never sinned. But Jesus knew that we would sin, and He chose to die on the cross to pay the price for our sin. Last week you heard the story of Nicodemus asking Jesus how to get to Heaven. You heard the Good News that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, He came back to life on the third day, and He will forgive us when we tell Him we are sorry for the wrong things we have done. Even though you have learned a lot, maybe you still have some questions about how to get to Heaven or about some of the other things we talked about. If you do have questions, be sure to talk to me or another leader after our lesson time is over. We will be happy to help you find the answers to your questions. Have a leader available for counseling. For detailed invitation instructions and an explanation concerning the process of leading Early Learners to Christ, please see the appendix in the Bible Study. Prayer Time Suggestion Thank God for sending His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. Ask God to help each boy and girl remember all the things they have learned about Jesus. Review Questions Look, boys and girls, Andy let me borrow his sheriff s badge. I ll hold the badge while I read each question. Raise your hand if you would like to try to answer a question and I ll pass the badge to you. 92 Jesus is God s Son Lesson 4

93 1. Who is Jesus? (The Son of God, God s Son, God) 2. Who never sinned? (Jesus) 3. What did Jesus do when He was tempted by Satan? (He answered with God s Word.) 4. Who came to Jesus in the night? (Nicodemus) 5. Why did Jesus die on the cross? (To pay the price for our sins) Snack Time Filled Pretzel Snack Serve cheese-filled pretzel bites or similar prepackaged snacks. Discussion Suggestion: Discuss with the children what they have been learning about Jesus and the gift of eternal life. Talk about the pretzels and how they have something hidden inside. Should we keep what we know about Jesus hidden? No! Encourage the children to tell others what they have been learning. Chocolate Surprise 20 milk chocolate kisses ¼ cup margarine or butter 2 packages of refrigerated biscuits ½ cup sugar ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease Bundt pan. Unwrap chocolate kisses. Melt margarine or butter. Separate and flatten each biscuit into a 3-inch circle. Place a chocolate kiss in the center of each biscuit. Wrap the biscuit around the chocolate, forming a ball. Pinch the ends to seal firmly. Mix sugar and cinnamon together in a bowl. Dip each dough ball in margarine and then roll in cinnamon-sugar mixture. Layer the balls in the greased Bundt pan. Make sure to place the second layer of dough balls on top and between the balls of dough in the first layer. Bake for 20 minutes or until the bubble ring is golden. Remove from oven and cool approximately one minute. Turn pan upside down onto plate and remove the pan. Cool for about ten minutes. Serve with milk. Jesus is God s Son Lesson 4 93

94 Discussion Suggestion: Discuss with the children what they have been learning about Jesus and the gift of eternal life. Talk about the snack and how there is something hidden inside. Should we keep what we know about Jesus hidden? No! Encourage the children to tell others what they have been learning. Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (Jesus is God s Son Lesson 4) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. What is sin? (Anything we say, do, or think that doesn t please God) 2. Why is it important to learn our Bible verses? (They will help us obey God and do what is right) 3. How can we be born again? (Ask Jesus to forgive our sins) 4. Name one thing you have learned about Jesus. (Answers will vary) Prayer Time Thank Jesus that you can learn more about Him in the Bible and at church. Suggested sentence prayer Dear Jesus, thank you for all the things I have learned about You in the Bible the past few weeks. Scripture Memory Time Verse: John 20:31b Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. Remind the children that this verse tells us that Jesus is God s very own Son. Jesus never sinned. But, Jesus knew that we would sin, and He chose to die on the cross to pay the price for our sin. Say the verse aloud several times including the reference. Then, ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Wiggle Worm Workout Lead the children in saying the verse using the following actions. Touch their heads and say the reference, John 20:31b. Touch their shoulders and say Jesus is the Christ. Touch their knees and say the Son, and then touch 94 Jesus is God s Son Lesson 4

95 their toes and say of God. Start slowly and speed up each time you recite the verse. Game Time Christian Service Activity This week s lesson offers an excellent opportunity to do the Wordless Bookworm Christian Service Activity. The instructions for this activity are found in the Bible Study Appendix. Learning Link: Before beginning the activity, tell children that this special bookworm will help them tell someone they know how to get to Heaven. As the children make their bookworms, explain the meaning of the different colors of pom-pom balls. Encourage the children to think of someone with whom they can share the message of their bookworm. Remind the children that sharing with their friends about Jesus is a way to serve Him. Optional Game: Giggling Gophers Have one child leave the room with a helper. Hide Andy Gopher s sheriff s badge somewhere in the room. Have the child return and begin looking for the badge. Have the other children give the child help in finding the badge by giggling/laughing loudly when the child is close to the badge and giggling/laughing softly when the child is far away from the badge. Continue playing until all the children have had a turn to look for the badge. For more fun, have Andy Gopher lead the children in giggling. Jesus is God s Son Lesson 4 95

96 96 Jesus is God s Son Lesson 4

97 John the Baptist Prepares the Way for Jesus Scripture Passage: Matthew 3:1-17; Mark 1:1-11; John 1:19-34 Lesson Objective and Application Children will learn that John the Baptist helped Jesus by telling others about Him. At the conclusion of this lesson, the children will name one person they can tell about Jesus. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible Lesson Visuals #1-4 Scripture Memory Bible 1 copy of puzzle pattern found in the Scripture Memory Time appendix of the Bible Study Game Time BASIC GAME 6 small buckets Assorted plastic bugs Tape for marking floor ADVANCED GAME 2 pairs adultsized sandals (or shoes) 2 adult-sized belts 2 capes, jackets, or robes Tape for marking floor Bible Lesson Introduction Boys and girls, I have a picture for you to look at. Show Lesson Visual #1. Does anyone know what this is? Allow time for response. That s right; it is a picture of a jar of honey. Have you tasted honey before? What does it taste like? Allow time for response. Right, it is sweet. Now I am going to hold up another picture. Are you ready to guess what this is? Show Lesson Visual #2. What does this I Choose To Be Jesus Helper Lesson 1 97

98 look like? Allow time for response. This is a picture of a locust. Do you know what a locust is? A locust is like a grasshopper. Have any of you boys and girls ever eaten a locust? I haven t and I don t think I want to, do you? The Bible tells us about a man who ate wild honey and locusts. I am going to open my Bible to Matthew, chapter 3 so we can learn more about this man. Before we begin, let s ask God to help us be good listeners and learn from His Word, the Bible. Ask God to help the children pay attention and learn from His Word. Lesson In Matthew, chapter 3, the Bible says there was a man named John the Baptist. The Bible says that John the Baptist wore clothes made from camel s hair. He also wore a leather belt around his waist. His clothes were probably not very soft like our clothes. The Bible also says that John the Baptist ate wild honey and locusts. Can you believe that? How would you like to eat a locust? I think I would rather have chicken nuggets than locusts, wouldn t you? Do you think he dipped the locusts in the honey? John the Baptist had a very important job. His job was to tell people about Jesus. The Bible says that many people came from all around Jerusalem, Judea, and the whole region of the Jordan to listen to John the Baptist. That means some people had to walk for many, many hours. There were no cars to ride in when John the Baptist was alive. It took much longer to get to other places than it does today. Show Lesson Visual #3. When the people finally came to the place where John the Baptist was preaching, they heard him say, Someone is coming soon who is more important than I am: Jesus Who is the Son of God! He also told the people to stop doing bad things and start doing good things. Repent, he would say. Turn from your sin to God. He sent His Son to take away the sins of the world. Remember, boys and girls; sin is anything we say, think, or do that does not please God. How did Jesus take away the sin of the world? Jesus died on the cross for the sin of the world for your sin and mine. Three days later, Jesus came back to life and many people saw Him. He is in Heaven today. Jesus did this so we can go to Heaven someday, too. Application John the Baptist had an important job. He told people about God. He told the people that Jesus was coming soon. He told the people that Jesus was the Son of God. Many people listened to John the Baptist and believed that Jesus was the Son of God. They wanted to stop doing bad things and start doing good things. They were glad John the Baptist told them about Jesus. John the Baptist helped Jesus and you can help Jesus, too. You can help Jesus by telling other people about Him. Show Lesson Visual #4. You can tell someone that Jesus is God s Son. He came to earth to die on the cross for our sin and three days later, He came back to life. Now Jesus is in Heaven. God s Word tells us that we can live in Heaven with Jesus someday if we believe that He died for our sins. You can ask Him to forgive you for your sin. If you would like to know more about having your sins forgiven, talk to me after we pray. Have a 98 I Choose To Be Jesus Helper Lesson 1

99 leader ready for counseling. For detailed invitation instructions and an explanation concerning the process of leading Early Learners to Christ, please see the appendix in this Bible Study. Prayer Time Suggestion Thank Jesus that we can have our sins forgiven. Ask Jesus to help us tell other people about Him like John the Baptist did. Review Questions Divide the children into two teams. One team will be the honey team, and the other will be the locust team. Line the teams up on one side of the room. Place Lesson Visual #1 across the room from the honey team. Place Lesson Visual #2 across from the locust team. Tell the children that after you ask each question, they should walk quickly to their team sign. The team who gets to their sign first gets to answer that question. 1. What did John the Baptist eat? (Wild honey and locusts) 2. What was John the Baptist s important job? (To tell people about Jesus) 3. Whom did John the Baptist say was coming soon? (Jesus, God s Son) 4. What did John the Baptist tell the people to stop doing? (Bad things) 5. Why did Jesus come to earth? (To die on the cross for our sins) Snack Time Ants on a log Spread cream cheese on large pretzel rods and top them with raisins. Serve with milk or juice. I Choose To Be Jesus Helper Lesson 1 99

100 Discussion Suggestion: Talk with the children about John the Baptist. Do they remember what he ate? The snack this week is called ants on a log. Of course, they are not real ants, but they remind us that John the Baptist ate locusts. Remind the children again that John the Baptist helped Jesus by telling others about Him. Remind the children that they can be Jesus helpers, too. Encourage the children to think of someone they can tell about Jesus in the coming week. Locust Cakes Serve the children rolls or biscuits with butter and honey. Have jam available for those children who may not like honey. Serve with milk. Discussion Suggestion: Talk with the children about John the Baptist. Do they remember what he ate? He ate locusts and honey. The name of the snack is locust cakes. This snack can help them to remember what John the Baptist ate. Remind the children John the Baptist helped Jesus by telling others about Him. Remind them that they can be Jesus helpers, too. Encourage the children to think of someone they can tell about Jesus in the coming week. Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (I Choose To Be Jesus Helper Lesson 1) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. What was the name of the man whom we learned about today? (John the Baptist) 2. How did John the Baptist help Jesus? (He told others about Him.) 3. How can we help Jesus? (Tell people we know about Him) 4. Name one person you can tell this week about Jesus. (Answers will vary) Prayer Time Thank Jesus for those who tell others about Him. Suggested sentence prayer Dear Jesus, help me to tell about you this week. 100 I Choose To Be Jesus Helper Lesson 1

101 Scripture Memory Time Verse: Colossians 3:23a Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. This verse tells us that when you serve or help Jesus, you should do the best job that you can do. You should serve with a happy heart. One way you can help Jesus is by telling others about Him, like John the Baptist did. Say the verse aloud several times including the reference. Then ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Hidden Scripture Write the verse the children are learning on the puzzle pattern found in the appendix. Cut the puzzle along the lines. Have the children close their eyes while you hide the puzzle pieces. Choose a few children to look for the puzzle pieces. Have the children put the pieces together to complete the verse. A leader should help them if necessary. Once the verse is complete, have all the children repeat the verse. Have the children who just searched hide the pieces, while the other children cover their eyes. Repeat as time allows. Game Time Bugs In the Bucket Mark a starting line on the floor with tape, and place a bucket of plastic bugs by the line. In front of the starting point, place five small buckets in a vertical line with spaces between each bucket. Line the children up behind the tape. The first child in line will choose a bug and try to toss it into the first bucket. Give each child five tries, taking a bug from the bucket each time and tossing it toward the next bucket. When the child is done, they should return to the end of the line. Encourage the children to cheer each other on and see how many bugs they can get into the buckets. Repeat until all the children have had a chance to play. Learning Link: Tell the children this game can help them remember John the Baptist. Were there bugs in the lesson? Ask them to tell you about them. Ask the children if they can remember what John the Baptist s job was. Encourage the children to be Jesus helpers and tell others about Jesus, just as John the Baptist did. I Choose To Be Jesus Helper Lesson 1 101

102 Sandal Relay Divide the children into two teams. Mark a starting line and a return line on the floor with tape. The first player on each team will put on the clothes and shoes provided, walk to the opposite line, and walk back. They should then remove the clothing. Continue until each player has had an opportunity to play. Provide a helper for each team to assist children as needed. Encourage the children to cheer for others on their team. Learning Link: Talk with the children about the fact that John the Baptist wore camel s hair and a leather belt and ate locusts and honey. We also know that people wore sandals during Bible times. Tell the children this game should remind them that John the Baptist helped Jesus by telling others about Him. Encourage the children to think of someone they can tell about Jesus in the coming week. 102 I Choose To Be Jesus Helper Lesson 1

103 The Disciples Follow Jesus Scripture Passage: Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20; Mark 3:13-19; Luke 5:1-11; John 1:35-51 Lesson Objective and Application Children will understand that just like the disciples, Jesus wants them to follow Him, too. They will learn that they can follow Jesus by obeying what the Bible tells them to do. At the conclusion of this lesson, the children will name something they can do to follow Jesus by obeying what the Bible says. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible Large net Fish crackers Scripture Memory Bible Game Time BASIC GAME 16 index cards or sheets of construction paper 8 fish stickers ADVANCED GAME Two 3-foot long dowel rods Two magnets Two 3- to 5-foot lengths of string or cord Paper fish with paper clip attached to end, one for each child A sheet or piece of fabric (blue if possible) I Choose To Be Jesus Helper Lesson 2 103

104 Bible Lesson Introduction Boys and girls, have you ever played Follow the Leader? Wait for children to respond. I thought it might be fun to play Follow the Leader today. Let s all stand up and play. Take a few minutes to play Follow the Leader. To help maintain classroom control, have an adult be the leader. Today we are going to learn about some men in the Bible who left what they were doing to follow a leader. Listen carefully to find out who these men were and whom they followed. Let s pray and ask God to help us understand the Bible lesson. Thank God for each boy and girl who came to Gopher Buddies this week. Ask God to help each child and leader learn more about Him. Lesson I am going to open my Bible to the Book of Matthew. The Bible tells us that one day two brothers, Peter and Andrew, were at the Sea of Galilee fishing. Now most of the people I know who go fishing fish to have fun and to take it easy. But that s not why Peter and Andrew were fishing. They were fishing because that was their job. They were fishermen. Have you ever been fishing? Allow time for responses. What do you use to catch fish? Choose a child to answer. Peter and Andrew were not using a pole like the one we might use to catch fish. Do you know how they caught fish? They used a big net, maybe one that looked something like this one. Cast net to demonstrate how they used it to fish. They would throw the net out into the water and try to catch as many fish as they could all at the same time. The Bible tells us that one day Jesus came walking by as Peter and Andrew were fishing. Jesus said to them, Come, follow me and I will make you fishers of men. The Bible says that at once, Peter and Andrew left what they were doing and followed Jesus. Later, Jesus saw two other men. They were also brothers and fishermen. Their names were James and John. James and John were in a boat with their father getting their nets ready to go fishing. Jesus called James and John to follow Him, too. What do you think James and John did? Allow time for response. Just like Peter and Andrew, James and John left their nets and their father to follow Jesus. Jesus not only called these four men to follow Him, but we read in the Bible that He called eight more men to be His disciples. Jesus called twelve men to be His special helpers. Boys and girls, can you count to twelve with me? Lead the children in counting to twelve. Those twelve men, Jesus special helpers, were called the disciples. The disciples job was to tell other people about Jesus. Application Jesus said, Follow me and I will make you fishers of men. What does that mean? Allow children to respond. Jesus was saying, Come with me. You are no longer going to be fishermen. Your new job is to tell people about me. You are not fishing for fish. You are fishing for people! Boys and girls, Jesus wants you to follow Him, too. How can you follow Jesus? You can follow Jesus by 104 I Choose To Be Jesus Helper Lesson 2

105 obeying what the Bible tells you to do. Let s think about some things the Bible tells you that Jesus wants you to do, a few ways you can follow Jesus this week. Can you follow Jesus by doing your Quiet Time Diary at home each day? Can you follow Jesus by being kind to your brothers and sisters? Can you follow Jesus by obeying your mom and dad? Can you follow Jesus by sharing your toys with a friend? You choose to be Jesus helpers when you follow Him and obey what the Bible tells you to do. Prayer Time Suggestion Thank Jesus for wanting us to follow Him. Ask Jesus to help us obey what the Bible tells us to do. Review Questions Place a small bowl of fish-shaped crackers on the table. Tell the children you are fishing for answers to some questions. Explain that every time they answer a question correctly, everyone will get one fish cracker to eat. 1. What were the names of the first two men in our story? (Peter and Andrew) 2. What were Peter and Andrew doing? (Fishing) 3. What were the names of the other two brothers in our story? (James and John) 4. What did Jesus say to the men? (Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.) 5. What did the men do when Jesus called them? (They followed Jesus.) Snack Time Fishermen s Feast Serve fish crackers with a blue beverage. Discussion Suggestion: Talk with the children about the disciples. Many of them were fishermen. Have any of the children ever been fishing? Did they like it? What does it mean to be a fisher of men? Encourage the children to talk about ways they can follow Jesus in the coming week. I Choose To Be Jesus Helper Lesson 2 105

106 Cracker Fishing On a small paper plate give each child a spoonful of a spreadable cheese dip, several pretzel sticks, and fish-shaped crackers. Now tell them they can start fishing. Show them how to dip one end of the pretzel stick into the cheese and then catch a fish-shaped cracker with the cheesey end of the stick. Discussion Suggestion: Talk with the children about Jesus disciples. Many were fishermen and went out in boats to catch fish. What does it mean to be a fisher of men? Do you need a boat? Encourage the children to name some ways that they can follow Jesus by obeying God s Word. Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (I Choose To Be Jesus Helper Lesson 2) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. What were Jesus special helpers called? (Disciples) 2. How can you follow Jesus? (By obeying the Bible) 3. Name some things you can do to follow Jesus and obey the Bible. (I can do my Quiet Time Diary, obey my parents, share my toys, and be kind to others.) 4. Name one thing you will try to do in the week ahead to follow Jesus. (Answers will vary) Prayer Time Pray that the children will want to follow Jesus by obeying what the Bible, God s Word, tells them to do. Suggested sentence prayer Dear Jesus, help me to follow You. I want to follow You this week by. 106 I Choose To Be Jesus Helper Lesson 2

107 Scripture Memory Time Verse: Colossians 3:23a Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. This verse tells us that when you serve Jesus, you should do the best job that you can. When you follow Jesus by obeying God s Word, you should do it with a happy heart. Say the verse aloud several times including the reference. Then ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Follow Me Have the children stand facing you. Begin each round of the activity by saying, Boys and girls, follow me. It s as easy as A-B-C. Then lead the children in saying the Bible verse including the reference while doing one of the following actions: standing on one leg, hopping up and down, marching in place, etc. Allow the children to take turns being the leader. Repeat until each child has had a turn being leader or as time allows. Game Time Fishy Concentration Affix fish stickers to half the index cards or construction paper. Place the cards or sheets of paper face down on the floor. Allow each child to choose two cards or papers to turn over. They should try to find two fish pictures. Continue until all the matches have been made or each child has taken a turn. Repeat as time allows. Vary the game for younger players by leaving the chosen cards face up. Learning Link: Talk with the children about how they are trying to find fish in this game. Is it easy? Is it hard? Remind the children that the men in the Bible story today were fishermen. They left their boats and nets and followed Jesus. Jesus wants us to follow Him, too. We can follow Jesus by obeying God s Word. Encourage the children to think of a way they can follow Jesus in the coming week. I Choose To Be Jesus Helper Lesson 2 107

108 Fishers of Men Take each three-foot long dowel rod and attach a three- to five-foot long string or cord to one end. Attach a magnet to the other end of the string. Set up a fishing pond. Place two tall chairs or easels three or four feet apart. Put a large piece of blue fabric or a sheet over the two chairs. Attach paper clips to several laminated fish and place them on the floor behind the fabric. A leader should be behind the fabric. Try to adjust the pond fabric so the children cannot see behind it. The children, with the help of another leader, should put their fishing line over the fabric. The hidden leader can attach a fish to the line before the child pulls the line up. Repeat until all the children have had an opportunity to fish. For a variation of this game, write review questions on the fish and see if the children can answer the question they catch. Learning Link: Ask the children what they were trying to do. Did they catch any fish? Remind the children that the men in the Bible story today were fishermen. They left their boats and nets and followed Jesus. Jesus wants us to follow Him, too. We can follow Jesus by obey God s Word. Encourage the children to think of a way they can follow Jesus in the coming week. 108 I Choose To Be Jesus Helper Lesson 2

109 A Little Boy Helps Jesus Scripture Passage: Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-15 Lesson Objective and Application Children will know that they can help Jesus just like the boy who shared his lunch. At the conclusion of this lesson, the children will understand that they can help Jesus by helping others. They will name one way they can help someone in the coming week. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible Lunch bag or small basket Picnic blanket Scripture Memory Bible Game Time BASIC GAME No additional supplies needed ADVANCED GAME 2 medium-sized cardboard boxes Tape for marking floor Materials to decorate boat (optional) Bible Lesson Introduction Boys and girls, have any of you ever gone on a picnic? Allow time for responses. What are some good things to take on a picnic? Allow children to share ideas. Have any of you ever been on a picnic with five thousand other people? Today we are going to learn about a boy who shared his picnic lunch with lots and lots of people. Since it is so much fun to have a picnic, let s pretend to I Choose To Be Jesus Helper Lesson 3 109

110 go on a picnic right now. Let s see; I have a picnic blanket to sit on for all of us. Spread blanket out on the floor. I have my picnic basket, too. Hold up basket or lunch bag for children to see. Now all I need is your help in acting out part of the Bible story. Listen as I tell you this true story found in God s Word, the Bible. Spread the blanket out and seat the children on the blanket if the group is small enough. If not, teach the lesson from the blanket as though picnicking yourself. Before we begin, let s talk to God. Thank God for all the children in your group. Ask God to help each one learn more about Him. Lesson I am going to open my Bible to the book of Matthew, chapter 14. The Bible tells us that one day Jesus and His disciples were talking. Do you remember who the disciples were? Allow time for response. That s right, they were Jesus special helpers. They told people about Jesus. While Jesus and His helpers were talking, a very large crowd of people came to see Jesus. In fact, the Bible says that five thousand people came to see Jesus that day. When Jesus saw all the people, He was kind to them because He loved them. Jesus taught the people many things. Jesus made the sick people well. Now it started getting late and the people had not eaten all day. How do you think the people felt? (Allow time for response.) The disciples, Jesus special helpers, wanted Jesus to send all the people away. They told Jesus the people could go and buy some food in the nearby towns. But, Jesus wasn t thinking the same way the disciples were. He said, We don t need to send them away; you give them something to eat. The disciples probably looked at one another and started scratching their heads. What was Jesus thinking? Didn t He see how many hungry people there were? One of them told Jesus it would take a lot of money to feed all these people. Then another disciple said, Wait, I found a boy here who will share his lunch. Hold up lunch bag or basket. He doesn t have very much, only five small loaves of bread and two small fish, but he will help by sharing what he has. The Bible says that Jesus took the boy s lunch, looked up to Heaven, and thanked God for the food. Hold lunch bag or basket up to demonstrate what Jesus might have done. Then He took the loaves of bread and broke them into pieces. He gave the pieces to the disciples, and they passed them out to all the people. The Bible says those five small loaves of bread and two fish became enough food for everyone to eat. Do you remember how many people needed to eat? Allow time for response. That s right! Five thousand people! Boys and girls, this is where I need you to help me. Let s pretend we are at that great big picnic. Here s the food; let s pass the basket and everyone pretend to take out some fish and bread. Pass the lunch bag or basket around the group. Good, make sure everyone gets some. Now, let s act like we are really hungry and eat the fish and bread. Are you getting full? Don t eat too much. You don t want to get a stomachache. The Bible says after everyone had eaten all they wanted, Jesus asked the disciples to gather all the leftover food. Can you help gather the leftover food? Good job. Let s pretend to put the leftover 110 I Choose To Be Jesus Helper Lesson 3

111 food in baskets. The Bible tells us that the disciples gathered twelve baskets full of extra food! Isn t that amazing? Because a little boy helped Jesus and shared his lunch, many, many people had an incredible picnic! Application The boy in this story helped Jesus by giving Jesus his picnic lunch. He did not have very much, but he gave what he had. Jesus used that boy s small lunch to help many people. Jesus can also use you to help people. Can you think of some ways you can help other people this coming week? Maybe you can help your mom or dad by playing with your younger sister or brother. Maybe you can be a helper at Gopher Buddies by putting things away. Maybe you can help to cheer up someone who is sick by coloring them a picture. There are many ways boys and girls can help Jesus by helping others. Are you ready to be Jesus helper? Prayer Time Suggestion Thank Jesus for using the boy s lunch to feed so many people. Thank Jesus for using us to help other people. Review Questions Have children stand in a group on one side of the room. Place the lunch bag or basket from the Bible lesson on the opposite side of the room. Tell the children that as soon as they know the answer to the question, they should tiptoe across the room and pick up the bag or basket. After each question is answered, the children should return to the starting point. 1. How many people came to see Jesus? (Five thousand) 2. Why was Jesus kind to the people? (Because He loved them) 3. What did the boy have in his lunch? (Five small loaves of bread and two fish) 4. How much food was left over? (Twelve baskets full) 5. How can God use you? (To help other people) I Choose To Be Jesus Helper Lesson 3 111

112 Snack Time Fish and Loaves Serve fish crackers and rolls or biscuits. Serve with milk. Discussion Suggestion: Talk with the children about the young boy in the lesson this week. What did he share with Jesus? Ask the children if they would have been willing to share their lunch. Tell the children that one way they can help Jesus is by sharing with others. Encourage the children to think of other ways they can help someone in the week ahead. Fish Sticks and Bread Serve baked fish sticks and refrigerated biscuits or any other kind of bread or roll. (Please make sure there are no children with fish allergies before serving this snack in the classroom.) Serve with ranch dressing and/or tartar sauce or other dipping sauces and milk. Discussion Suggestion: Talk with the children about the boy in the lesson this week. What did he share with Jesus? Ask the children if they would have been willing to share their lunch. Tell the children that one way they can help Jesus is by sharing with others. Encourage them to think of other ways they can help someone in the coming week. Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (I Choose To Be Jesus Helper Lesson 3) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. How did the boy in the story help Jesus? (By sharing his lunch) 2. How did Jesus use the boy s small lunch? (To help feed many people) 3. How can you help Jesus? (By helping others) 4. Name one thing you will try and do this week to help someone else. (Answers will vary) 112 I Choose To Be Jesus Helper Lesson 3

113 Prayer Time Thank Jesus that just like the boy who shared his lunch, we can help Him, too. Suggested sentence prayer Dear Jesus, I want to help You by helping. Scripture Memory Time Verse: Colossians 3:23a Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. This verse tells us that when you serve or help Jesus, you should do the best job that you can. When you help Jesus, you should help with a happy heart. Say the verse aloud several times including the reference. Then, ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Helping Bridges This activity is a version of London Bridges. Two leaders will stand and form the bridge with their arms. Have the leaders begin singing the song to the tune of London Bridges. We help Jesus, yes we do, Yes we do, yes we do. We help Jesus, yes we do, We ll help you. After the children form a line, they will begin walking under the bridge. Periodically, have the leaders capture a child by bringing down their arms. Once a child is captured, have all the children repeat the verse including the reference. Continue playing until each child has had a turn to be captured in the bridge. I Choose To Be Jesus Helper Lesson 3 113

114 Game Time Bread, Bread, Fish Game Have the children sit down in a circle facing each other. Choose one child to be it and have them walk around the outside of the circle. As they walk around, they tap each child s head and say whether the child is bread or a fish. Once someone is chosen as the fish, that child gets up and tries to chase it around the circle. The goal is to tag that person before they are able to sit down in the fish s place. Play continues with the previous fish becoming the new it. Repeat until everyone has had a turn to be it. This game is similar to Duck, Duck, Goose. Learning Link: Tell the children that this game can help them remember how the boy helped Jesus by sharing his lunch. Jesus fed many people with the little boy s bread and fish. Challenge the children to think of ways they can help someone in the coming week. Remind them that they help Jesus when they help others. Fishing Boat Races Before class, cut the bottom from two cardboard boxes. The boxes should be a good size for a child to step into and walk while holding onto the sides. Divide the children into two teams. If time allows, let the teams decorate their boats. You may also choose to decorate the boats yourself beforehand. Mark starting and return lines on the floor with tape. Have the first child on each team step into their boat and race to the return line and back. Have a leader available to assist the children with getting in and out of their boat. Encourage the children to cheer for each other. Repeat as time allows. Learning Link: Remind the children that in Bible times, fishermen used boats to help them catch fish. Do they think that the boy in the lesson caught the fish that he shared with Jesus? Perhaps he used a boat. How wonderful that Jesus could use the boy s five small loaves of bread and two fish to feed five thousand people. Challenge the children to think of ways they can help someone in the coming week. Remind them that they help Jesus when they help others. 114 I Choose To Be Jesus Helper Lesson 3

115 Gopher Buddies Review Lesson Scripture Passage: Matthew 3:1-17; Mark 1:1-11; John 1:19-34; Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20; Mark 3:13-19; Luke 5:1-11; John 1:35-51; Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-15 Lesson Objective and Application This lesson will reinforce and review the material covered in lessons one, two, and three of this module. At the conclusion of this review lesson, the children will name one way they can be a helper. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible Andy Gopher puppet Emily Gopher puppet Scripture Memory Bible Portable CD player and music Game Time BASIC GAME Supplies for Christian Service Activity (See below for details.) ADVANCED GAME Supplies for Christian Service Activity (See below for details.) Bible Lesson Gopher Puppet Dialog Teacher begins as if she is going to review the lesson. Hello, boys and girls, is about all the teacher can get out before Andy Gopher pops up. Andy pops up speaking very loudly. I Choose To Be Jesus Helper Lesson 4 115

116 Andy: Locusts here! Get your locusts here! Order now and get your free honey dipping sauce. Locusts! Step right up and get your locusts here! Emily immediately appears. Emily: Andy, what are you doing out here? Teacher: That s a good question, Emily. I was just wondering the same thing. Andy speaks politely and softly. Andy: Well I was just saying (resumes yelling), locusts! Get your locusts here! Get em hot, get em cold. Just get yourself one before they re sold. Emily: No, no, Andy, I know what you are saying. I just don t understand why you are saying it. Andy: Well, I was thinking about what we learned at Gopher Buddies the last few weeks, and I wanted to start doing it. Teacher: Andy, I am not sure you are remembering everything quite right, but I do appreciate your enthusiasm. Emily: I just want to know what selling locusts has to do with what we learned. Andy: Do you remember the lesson about John the Baptist? Emily: Yes. Andy: Well, what did John the Baptist eat? Locusts and honey, and we are supposed to tell people to do the same. It sure beats selling lemonade like everyone else. Emily: Andy, I m not sure that was the important lesson we were supposed to learn. Teacher: Andy, I think Emily is right. Maybe the boys and girls can help all of us remember what we were supposed to learn from John the Baptist. Emily: Oh, oh, (insert teacher s name), I have a great idea! Can I ask the kids some questions about John the Baptist? Teacher: Sure, Emily, that would be fine. Emily: Ok, question number one. Put your hand on your knee if you know the answer. What type of clothes did John the Baptist wear? 116 I Choose To Be Jesus Helper Lesson 4

117 Call on a child for the answer. Emily: That s right, clothes made of camel s hair. Okay, I think everyone will know the answer to my next question. If you know the answer, rub your tummy. What did John the Baptist eat? Andy: (shouting again) Locusts and honey come and get it! Locusts and honey! Emily: (a little annoyed) That s right; let s all say it together locusts and honey. Now, boys and girls, last but not least, what was John the Baptist s important job? Allow time for response. Teacher: His important job was to tell other people about Jesus. John the Baptist helped Jesus by telling others about Him. Andy: Okay, now I get it. The locusts and honey were part of the story, but what we all should have learned is that just like John the Baptist helped Jesus by telling others about Him, we can tell people about Jesus, too. Teacher: Now you ve got it, Andy! Teacher: And there are lots of other ways we can help Jesus. Emily: Like the boy who helped Jesus by sharing his lunch? Boys and girls, do you remember what the boy had in his lunch basket? Allow time for response. Teacher: That s right, five small loaves of bread and two fish. That may sound like he had plenty to share, but there were lots of hungry people who needed to eat. How many people were at that special picnic? Allow time for response. Teacher: The Bible tells us there were five thousand people there that day! Emily: Wow, do you think I could give my peanut butter and jelly sandwich to help Jesus? Andy: Hey, I d be happy to give my broccoli casserole to Jesus, too! Teacher: Well, I am sure that there are times when you could do that, but the most important thing is that you are starting to think about ways to help I Choose To Be Jesus Helper Lesson 4 117

118 Jesus by helping others. Boys and girls, tell me some ways you can help Jesus by helping others. You may need to offer some assistance to start the children thinking of ideas for helping others. Andy: Wow! Those are all great ideas. There are some things Emily and I can do, too. Teacher: Yes, the boys and girls have lots of great ideas about how they can help Jesus. Let s see now. We learned that John the Baptist helped Jesus by telling other people about Him. We learned that just like the little boy, we can help Jesus by helping others. Now Andy, do you remember about some other people we talked about who were Jesus helpers? Andy: Oh yeah, I almost forgot! We learned about the disciples. Emily: They were Jesus special helpers who followed Him. Boys and girls, how many disciples did Jesus have? Allow time for response. Teacher: That s right. Jesus called twelve men to be His disciples. Emily: And we learned Jesus wants us to follow Him, too. Teacher: Remember, we found out we can follow Jesus by obeying what the Bible tells us to do. Andy: Wow, I didn t realize we learned so much! Emily: I want to be Jesus helper! Boys and girls, do you want to be Jesus helpers, too? Allow time for response. Andy and Emily exit. As they disappear behind the curtain, Andy resumes yelling. Andy: Locusts and honey get your locusts and honey! Emily: Andy! Application Isn t it great to know that Jesus wants each one of us to follow Him and be His helper? I hope you will choose to be Jesus helper. Do you remember the ways we talked about how you can help Jesus? You can help by telling other people about Him, by helping others, and by obeying what the Bible tells you 118 I Choose To Be Jesus Helper Lesson 4

119 to do. These are some ways you can help Jesus. Let s think of some other things you can do to be a helper. Have the children finish this statement, I will choose to be Jesus helper by (something they will do). Example: I will choose to be Jesus helper by inviting a friend to Gopher Buddies. Prayer Time Suggestion Thank Jesus that we can help Him and others. Ask Him to show the children how they can help others. Review Questions Remind the boys and girls that we have talked about bread and fish and locusts and honey in our Bible lessons the past few weeks. Does talking about all that food make them hungry? Tell the children to rub their stomachs like they are hungry when they know the answer. For more fun have Andy and Emily Gopher ask the review questions. 1. What did John the Baptist eat? (Locusts and honey) 2. What were Jesus special helpers called? (Disciples) 3. How can we follow Jesus? (By obeying what the Bible tells us to do) 4. How much food did the boy have in his lunch? (Five small loaves of bread and two fish) 5. How many people did Jesus feed with the boy s lunch? (Five thousand) Snack Time Andy s Dipping Snacks Serve pretzels or cracker sticks with cheese for dipping. Discussion Suggestion: As the children enjoy their snack, talk about the Gopher Buddies lesson. Discuss their favorite part of the lesson this week. Have the children share ways that they can be helpers at home and at church. Encourage them to share how they helped during the past week. I Choose To Be Jesus Helper Lesson 4 119

120 Emily s Chicken Nuggets and Dipping Sauce Serve chicken nuggets and sauce for dipping. Discussion Suggestion: As the children enjoy their snack, talk about the Gopher Buddies lesson. Discuss their favorite part of the lesson this week. Have the children share ways they can be helpers at home and at church. Encourage them to share how they helped in the past week. Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (I Choose To Be Jesus Helper Lesson 4) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. What was John the Baptist s important job? (Telling others about Jesus) 2. Name one person you can tell about Jesus. (Answers will vary) 3. How did the little boy help Jesus? (By sharing his lunch) 4. How can we help Jesus? (By helping others) 5. Name one way you can be a helper this week. (Answers will vary) Prayer Time Thank Jesus that we can follow Him and be His helpers. Suggested sentence prayer Dear Jesus, I want to be Your helper. I want to help You by. Scripture Memory Time Verse: Colossians 3:23a Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. This verse says that when you serve or help Jesus, you should do the best job that you can. You should serve with a happy heart. Say the verse aloud several times including the reference. Then, ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. 120 I Choose To Be Jesus Helper Lesson 4

121 Activity Freeze Verse Have the children stand in an open area. Tell them when the music begins to play they should begin moving around. As soon as the music stops, they should freeze no moving allowed. Lead the children in saying the memory verse together to unfreeze them. After the verse is said, continue playing as time allows. Game Time Christian Service Activity This week s lesson offers an excellent opportunity to do a Christian Service Activity. Choose an activity from the appendix in the Bible Study or perhaps your church has a special project that the children can help with this week. Learning Link: Talk with the children about the project you have chosen. Explain how it will be used to encourage or help others. Remind the children that we help Jesus by helping others. Be sure to point out that we are serving Jesus. Thank the children for their help and efforts in the project. I Choose To Be Jesus Helper Lesson 4 121

122 122 I Choose To Be Jesus Helper Lesson 4

123 The First Sin Scripture Passage: Genesis 2:7 3:24 Lesson Objective and Application Children will understand that Adam and Eve s disobedience separated them from God. Children will begin to understand what sin is and that there is a price to pay for sin. At the conclusion of this lesson, the children will thank God for sending Jesus to pay the price for their sin. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible Lesson Visuals #1-4 Scripture Memory Bible Copies of the fruit picture found in the Scripture Memory Time appendix of the Bible study, one per child Game Time BASIC GAME One apple or orange Portable CD player and music ADVANCED GAME Large piece of poster board with drawing of fruit tree Construction paper fruit, several types, one per child Tape or stickytack Bible Lesson Introduction Today was a big day for Allison. She was going to the jewelry store with her mom. Allison loved to look at all the shiny necklaces and the sparkling rings. Show Lesson Visual #1. Her favorite thing to look at was the glass elephant that The Problem of Sin Lesson 1 123

124 sat on a shelf in the window. The little glass elephant glimmered in the light as the sun shone through the window. Allison ran over to the window as soon as they arrived at the store. There was the beautiful glass elephant! Allison s mom read the sign to Allison that hung on the shelf beside the elephant. Do Not Touch. Allison s mom walked over to talk to the sales clerk, but Allison stayed to look at the elephant. Allison began to wonder what it would feel like to hold the little elephant. Allison s mom and the sales clerk were busy looking at necklaces. Allison didn t think they would notice if she just held the elephant for a little while. Allison had a choice to make. Would she choose to disobey the sign and her mom and touch the elephant? Or would she choose to obey? Oh no! What did the sign say? Allow time for response. Do you think Allison obeyed the sign? Allow time for response. We will find out what Allison did in a little while, after our Bible lesson. Now, the Bible tells us about a lady named Eve who also had a choice to make. Did she choose to obey God? We can find the story of Eve and her husband Adam in Genesis, chapter 2. Let s pray and ask God to help us understand His Word. Thank God for giving us the Bible. Ask God to help us understand this lesson about sin. Lesson The Bible tells us that God created Adam and Eve. God made a beautiful garden for Adam and Eve to live in. Show Lesson Visual #2. It was a special garden. God called it the Garden of Eden, and it was an amazing place to live. There were all kinds of fruit trees there. Whenever Adam and Eve were hungry, they could eat from those trees. However, there was one tree that God told Adam and Eve they could not eat from. Read Genesis 2: God s do not eat tree was called the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The Bible tells us that one day a serpent came and began to talk to Eve. Show Lesson Visual #3. Boys and girls, what do you think is another name for a serpent? Allow time for response. That s right! We would call the serpent a snake. This snake started to talk to Eve about the special fruit on the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The snake might have said something like, Look how beautiful that fruit is, Eve. Wouldn t you like to just touch the fruit? It wouldn t hurt to just touch the fruit. Oh Eve, just smell the fruit. It smells so good; just think how delicious it would taste. You could take a small bite, Eve. It wouldn t hurt to just take a small bite. Oh no! What had God said? Allow time for response. God had said, DO NOT EAT! Do you think Eve obeyed God? Allow time for response. Let s read Genesis 3:6 and find out what choice Eve made. Read Genesis 3:6. Oh no! Did Eve choose to do right? Allow time for response. Not only did Eve eat the fruit, but Adam ate the fruit, too! Right then, things changed in the garden. Adam and Eve made a wrong choice. They had disobeyed God. The Bible tells us this is sin. Sin is anything we say, think, or do that does not please God. Sin separates us from God. 124 The Problem of Sin Lesson 1

125 The Bible tells us there is always a price to pay when we sin. Show Lesson Visual #4. The price Adam and Eve had to pay for choosing to disobey God was to leave the beautiful garden. Adam would now have to work very hard to grow food to eat. Adam and Eve were very sad when they had to leave the garden. Now they were apart from God! This story would be very, very sad if it stopped right here, but our story is not finished yet. God knew that Adam and Eve would sin. God already had a plan in place. The good news is that God sent His own Son, Jesus, to earth. Jesus died on the cross and gave up His life to pay the price for our sin, for the wrong things we have done. But, Jesus did not stay dead. He came alive again and is now in Heaven. Someday we can be with Him in Heaven if we ask Him to forgive us for our sin and receive Him as our Savior. Application Let s go back and talk about Allison and the glass elephant. Show Lesson Visual #1. Do you think Allison would be sinning if she touched the elephant? Allow time for response. Yes, she would because it is a sin to disobey. What might happen if Allison chose to disobey? Allow time for response. Suggestions include not being allowed to go with mom next time, or she may break the elephant and have to pay for it. The Bible tells us that we have all done wrong things. We have all sinned. There is always a price to pay when we sin. But remember boys and girls that God loves you so much and will forgive you for the wrong things you have done when you ask Him. If you would like to know more about having your sins forgiven, talk to me after the lesson. Have a leader available for counseling. For detailed invitation instructions and an explanation concerning the process of leading Early Learners to Christ, please see the appendix in this Bible Study. Prayer Time Suggestion Thank God for sending Jesus, Who died on the cross and gave up His life to pay the price for our sin. Review Questions Have the children stand up. Ask them to show you what they would look like if they were picking fruit from a tree. Would they have to stand on their tiptoes? Tell them to pretend to pick fruit from a tree when they think they know an answer to the questions about the Bible lesson. The Problem of Sin Lesson 1 125

126 1. What was the name of the tree that God told Adam and Eve not to eat from? (Tree of the knowledge of good and evil) 2. What did the serpent tell Eve to do? (To try the fruit) 3. What did Eve do? (She ate the fruit.) 4. What does God call the wrong things we do? (Sin) 5. Who has sinned and done wrong things? (Everyone) Snack Time Fruit Snacks Serve fruit snacks or dried fruit rolls. Discussion Suggestion: Talk with the children about the lesson and what the Garden of Eden must have been like. Allow the children to share their thoughts. Talk about all of the wonderful fruit trees that God created. Tell the children that their fruit snacks can remind them of today s Bible lesson. Adam and Eve disobeyed God and sinned by eating the fruit God told them not to eat. Remind the children there is always a penalty to pay when we sin. We should be thankful to God for sending His Son Jesus to pay the price for our sin. Fruit Bright Bites Set out apples cut into wedges along with several flavors of gelatin (the sugar kind) powder mix. Have children dip an apple wedge into one of the gelatin powders, covering all sides of the apple. Let the apple sit for several seconds. The apple will turn a bright color. Then eat the apple wedge. Have paper towels ready; this snack is fun but messy. Suggested gelatin flavors to use: orange, rasberry, lime, and blueberry. Helpful Hint: Gala and Cortland apples do not turn brown as quickly when sliced. 126 The Problem of Sin Lesson 1

127 Discussion Suggestion: Talk with the children about the lesson and what the Garden of Eden must have been like. Talk about all of the wonderful fruit trees that God created. Tell the children that their fruit bright snacks can remind them of today s Bible lesson. Adam and Eve disobeyed God and sinned by eating the fruit God told them not to eat. Remind the children there is always a penalty to pay when we sin. We should be thankful to God for sending His Son Jesus to pay the price for our sin. Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (The Problem of Sin Lesson 1) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. Is there always a price to pay for sin? (Yes) 2. How did Adam and Eve disobey God? (They ate the fruit that God said not to eat.) 3. What price did Adam and Eve pay for their sin? (Adam had to work hard. Adam and Eve had to leave the garden and were separated from God.) 4. Who died on the cross to pay the price for everyone s sin? (Jesus) Prayer Time Thank God that we can have our sins forgiven. Suggested sentence prayer Dear God, thank you for sending Jesus to pay the price for my sin. Scripture Memory Time Verse: Romans 3:23 Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. The Bible says that everyone has sinned. Sin is anything we say, think, or do that doesn t please God. Sin keeps us from God. But the Good News is that God sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins. Say the verse aloud several times including the reference. Then, ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. The Problem of Sin Lesson 1 127

128 Activity Upset the Fruit Basket After practicing the verse, have the children sit in a circle of chairs. Give each child a paper fruit. Tell the children you are going to call out the names of the different fruit they are holding. When you call the name of their fruit, all the children holding that fruit should get up and change places with each other. The children who stay sitting should recite the verse while the others are changing places. If you say Upset the Fruit Basket, everyone is to get up and change places. Game Time Fruit Pass Have the children stand in a circle. Hand an apple or orange to one of the children. The children should begin passing the fruit around the circle as soon as you begin to play music. Stop the music at regular intervals. The child holding the fruit when the music stops should name their favorite fruit to eat. Repeat until all the children have had a turn to name their favorite fruit. Learning Link: Tell the children that the game can remind them of all the fruit trees Adam and Eve could eat from in the Garden of Eden. Remind them that Adam and Eve disobeyed God and sinned when they ate the fruit God told them not to eat. Adam and Eve had to pay the penalty for their sin. They had to leave the garden and were separated from God. Remind the children that the Good News is that God sent His Son, Jesus, to pay the price for our sins. 128 The Problem of Sin Lesson 1

129 Fruit Tree Fun Draw or paint a tree on a large piece of poster board. Cut several pieces of fruit from construction paper. On the back of the fruit, write questions that the children will answer. You may want to use the review questions from this lesson and previous lessons, and questions about rules for Gopher Buddies Club. You will need one piece of fruit per student. Make a few extra for possible visitors. Attach the fruit to the tree using sticky-tack or tape. Choose a child to come to the front and pick a piece of fruit from the tree. Read the question to them and allow them to answer. If a child is unsure of an answer, prompt them as necessary. Continue until all the children have had a turn. If time allows, you may wish to put the fruit back up and play again. Learning Link: Tell the children that the game can remind them of all the fruit trees Adam and Eve could eat from in the Garden of Eden. Remind them that Adam and Eve chose to disobey God when they ate the fruit that God told them not to eat. To disobey God was sin. Adam and Eve had to pay the penalty for their sin. They had to leave the garden, and they were separated from God. Remind the children that the Good News is that God sent His Son, Jesus, to pay the price for our sins. The Problem of Sin Lesson 1 129

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131 Zacchaeus Turns From Sin Scripture Passage: Luke 19:1-10 Lesson Objective and Application Children will understand that Jesus loved Zacchaeus even though he was a sinner. Children will understand that, like Zacchaeus, Jesus will forgive their sins, too. At the conclusion of this lesson, the children, following Zacchaeus example, will know what they should do when they sin. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible Practice the rhymes before you teach the lesson. Scripture Memory Bible Game Time BASIC GAME A play dollar bill or large coin ADVANCED GAME Small step stool Dress-up clothing such as robes, sandals, etc., enough for six children Bible Lesson Introduction Last week we talked about two people who disobeyed God. What were their names? Allow time for response. We learned that Adam and Eve ate the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, after God told them not to. Adam and Eve disobeyed God. The Bible tells us this is sin. Sin is anything we say, think or do that does not please God. Boys and girls, Adam and Eve were not the only people who had a problem with sin. The Bible tells us that we have all sinned. In today s Bible lesson, we are going to meet a small man who had a big problem with sin. I am going to open my Bible to the book of Luke, chapter 19 so we can find out about this small man and his big The Problem of Sin Lesson 2 131

132 problem. First, let s ask God to help us understand this story from the Bible. Thank God for each boy and girl who came to Gopher Buddies this week. Ask God to help us understand His Word, the Bible. Lesson The Bible tells us about a man Zacchaeus who was a tax collector. His job was to go to people and collect the money that they owed to the government. This tax money was used to pay for things like building roads and paying the soldiers. It was important for the people to pay taxes. However, Zacchaeus was not an honest tax collector. Zacchaeus would take too much money from the people for their taxes. Then he would keep that extra money for himself. That extra money did not belong to Zacchaeus. What do we call it when people take things that do not belong to them? Allow time for response. That s right! We call it stealing. Stealing does not please God. Stealing is a sin. Do the following poem as a rhyme with motions, or sing it to the tune of Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus was a greedy man. (Grab at things with your hands.) A greedy man was he. He said, I want this money for me. (Point both thumbs to yourself.) He stole it, now you see. (Wave your index finger.) Now, boys and girls, try to say the poem with me this time. Repeat the poem and motions. One day Zacchaeus heard that someone very important was coming to Jericho. Who do you think was coming to visit? Allow time for response. It was Jesus who was coming! A large crowd soon gathered around Jesus. Zacchaeus was not very tall and he could not see Jesus over the crowd of people. Then Zacchaeus had an idea. Listen as I read Luke 19: 3-4 from my Bible. See if you can find out what Zacchaeus idea was. Read Luke 19:3-4. So, boys and girls, what did Zacchaeus do? Allow time for response. That s right; he climbed up into a tree so he could look down and see Jesus when He passed by. Do the following poem as a rhyme with motions, or sing it to the tune of Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus was a wee little man. (Hold up the index finger and thumb.) A wee little man was he. He climbed up in a sycamore tree. (Pretend to climb.) For the Lord he wanted to see. (Look around with a hand on top of your eyes.) Now say the poem with me this time. Repeat the poem and motions. 132 The Problem of Sin Lesson 2

133 Zacchaeus waited up in the tree hoping that he would be able to see Jesus. Zacchaeus was surprised when Jesus stopped right underneath the tree and called out to him. Listen as I read Luke 19:5 to find out what Jesus said to Zacchaeus. Read Luke 19:5. Wow, Jesus wanted to go to Zacchaeus house! Do the following poem as a rhyme with motions, or sing it to the tune of Zacchaeus. As the Savior passed that way, (Pat your hands on your lap.) He looked up in the tree. (Hold hand over the top of your eyes and look up.) And He said, Zacchaeus, you come down. (Point index finger at the tree.) For I am going to your house today. (Clap hands in rhythm.) For I am going to your house today. Now say the poem with me this time. Repeat the poem and motions. Zacchaeus told Jesus that he was sorry for stealing the money. He told Jesus that he would give back the money he stole. Zacchaeus even gave the people extra money to show that he was sorry for his sin. Do the following poem as a rhyme with motions, or sing it to the tune of Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus was a changed man. (Shake your head yes.) A changed man was he. He said, I am sorry for my sin. (Rub hands on eyes like crying.) He gave back the money. (Open and stretch out your hands.) Now say the poem with me this time. Repeat the poem and motions. Application Jesus knew that Zacchaeus had sinned by stealing the people s money. But Jesus still loved Zacchaeus and forgave him for the wrong things he had done. Jesus knows that we do wrong things, too. But, just like Zacchaeus, Jesus loves us and will forgive us for the wrong things we do. Boys and girls, when you do something wrong, you should do what Zacchaeus did. First, tell Jesus that you are sorry for your sin and ask Him to forgive you. Remember Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for your sin. Then, pray and ask God to help you change. Ask Him to help you stop doing bad things. Ask God to help you do the things that please Him. Prayer Time Suggestion Thank Jesus that He loves us and forgives our sin. Thank Jesus for listening to us when we tell Him we are sorry for our sin. The Problem of Sin Lesson 2 133

134 Review Questions Remind the children that in today s lesson Zacchaeus climbed a tree so he could see Jesus. Tell the children when they know the answer to your questions to let you know by pretending to climb a tree. 1. What was Zacchaeus job? (He was a tax collector.) 2. What did Zacchaeus do so he could see Jesus? (Climbed a tree) 3. Why did Zacchaeus have to climb the tree to see Jesus? (He was a small man.) 4. What did Jesus call out to Zacchaeus? (Come down from there; I want to stay at your house.) 5. Who loved Zacchaeus even though he had done wrong things? (Jesus) Snack Time Mini Trees Serve raw broccoli and cauliflower pieces with a dip such as ranch dressing. Serve with water or juice. Discussion Suggestion: Ask the children what the snack reminds them of. Do they think the snack looks like very small trees? How do trees remind them of the lesson? Review how Zacchaeus was so eager to see Jesus that he climbed into a tree. Talk about what Zacchaeus did to make things right after he had sinned. Review with the children the things they should do when they sin or do wrong things. Remind the children that God loves them and forgives them when they sin. Celery Trees Cut celery ribs into desired lengths. Slice one end of each celery stick in narrow lengthwise strips, approximately one-fourth to one-third of a stick. Place celery in ice water and refrigerate for an hour or two. The top of the celery will curl down and look like tree branches. Serve with peanut butter or cream cheese to spread on the trees. (It is important to 134 The Problem of Sin Lesson 2

135 make sure that no children in your classroom have peanut allergies before serving peanut butter at snack time.) Discussion Suggestion: Ask the children what the snack reminds them of. Do they think the snack looks like very small trees? How do trees remind them of the lesson? Review how Zacchaeus was so eager to see Jesus that he climbed into a tree. Talk about what Zacchaeus did to make things right after he had sinned. Review the things they should do when they sin or do wrong things. Remind the children that God loves them and forgives them when they sin. Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (The Problem of Sin Lesson 2) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. What did Zacchaeus do that was wrong? (He stole money; he took too much money when he collected taxes.) 2. What did Jesus know about Zacchaeus? (That he stole the people s money.) 3. What did Zacchaeus tell Jesus? (That he was sorry for stealing the money.) 4. What else did Zacchaeus do to make things right after he had sinned? (He gave back the money he stole. He even gave the people he stole from extra money.) 5. What should you do when you sin? (Tell Jesus you are sorry and ask Him to forgive you. Then ask God to help you change and do what pleases Him.) Prayer Time Thank Jesus for loving us even when we sin. Ask Jesus to help us turn from our sin like Zacchaeus. Thank Him that He forgives us. Suggested sentence prayer Dear Jesus, help me to remember what I should do when I do something wrong. Help me to want to do those things that please You. The Problem of Sin Lesson 2 135

136 Scripture Memory Time Verse: Romans 3:23 Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. The Bible says that everyone has sinned. Today we learned what we should do when we sin. Say the verse aloud several times including the reference. Then, ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Crazy Stand Ups Have the children sit on the floor facing you. Ask the children to stand up and say the verse and reference. Each time, vary the stipulations for standing (For example: all those with blue eyes, everyone who is wearing green, everyone who has a sister, everyone who has no siblings). Repeat until all the children have had a turn or as time allows. Game Time Find the Money Choose one child to leave the room while you hide a piece of play money in plain sight. Then have the child come back into the room and begin to look for the hidden money. As the child searches for the money, have the rest of the children give them clues by saying warm if they are getting close or cold if they are getting further away. When the child finds the money, they should choose the next child to leave the room while the money is hidden again. Continue to play until each child has had a turn to search for the money or as time allows. If your group is larger, you will want to divide the children up and have them play the game as teams instead. Learning Link: Remind the children that Zacchaeus was very greedy and took money from others. He learned that this was wrong and he stopped doing bad things. He wanted to start doing things that please God, so he gave the money back to the people. Challenge the children to remember the lesson and the things they should do when they sin and do wrong things. Remind them God loves them even when they sin, and He forgives them. 136 The Problem of Sin Lesson 2

137 Zacchaeus Drama Divide the children into groups of five or six. Each group will put on the dress-up clothing and act out the story of Zacchaeus for the rest of the group to watch. A small step stool will work for the tree. Have a leader or helper assist the children in dressing up and deciding who will play the different roles. Some of the groups of children will need less help than others. Continue until all the groups have had time to present their version of the story. Learning Link: Talk about the lesson that the children have acted out. Review with the children that Zacchaeus stopped doing bad things like stealing the people s money. He wanted to start doing things that please God, so he gave the money back to the people. Remind the children that Jesus loved Zacchaeus even though he had sinned. Remind the children God loves them even when they sin, and He will forgive them. The Problem of Sin Lesson 2 137

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139 Jesus Came to Take Away My Sin Scripture Passage: John Lesson Objective and Application Children will understand that Jesus loves them and paid the price for their sin when He died on the cross. They will begin to understand how they can receive the gift of eternal life. At the conclusion of this lesson, the children will pray and thank Jesus for loving them and paying the price for their sin. They will also ask Jesus to help them tell others this Good News. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible Stuffed bear (or some other gift you were given to show the children) Chalkboard, marker board, or a piece of poster board Scripture Memory Bible Game Time Selected reading book: Jesus Saves the World by Kelly Pulley Bible Lesson Introduction Adjust the dialogue to fit the gift you have brought to show the class. I saw this cuddly stuffed bear at the store. Show a stuffed bear. It had a tag on it that said, five dollars. Does anyone know what that tag means? Allow time for response. The tag tells me how much money I must pay to the store so that I can keep this bear. What would happen if I went into the store, picked up this bear and walked out the door without paying the five dollars? Allow time for response. I would be in big trouble! I must pay the price for the bear before the bear can belong to me. The Problem of Sin Lesson 3 139

140 Now, this bear does belong to me, but I did not pay any money for it. How do you think I got this bear? Allow time for response. My dad gave me this bear for my birthday. My dad paid the price for this bear. The bear was a gift from my dad. He gave me this gift because he loves me. Boys and girls, can you tell me about one gift you have received and who gave it to you? Allow time for responses. Did you know God wants to give you a gift? The Bible tells us that God loves us so much, He sent His Son, Jesus, to pay a big, big price so we could have this gift. I am going to open my Bible to the Book of John so we can find out what gift God wants to give us and what price Jesus had to pay. Let s ask God to help us understand what we read. Thank God for giving us a special gift. Ask Him to help each boy and girl understand how they can receive His gift. Lesson Two weeks ago, we talked about two people that God created. What were their names? Allow time for response. Adam and Eve had a big problem. I would like to write their problem on the board. (You can use a chalkboard, marker board, or a piece of poster board.) I need a helper who can write the first letter for me. Choose a helper and help him write s on the board. Now I need another helper to write the second letter for me. Choose a helper and help him write i on the board. I need one more helper who can write the last letter in our word. Choose a helper and help him write n on the board. S-I-N spells the word sin. Sin was Adam and Eve s big problem. Their sin separated them from God. The Bible tells us in the first part of Romans 6:23 that the wages of sin is death. That means that the price we must pay for our sin is death. I am going to put the price tag on our word sin. Put a tag on the board that says death. Adam and Eve were not the only people who had problems with sin. Point to the word sin on the board. Last week we talked about a small man who had a big problem with sin. What was his name? Allow time for response. Zacchaeus knew he had a problem with sin. Zacchaeus also knew there was only one Person who could help him with his problem of sin. Point to the word sin on the board. Zacchaeus climbed a tree to see this Person. Who did Zacchaeus want to see? Allow time for response. Jesus was the only One who could pay the price for Zacchaeus sin. But wait, death is the price for sin! Point to the price tag on sin. Was Jesus really ready to die to pay the price for Zacchaeus sin? Yes, and for Adam s sin, Eve s sin, my sin, and your sin. Jesus came to earth to die on the cross to pay the price for our sin because He loves us so much. Jesus told His friends that He would soon die. He told them not to be afraid because this was part of God s special plan for the world. One night Jesus was in a garden praying. The Bible tells us that soldiers came to arrest Jesus and 140 The Problem of Sin Lesson 3

141 take Him away. Jesus had not done anything wrong, but the people were shouting for Him to be killed. The soldiers took Jesus and put Him on a cross. Jesus died there on the cross to take away our sin. After He died, one of Jesus friends came, took His body, and gently laid it in a cave that was cut into the side of a big rock. It was called a tomb. A huge, heavy stone was rolled in front of the opening, and soldiers were sent to guard the tomb. But Jesus did not stay in that tomb. Jesus rose from the dead! He is alive! Application The first part of Romans 6:23 tells us that the price for sin is what? Point to the price tag. Jesus loves us so much that He died on the cross to pay the price for our sin. Erase sin from the board or take down the poster board. Jesus death took away our sin. The second part of Romans 6:23 tells us that the gift of God is eternal life. That s the gift that God wants to give us. Eternal life means that you can live in Heaven with Jesus forever. Jesus has already paid the price for your sin. Now you can receive God s gift of eternal life. Have you told Jesus that you are sorry for the wrong things you have done? Do you believe Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for your sins? Have you asked Him to forgive you and to be your Savior? If you would like a leader to help you understand more about God s special gift, come and tell me after we pray. Have a leader ready for counseling. For detailed invitation instructions and an explanation concerning the process of leading Early Learners to Christ, please see the appendix in this Bible Study. Let s talk to God. Prayer Time Suggestion Thank Jesus for loving us and paying the price for our sins. Thank Him that He wants us to live in Heaven with Him forever. Review Questions Teach the children this simple rhyme using the motions as you say it: One-two-three, (Hold up fingers as you count.) Jesus paid the price (Look up and point to Heaven.) For you and me! (Point to yourself and then to the children.) After each question is answered correctly, the children should all stand up and repeat the rhyme together. The Problem of Sin Lesson 3 141

142 1. What problem did Adam, Eve, and Zacchaeus have? (Sin) 2. From Whom does sin separate us? (From God) 3. What is the price for sin? (Death) 4. Who paid the price for our sin? (Jesus) 5. Who arose from the dead? (Jesus) Snack Time Heart Snacks Serve snacks that are heart-shaped. A heart cookie cutter will easily transform many things into the correct shape. Some options are heartshaped cheese slices, heart-shaped sandwiches, or heart-shaped gelatin. Serve with milk. Discussion Suggestion: Talk with the children about their heartshaped snacks. What do hearts make them think of? Remind the children that Jesus loves them so much that He paid the price for their sin. Tell the children how thankful you are for Jesus and His love for all of us. Encourage them to think of someone they can tell the Good News about Jesus. Pricey Snacks Serve chocolate coins or graham crackers or cookie bars decorated to look like coins or dollar bills. Discussion Suggestion: Talk with the children about their snacks. What do they remind the children of? Remind the children that Jesus loves them so much that He paid the price for their sin. What was that price? Discuss with the children that because Jesus paid the price for their sin, He is able to give them the gift of eternal life. Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (The Problem of Sin Lesson 3) 142 The Problem of Sin Lesson 3

143 Questions for Further Discussion: 1. How did Jesus pay the price for our sin? (He died on the cross.) 2. Why was Jesus willing to die for us? (He loves us.) 3. What gift does God want to give us? (Eternal life so we can live in Heaven with Him forever) 4. How do we receive God s gift of eternal life? (We tell God that we are sorry for our sins and ask Him to forgive us and to be our Savior.) 5. Who can you tell that Jesus came to take away our sin? (Answers will vary) Prayer Time Thank God for the gift of eternal life so we can live with Him in Heaven forever. Suggested sentence prayer Dear Jesus, thank you for loving me and paying the price for my sin. Help me to tell others this Good News. Scripture Memory Time Verse: Romans 3:23 Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. The Bible says that everyone has sinned. Jesus paid the price for our sin when He died on the cross. Say the verse aloud several times including the reference. Then, ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Monkeys in the Middle Have the children hold hands and form a circle around the leader (first monkey in the middle). The children should walk around in a circle while the leader closes their eyes, turns around, and points. At the same time, the children should be reciting the verse. When the verse is recited, the children should stop and the leader stops. The child whom the leader is pointing at is the next monkey in the middle. The Problem of Sin Lesson 3 143

144 Game Time Selected Reading Book This week's lesson offers an excellent opportunity to read the selected reading book, Jesus Saves the World. Learning Link: After reading the book, take time to talk about what you read with the children. Tell the children that this book should make each one of us thankful to Jesus for loving us and paying the price for our sin. Encourage them to think of someone they can tell the Good News about Jesus. 144 The Problem of Sin Lesson 3

145 Gopher Buddies Review Lesson Scripture Passage: Genesis 2:7-3:24; Luke 19:1-10; John Lesson Objective and Application This lesson will review and reinforce the material covered in lessons one, two, and three of this module. At the conclusion of this review lesson, the children will be able to tell others what sin is and the consequence of sin. The children will thank Jesus for loving them and dying on the cross to pay the price for their sin. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible Andy Gopher Puppet Emily Gopher Puppet Popped balloon Balloon blown up Scripture Memory Bible Balloon Game Time BASIC GAME balloons divided between 2 teams Four baskets/ two for each team ADVANCED GAME Shapes cut from cardstock or poster board (circles, squares, triangles) one per child Two or three cut shapes of a cross Portable CD player and music The Problem of Sin Lesson 4 145

146 Bible Lesson Gopher Puppet Dialogue Emily yells in an excited voice. Emily: (Insert teacher s name), have you seen Andy? Teacher: No, I haven t seen him today. Emily: I really need to find him! Teacher: Why, has something happened? Emily nods her head. Emily: Yes, something awful has happened! Teacher: Oh no, what happened, Emily? Emily shows a popped balloon. She sadly hangs her head. Emily: My mom gave me a beautiful balloon today because I helped her clean out the garage. I left the balloon in my bedroom this afternoon when I went outside to ride my bike. When I came back inside, this was all that was left of my beautiful balloon! Teacher: Oh, Emily, your balloon popped. I am so sorry. But why are you looking for Andy? Emily: I know that Andy popped my balloon! Teacher: How do you know that Andy popped your balloon? Maybe it had a hole in it. Or maybe it hit against the rough ceiling in your bedroom. Emily: Oh no, I know that Andy popped my balloon! And I am going to go find him! Emily leaves quickly, calling out Andy s name. Andy slowly enters, looking around the room. Andy: Is she here? Teacher: Hi, Andy. Andy: Shh, not so loud. Is Emily here? 146 The Problem of Sin Lesson 4

147 Andy looks around the room again. Teacher: No, she just left to go look for you. Andy: (Insert teacher s name), something awful has happened! Teacher: I know, Andy. Emily told me that you popped her balloon. What happened? Andy: I went into Emily s room to look for my blue marker. I found my marker beside Emily s bed. I also found Emily s new balloon tied to her bed. My mom had told me that it was Emily s special balloon and I was not supposed to play with it. I thought it would be fun to draw a smiley face on Emily s balloon with my marker. But it wasn t fun. The marker was too sharp and it popped the balloon! I knew Emily would be mad, so I have been trying to hide from her all day. Teacher: Andy, we cannot hide from sin. Andy: Sin? I m not hiding from sin. I m hiding from Emily. Teacher: No, no, Andy. I mean there is always a price to pay when we sin. And we cannot hide or run away from that price. Andy: What do you mean, (Insert teacher s name)? I don t understand. Teacher: The Bible calls the wrong things we do sin. Andy: Oh, you mean like going into Emily s room without asking her and playing with her balloon even though my mom had told me not to touch it. Andy hangs his head in shame. Teacher: That s right, Andy. Disobedience is sin. The Bible tells us that there is a price to pay for sin. We read a story from Genesis about how Adam and Eve disobeyed God and the price they had to pay for their sin. Who can tell Andy about the wrong thing Adam and Eve did? Choose a child to share. Direct the conversation to include: the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, Satan tempting Eve, and Eve and Adam eating the fruit. Andy: God had told Adam and Eve not to eat the fruit, but they disobeyed God. My mom told me not to touch Emily s balloon, but I disobeyed my mom. The Problem of Sin Lesson 4 147

148 Teacher: That s right, Andy. After Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they had to pay the price for their sin. Boys and girls, can you tell Andy what price Adam and Eve had to pay? Choose a child to share. Direct the conversation to include: Adam had to work hard to grow food to eat and the worst price they had to leave the garden and were separated from God. Andy: Wow, that was a big price to pay! Teacher: Yes, it was. Andy: I know I need to tell Emily that I popped her balloon. I need to tell her I m sorry. But I m afraid she ll be mad at me. Teacher: I know it s hard, Andy. The Bible tells us about a man who stole money from a lot of people. Does anyone remember this man s name? Allow time for response. Andy: What happened to Zacchaeus? Teacher: Zacchaeus met Jesus one day. He told Jesus that he was sorry for stealing the people s money. And then Zacchaeus returned the money he stole. He even gave back extra money to show that he was sorry. Andy: But how am I supposed to return Emily s balloon back to her? I don t think she wants a busted balloon. Teacher: That s true, Andy. But the boys and girls learned that when you do something wrong, you should do what Zacchaeus did. First, tell Jesus that you are sorry for your sin and ask Him to forgive you. Remember Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for your sin. Then, pray and ask God to help you change. Ask Him to help you stop doing bad things like disobeying your Mom. Ask God to help you do the things that please Him. Andy: You re right, (insert teacher s name). I need to pray and ask Jesus to forgive me. Then I need to go find Emily and tell her I m sorry for popping her balloon. Teacher: Sounds like a good choice, Andy. Andy: Good-bye! Andy exits, calling out Emily s name. 148 The Problem of Sin Lesson 4

149 Application I sure hope Andy can make things right with Emily and his mom. Boys and girls, the Bible tells us that we have all sinned. We have all done things that are wrong. This sin separates us from God. But God loves us so much that He sent His son, Jesus, to die on the cross to pay the price for our sin. Jesus did not stay dead. He is alive, and He wants to give you the gift of eternal life so you can live with Him forever in Heaven. Have you told Jesus that you are sorry for the wrong things that you have done? Do you believe that Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for your sins? Have you asked Him to forgive you and to be your Savior? If you would like someone to help you understand more about Jesus special gift, tell me when we are finished with our prayer time. Have a leader ready for counseling. For detailed invitation instructions and an explanation concerning the process of leading Early Learners to Christ, please see the appendix in this Bible Study. Let s talk to God. Prayer Time Suggestion Thank God for loving us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to pay the price for our sin. Review Questions Have the children stand in a circle. Have them pass a balloon around the circle while saying the learning rhyme from the previous lesson Jesus paid the price for you and me. The child who is holding the balloon at the end of the rhyme can then try to answer the review question. Repeat until all the questions have been answered. 1. Why was Emily upset? (Andy had popped her special balloon.) 2. Why was Andy hiding from Emily? (He knew that Emily was mad at him.) 3. What had Andy done wrong? (Disobeyed his mom and played with Emily s balloon) 4. What is sin? (The wrong things we do) 5. Who has sinned? (Everyone) The Problem of Sin Lesson 4 149

150 Snack Time Buddy Balloons Provide each child with two circle-shaped sugar cookies. Frost one cookie with icing and put a red shoelace licorice on the cookie. Top with the second cookie to make the balloon. Serve with milk or juice. Discussion Suggestion: Review with the children what happened to Emily s balloon in the story. Remind the children that Andy learned that there was a price to pay when people do wrong things, or sin. Tell the children how thankful you are that God loves us so much that He sent Jesus to pay the price for our sin. Wordless Snack This snack can be made with fruits or vegetables. Fruit: Yellow apple, pineapple, banana Black small chocolate chips Red strawberries, cherries, apple White mini-marshmallows Green green grapes, sliced in half to prevent choking Vegetable: Yellow pepper Black black olive Red pepper, tomato White cauliflower Green cucumber, broccoli, green pepper Prepare a small dish or cup of the various colored fruits or vegetables for each child. Discussion Suggestion: As the children enjoy their snack, talk about what the different colors remind you of. Yellow reminds us of Heaven. There can be no sin in Heaven. Black reminds us of sin; God s Word tells us that we all sin. Red reminds us that Jesus died on the cross and shed his blood to pay the price for our sin. It also reminds us of hearts and God s love for us. White reminds us that our sins can be forgiven. Green reminds us that God wants us to grow and learn more about Him. 150 The Problem of Sin Lesson 4

151 Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (The Problem of Sin Lesson 4) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. Who paid the price for our sin? (Jesus) 2. How did Jesus pay the price for our sin? (He died on the cross.) 3. Did Jesus stay dead? (No) 4. What did Andy need to do? (Pray and tell God he was sorry for the wrong things he had done. Tell Emily and Mom he was sorry.) 5. Whom do we need to tell that we are sorry for our sin? (Jesus) Prayer Time Thank Jesus for paying the price for our sins. Suggested sentence prayer Dear Jesus, thank you for loving us and dying on the cross to pay the price for our sins. Scripture Memory Time Verse: Romans 3:23 Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. The Bible says that everyone has sinned. We cannot hide from our sin. It is sin that keeps us from God. Say the verse aloud several times including the reference. Then, ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Balloon Toss Toss a balloon into the air as high as you can. Have the children attempt to say the memory verse and reference before the balloon hits the floor. Repeat as time allows. The Problem of Sin Lesson 4 151

152 Game Time Andy Gopher s Balloon Pass Game Divide the children into two teams and have them stand in a straight line. Place a basket of balloons by the first person in the line and an empty basket by the last person. At your signal to start, have the first person in line grab a balloon and pass it to the child beside them. The children should continue passing the balloons down their line. The last person in the line should put the balloon in the basket. Continue playing until the teams have passed all the balloons down the line. Learning Link: Review with the children what happened to Emily s balloon in the story. Remind the children that Andy learned that there is a price to pay when people do wrong things or sin. Tell the children how thankful you are that God loves us so much that He sent Jesus to pay the price for our sin. Shape Grab Scatter colored shapes cut from poster board on the floor. There should be a variety of colors and shapes including two or three shapes that are crosses. Begin playing the music and have children walk around the room. When the music stops the children should pick up the shape they are closest to. Take turns having the children tell the color and the shape they are holding. When a child holds up a cross, lead the group in saying, Thank you, God, for Jesus. Learning Link: Ask the children if they know why you had them say, Thank you, God, for Jesus, when the cross was held up. Remind the children that God sent Jesus to pay the price for our sin. Jesus died on the cross to pay the price. Tell them how thankful you are that God sent Jesus so that we can live with Him forever in Heaven. 152 The Problem of Sin Lesson 4

153 The First Church Scripture Passage: Acts 2:42-47 Lesson Objective and Application Children will learn how the church began. They will understand that the first believers met, prayed, shared, and praised God together. At the conclusion of this lesson, the children will thank God for their church. They will name something that they like to do at church. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible Several apples Knife Lesson Visuals #1 3 Scripture Memory Bible Memory cube Game Time BASIC GAME One apple for each child ADVANCED GAME Two or three hula hoops Whistle Bible Lesson Introduction Boys and girls, look what I have in my hands. Show an apple. I am going to cut this apple in half. What do you think I will find inside? Allow time for response. Cut apple to expose the seeds. You were right; I found apple seeds! If I plant the seeds in the ground, what will happen? Allow time for response. You are right again; if I plant an apple seed and take good care of it, it will grow into an apple tree filled with lots and lots of yummy apples. My apple tree may look something like this. Show Lesson Visual #1. Wow, a person can grow lots of apples from just one apple seed. Just like a great big apple tree grows from one tiny apple seed, the Bible tells us that the first church grew the same way. Now, you can t grow a church from seeds! Show apple seeds. But the church did start with just a few people who believed in Jesus, who started telling other people about Jesus. Soon there were a lot of believers just like there are a lot of apples on this apple tree! Point to Lesson Visual #1. I Learn About the Church Lesson 1 153

154 I am going to open my Bible to the book of Acts, chapter 2 so we can read all about how the first church began. Let s ask God to help us understand what we read from His Word today. Thank God for giving us the Bible. Ask Him to help us be good listeners. Lesson Acts chapter 2 begins with just a few believers who were gathered in one place. These men and women believed that Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for all the wrong things they had done. They had asked Jesus to forgive them and to be their Savior from sin. One of the believers was Peter who had been one Jesus special helpers. Show Lesson Visual #2. The Bible says that one day Peter told a large crowd of people about Jesus. Many people listened to Peter speak. Many people asked Jesus to be their Savior from sin. So now instead of just a few people who believed in Jesus there were lots and lots of people who believed! The new church was growing! Read Acts 2:46 and 47. The Bible says that the new believers were happy to meet together to learn more about Jesus. They spent time praying, praising God, and talking about the Bible. Where do we go to learn more about Jesus? Allow time for response. We meet together in our church. Show Lesson Visual #3. What kinds of things do we do in church? Allow time for responses. Let s read verse 45 to see what else the people in the first church did. Read Acts 2:45. The people shared their things with each other. They gave each other everything they needed. How do we help our church when we share our money during offering time? Allow time for response and discuss the needs of the church: repairs, lights, water, and people with special needs. Application The first church started with just a few believers telling others about Jesus. Can you think of someone you can tell about Jesus? Allow time for response. The people were happy when it was time to get together with the other believers. I hope you are happy when your mom and dad say it s time to go to church. Remember, the people in the first church liked praying, praising God, and talking about the Bible. Maybe those are some things that you like to do when you come to church, too. Can you think of some other things you like to do at church? Allow time for responses. Perhaps even though you come to church, you may be like the people in the crowd who listened to Peter talk about Jesus. Show Lesson Visual #2. Maybe you have never asked Jesus to be your Savior. Romans 3:23 tells us that we have all done wrong things. God calls the wrong things we do sin. Sin separates us from God. But John 3:16 tells us that Jesus loves us so much that He died on the cross to take the punishment for our sin. But He did not stay dead. He arose again on the third day. In Romans 10:9 we are told That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Have you 154 I Learn About the Church Lesson 1

155 told God that you are sorry for the wrong things that you have done? Have you asked Him to forgive you and to be your Savior? If you would like a teacher to help you understand more about asking Jesus to be your Savior, please come and talk to me after the lesson. Have a leader ready for counseling. For detailed invitation instructions and an explanation concerning the process of leading Early Learners to Christ, please see the appendix in this Bible Study. Let s talk to God. Prayer Time Suggestion Thank God for our church where we can get together with other people who love Jesus. Thank God that we can pray and learn more about the Bible at church. Review Questions Place several apples in front of the children. Tell them that you will read a question and then when they know the answer they should let you know by grabbing an apple. Repeat for each question. 1. What do you find inside an apple? (Seeds) 2. What will grow from one apple seed? (Apple tree with many apples) 3. What was the name of the man who told the people about Jesus? (Peter) 4. Why did Jesus die on the cross? (To pay the price for our sin) 5. What happened when Peter told the crowd about Jesus? (Many people asked Jesus to be their Savior.) I Learn About the Church Lesson 1 155

156 Snack Time Fellowship Fruit Serve fresh fruit slices, grapes, or cut banana sections. Discussion Suggestion: Tell the children that the Bible tells us that the people in the first church often ate together. Ask the children what kinds of food they think the people ate. Talk about the special things people do together at church. Ask the children what things they like to do at church. Pretzel Stick Churches Serve pretzel sticks on paper plates. Have children arrange sticks in the shape of a church building. Discussion Suggestion: Tell the children that church buildings are made from all kinds of materials. Do they think a real church building could be made from pretzel sticks? Churches can also meet in many different types of buildings. The Bible tells us the people in the first church met in people s homes. Review with the children that the first believers prayed, shared, and praised God together. Ask them what they like to do at church. Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (I Learn About the Church Lesson 1) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. How did the first church begin? (With a few people who believed in Jesus telling others about Jesus) 2. What did the people spend their time doing? (Praying, praising God, and talking about the Bible) 3. Where can you go to learn more about Jesus? (Church) 4. What kinds of things do you do at church? (Possible answers: read the Bible, pray, learn more about Jesus) Prayer Time Thank God for our church. 156 I Learn About the Church Lesson 1

157 Suggested sentence prayer Dear God, thank you for my church. Thank you that when I come to church I can. Scripture Memory Time Verse: Psalm 122:1 Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. Explain to the children that going to church should be a happy time. Remind them that the people in the first church were glad to meet together and learn more about Jesus. Say the verse aloud several times including the reference. Then ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Memory Cube Have the children stand in a circle. A leader should toss the cube into the center of the circle. When the cube lands, have all the children recite the verse, including the reference (in the version you are using) in the same position as the picture shows. (Bible person who tossed the cube acts out reading the verse from a Bible while reciting the verse; Question mark person who tossed the cube chooses how the group says the verse; Hand on head entire group pats their head as they say the verse; Hand on knees entire group pats their knees while they say the verse; Leg in air entire group says the verse while standing on one leg; Clapping hands entire group claps their hands in rhythm as they say the verse.) Choose a child to toss the cube next. Keep tossing the cube and reciting the verse until each child has had a turn or as time allows. For a variation of the game, have the child who tosses the cube say the verse alone. I Learn About the Church Lesson 1 157

158 Game Time Apple Hunt Have the children go to another room with a helper while you hide the apples. Have the children return to the room to look and find one apple. After everyone has found an apple, have the children think of something they like to do at church. Then have the children take turns completing the sentence, I m happy when it s time to go to church because. If possible, let the children take home their apples as a reminder of today s lesson. Learning Link: Remind the children that just as an apple tree grows from a little seed, the first church began with a few believers telling others about Jesus. Review with the children the things that the people in the first church did. Encourage them to share things they like to do at church. Hula Hoop Huddles Place two or three hula hoops on the floor around the room. Use more hoops depending on the number in your group. Have the children spread out and begin to move around the room. They should not step into the hoops. Have them continue moving until you blow the whistle and say, Hula hoop huddle. At that time, the children should quickly go and stand inside the nearest hula hoop. The more crowded the hoops, the more fun! Continue playing, varying the movements around the room. Suggested movements are walking on tiptoes, jumping, crawling, and marching. Learning Link: Review with the children that even though the people in the first church did not get together inside a hula hoop, they were glad to meet together. Go over with the children some of the things the believers did when they met together. Ask the children to think about what they do when they go to church. 158 I Learn About the Church Lesson 1

159 The Church Prays For Peter Scripture Passage: Acts 12:3-18 Lesson Objective and Application Children will understand that while Peter was in prison the people in the church prayed for him. The children will understand that God answered the prayers of the people of the church. At the conclusion of this lesson the children will name someone in their church whom they will pray for in the coming week. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible Two paper chains Scripture Memory Bible Game Time BASIC GAME No additional supplies needed ADVANCED GAME Beanbag OPTIONAL CRAFT One inch construction paper strips Glue sticks Stapler Markers Bible Lesson Introduction What kind of jobs does a police officer do? Allow time for response. One of the most important jobs a police officer does is keep us safe by making sure people obey the laws. If a person takes things that don t belong to them, a police officer will put that person in jail. If a person robs a bank, a police officer will put that person in jail. What if a person tells other people about Jesus? Will a police officer put that person in jail? Allow time for response. In I Learn About the Church Lesson 2 159

160 our country, we can tell people about Jesus. We can go to church. We can pray. No police officer will put us in jail. But the Bible tells us about a time when a man was put in jail for doing just those things. This man s name was Peter. We talked about Peter last week. Does anyone remember what special thing happened when Peter talked to the crowd of people? Allow time for response. Last week we talked about how the church grew because Peter and a few other people who believed in Jesus told others about Jesus. Soon, many people asked Jesus to be their Savior. The believers in the first church were glad to meet together and learn more about Jesus. But not everyone was glad that the church was growing. One day King Herod sent his soldiers to put Peter in jail. Peter had been telling other people about Jesus. I am going to open my Bible to Acts, chapter 12 to find out what happened to Peter. Let s pray and ask God to help us understand what we read from the Bible. Thank God for each boy and girl who came to Gopher Buddies. Ask God to help us be good listeners. Lesson I am going to need some special helpers today. First, I need someone to pretend to be Peter. Choose one child to come to the front of the room. We are going to pretend this is Peter. He has been busy telling other people about Jesus. The Bible tells us that King Herod sent his soldiers to take Peter to jail. Read Acts 12:4. Now, I need two people to pretend to be King Herod s soldiers. Choose two children to stand next to Peter, one on each side. The Bible tells us that Peter was chained to the soldiers. Slip the end of a paper chain on the soldiers wrist and one end on Peter s wrist. Listen as I read Acts 12: 6 to find out what Peter was doing in jail. Read Acts 12:6. What does this verse tell us Peter was doing? Allow time for response. That s right! Peter was sleeping chained to the two soldiers! Tell Peter and the soldiers to lie down and sleep. Peter was not worried. He knew that God would take care of him. Now what do you think the people in the church were doing while Peter was in jail? Listen as I read Acts 12:5. Read Acts 12:5. The people were meeting together and praying for Peter. Now I need everyone else to help me by pretending that you are the people in the church. Let s get down on our knees and pretend that we are praying for Peter. The people believed that God would hear and answer their prayers. What do you think they were asking God? Allow time for response. Well, God did hear their prayers that night. The Bible says an angel came to Peter and told him to get up and put on his clothes and shoes and follow him. Remove the paper chains from the soldiers and Peter. Tell Peter to pretend to put on his clothes. The Bible tells us that Peter followed the angel past the guards and right out of the jail. After the angel left, Peter went to the house where the believers were praying. Peter knocked on the door. What do you think the people did when they heard the knock at the door? Allow time for response. Read Acts 12:16. The people were so excited! They could hardly believe it was 160 I Learn About the Church Lesson 2

161 Peter standing at the door! Boys and girls, how do you think their faces looked when they saw Peter? Allow time for response. God had heard and answered their prayers. Peter was free from jail! You did a great job pretending with me. Let s clap for everyone while you go back to your chairs. Application Wow, I don t know about you, but I would be scared if I were put in jail. But Peter wasn t afraid. Peter knew that God would take care of him. Peter knew that when the believers met together they spent time praying. Peter knew they would pray for him. Just like the people in the first church prayed for Peter, we also should pray for people in our church. Boys and girls, can you think of anyone in our class or church that we can pray for? Do any of you have something special you would like us to pray about? Allow time for children to share. Be prepared to suggest people the children might pray for. Let s take time to talk to God right now. Prayer Time Suggestion Thank God that He hears us when we pray. Pray for people in your class or church who have special needs. Review Questions Review with the children that the people prayed for Peter while he was in jail. Have the children put their hands face down on the table. Tell them that when they think they know the answer to a question, they should let you know by folding their hands like they are praying. 1. Why was Peter put in jail? (For telling others about Jesus) 2. Who sent his soldiers to put Peter in jail? (King Herod) 3. Who did Peter know would take care of him? (God) 4. What did the angel tell Peter? (Get up and put on his clothes and follow him) 5. Where did Peter go after the angel left him? (The house where the people were meeting together and praying) I Learn About the Church Lesson 2 161

162 Snack Time Prayer Reminder Serve small pretzel sticks or round cookies with stripes. Serve with milk. Discussion Suggestion: During snack time, review the lesson with the children. The pretzel sticks or the stripes on the cookies can remind them of the bars on the jail where Peter was. Talk about what it must have been like for Peter to be in jail. Remind the children that the people in the first church met together and prayed for Peter. Encourage the children to think of someone they can pray for in their church. Licorice Chains Before class make a chain for each child using pull-apart licorice or fruit roll-ups. Discussion Suggestion: During snack time this week, review the lesson with the children. How do the licorice chains remind them of the lesson? Talk about what it must have been like for Peter to be in jail. Remind the children that the people in the first church prayed for Peter. Encourage the children to think of someone they can pray for in their church. Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (I Learn About the Church Lesson 2) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. What did the people in the church do while Peter was in jail? (Pray) 2. How did God answer the prayers for Peter? (He sent an angel to lead Peter out of jail.) 3. Whom should we pray for? (People in our church) 4. Name someone you will try to pray for this coming week. (Answers will vary) Prayer Time Thank God that we can talk to Him in prayer. 162 I Learn About the Church Lesson 2

163 Suggested sentence prayer Dear God, help me to remember to pray for people in my church. Help me to remember to pray for this coming week. Scripture Memory Time Verse: Psalm 122:1 Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. Explain to the children that going to church should be a happy time as we worship God. One important thing we can do at church is to pray for others. Say the verse aloud several times including the reference. Then ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Lock em Up and Let em Go Play this version on London Bridges to help the children learn the memory verse. Have two children pretend to be jailors and stand facing each other, holding hands with their arms raised high. Line the rest of the children up and have them walk underneath the arms of the jailors. As the children walk, have them repeat the verse including the reference. When the children say the reference, have the jailors bring down their arms and pretend to lock up the child who is between their arms. That child can then take the place of one of the jailors. Repeat until all the children have had a turn being a jailor or as time allows. Game Time Guard Chase Have the children make a large circle and clasp hands. One child (the prison guard) should stand inside the circle. Another child (the prisoner, Peter) should stand outside the circle. The object of the game is for the guard to catch the prisoner. The prisoner runs in and out of the circle trying to stay away from the guard, and the guard tries to catch the prisoner. The children raise and lower their arms to aid the prisoner and hinder the guard. The guard is also allowed to go in and out of the circle if they can go over or under the other children s arms. Have the children take turns being the guard and the prisoner. I Learn About the Church Lesson 2 163

164 Learning Link: As you explain the game to the children, review again that Peter was put into jail for telling others about Jesus. Remind the children that the people in the church prayed for Peter. Encourage the children to think of someone they can pray for this coming week. Searching for Peter Have the children form a circle. Choose one child to stand in the center of the circle pretending to be a guard. The guard should throw a beanbag to anyone in the circle and ask, Have you seen Peter? The child who catches the beanbag answers Yes and then describes another child in one statement. Example: He is wearing a green sweatshirt. The child with the bean bag then passes it to the right. The children try to get it to the child with the green sweatshirt before the guard says his name. If the guard guesses correctly in time, then Peter becomes the guard. Learning Link: As you explain the game to the children, review again how Peter was put into prison. Remind the children that the people in the church prayed for him. Encourage the children to think of someone they can pray for in the coming week. A Prayer Paper Chain Craft Provide each child with several different colors of one inch strips of construction paper. Help children write down the names of people they know who they would like to pray for in the week ahead. Have children glue their paper chain together. You may want to reinforce the glue with a stapler. Encourage the children to place their chains somewhere at home to remind them to pray. Learning Link: Ask the children what the paper chains remind them about the lesson? Talk about what it must have been like for Peter to be in jail. Remind the children that the people in the first church prayed for Peter. Encourage the children to place their chains somewhere at home to remind them to pray. 164 I Learn About the Church Lesson 2

165 Dorcas, a Great Helper In the Church Scripture Passage: Acts 9:36-42 Lesson Objective and Application Children will understand that Dorcas helped others in the church by making clothes and doing other kind things for them. At the conclusion of this lesson, the children will name one way they can be a helper in their church. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible Jar of marbles or any other small objects Tray Basket or box with fruit, bread, or rice; a blanket; a coat or sweatshirt Scripture Memory Bible Ball Game Time BASIC GAME Two laundry baskets Socks, at least one per child ADVANCED GAME An article of clothing for each child (shirt, socks, doll clothes, etc.) Two clothespins for each child Two ropes (3-4 feet long) for clothesline Four chairs to string clothesline between Optional: Two clothes baskets I Learn About the Church Lesson 3 165

166 Bible Lesson Introduction Boys and girls, I brought something special to show you today. It s my marble collection. Show a jar filled with marbles or any small objects. Have the tray under the area where you will spill the objects so that the mess will be fairly well contained. I m going to put the jar on the table so everyone can see all the different marbles I have. Pretend to accidentally spill the marbles all over the tray. Oh no, I spilled the marbles! What a mess! I need a helper to help me clean up all these marbles. Choose a few children to help. Wow, you are big helpers today! And do you know what, we need helpers at church. The Bible tells us about a lady who was a great helper in her church. Her name was Dorcas. I am going to open my Bible to Acts, chapter 9 to find out about this special helper. Let s pray and ask God to help us understand what we read. Thank God for each boy and girl who came to Gopher Buddies. Ask God to help us be good listeners. Lesson We have been talking about the first church. We talked about how the church started with just a few people who told other people about Jesus. We talked about a time when King Herod put Peter in jail because he was telling other people about Jesus. Did Peter stay in jail? Allow time for response. The church met together and prayed for Peter. God heard and answered their prayers. Peter was set free from jail. We learned that the people in the first church were happy when it was time to get together. We know they spent time praying, praising God, and talking about the Bible. They also tried to help each other. Acts chapter nine tells us about one of the helpers in the church. Her name was Dorcas. The Bible tells us that Dorcas did what she could to help other Christians. Read Acts 9:36. This verse says that Dorcas was always doing good and helping poor people. Now, boys and girls, someone who is very poor does not always have enough money to buy the things their family needs. What do you do when you are hungry? Allow time for response. But if you were poor, there might not be any money to buy food to eat. What do I have in my basket that we could use to help someone who is hungry? Allow a child to come pick a food item from the basket. Continue until all food items have been picked. What do you do when you are cold? Allow time for response. But if you were poor, there might not be any money to buy a blanket or warm clothes. What do I have in my basket that we could use to help someone who is cold? Allow a child to come pick a blanket or coat from the basket. Continue until all items have been picked. The Bible tells us that Dorcas made wonderful coats to share with people who could not buy a coat. Dorcas was a great helper in the church. 166 I Learn About the Church Lesson 3

167 Application Everyone in the church knew Dorcas was kind and helped others. You can be like Dorcas. You can be kind and help others at church. Can you think of some ways that boys and girls can be helpers at church? Allow time for response. You can help by keeping the church clean. Look around our room. Do you see any trash that needs to go in the trash can? Allow the children to pick up any trash. You can help people in the church. You might not be able to make clothes for people who are cold like Dorcas did, but you can share clothes that you do not wear or that are too small for you. You can help your mom fix a meal for another family. You can draw a picture to take to a person who is sick or sad. You can also be a good helper by sitting quietly while a leader or the pastor is talking. There are many ways that you can be a good helper just like Dorcas. Let s pray and ask God to help us be good helpers. Prayer Time Suggestion Thank God for our church. Ask God to help each of us be good helpers. Review Questions Give each child a marble (or other small item used for the Bible lesson introduction). Have children take turns answering the questions. After answering the question, have the child place a marble back in the jar. Be prepared with some extra questions, if needed, so each child with have an opportunity to give an answer and place a marble in the jar. 1. What is the name of the lady who was a good helper in the church? (Dorcas) 2. What did the Bible say Dorcas was always doing? (Doing good and helping poor people) 3. What did Dorcas make for people who were cold? (She made coats for them.) 4. What did the people in the church know about Dorcas? (That she was a good helper) 5. How can you help someone who is sick or sad? (Pray, send pictures) I Learn About the Church Lesson 3 167

168 Snack Time Rainbow Refreshments Serve rainbow vanilla wafer cookies or fruit flavored O shaped cereal. Serve with milk. Discussion Suggestion: During snack time tonight, remind the children that Dorcas made clothes for people. Ask the children what colors they think the clothes might have been. Do they think the clothes might have been one of the colors of their snack? Encourage the children to share with the group about their favorite color. Talk about ways they can be helpers in the church like Dorcas. Painted Toast Purchase small paint brushes. Wash and dry them thoroughly. In small, spill-proof plastic containers, mix three tablespoons milk and a few drops food coloring. You may add a little sugar if desired. Use a different container for each color. (Two brushes per container work well. The children will end up mixing the colors, but that s okay.) You may want to have the children put on paint smocks (men s old cotton shirts or t-shirts work well). If desired, use cookie cutters to cut shapes out of bread before toasting. Toast bread, at least two slices per child. Allow children to paint the bread with the colored milk. The painted toast can also be spread with margarine and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. Discussion Suggestion: During snack time tonight, review with the children that Dorcas made clothes for people. Ask the children what colors they think the clothes might have been. Talk about the toast they are painting and how it can remind them of the clothes Dorcas made. Encourage the children to share with the group about their favorite colors. Talk about ways they can be helpers in the church like Dorcas. 168 I Learn About the Church Lesson 3

169 Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (I Learn About the Church Lesson 3) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. Can boys and girls be helpers in the church? (Yes) 2. How can you help keep the church clean? (Pick up the trash, put things away when finished) 3. How can you be a good helper during the Bible lesson? (Sit quietly and listen) 4. Name one way you can be a helper in church. (Answers will vary) Prayer Time Thank God for all the helpers in church. Suggested sentence prayer Dear God, help me to be a good helper in my church. Scripture Memory Time Verse: Psalm 122:1 Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. Explain to the children that going to church should be a happy time as we worship God and spend time with others who believe in Him. Remind them that we have learned today that we can also be helpers at church. Say the verse aloud several times including the reference. Then ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Bouncing Ball Have the children form a circle. Tell the children that you are going to call out someone s name and bounce the ball to them. They are to catch the ball and then call out someone s name and gently bounce the ball to them. These two children then stand in the middle of the circle and say the memory verse. Be sure to help them if necessary. When they have finished reciting the verse, they should return to their places in the circle. The leader should again bounce the ball to another child and that child to another. Then those children will go to the middle of the circle and say the memory verse. Continue to play until all children have had a turn. I Learn About the Church Lesson 3 169

170 Game Time Sock Toss You will need two laundry baskets and lots of old socks rolled into a ball shape. Divide the children into two teams and have each team make a circle around each of the baskets. Give each child at least one rolled sock. At your signal, the children should begin tossing the sock balls into their team s laundry basket. The team who gets all their socks into the basket first, wins. Learning Link: Tell the children they each did a great job helping their team get all the socks in the basket. Remind the children that Dorcas was a great helper, too, because she made clothes for the people in the church. Challenge the children to remember the example of Dorcas and look for ways they can be helpers in the church. Clothesline Race You will need various articles of clothing (old shirts, socks, doll clothes, etc.), clothespins, and two ropes (three to four feet long) for clotheslines. Set up chairs at the end of the room and string a clothesline between two chairs (one clothesline for each team). Place equal piles of clothing next to the chairs or in laundry baskets. Divide the children into teams and have them form lines. Have each child run to the clothesline, choose an item from the pile or basket, and hang the item of clothing on the clothesline with a clothespin(s). They should then run back and tag the next child who will repeat the process. Continue until all the children have had a turn or as time allows. Learning Link: Praise the children for doing a great job by helping their team hang up the clothes. Talk with the children about how Dorcas helped the people in the church by making clothes for them. Challenge the children to remember the example of Dorcas and to look for ways they can be helpers in the church. 170 I Learn About the Church Lesson 3

171 Gopher Buddies Review Lesson Scripture Passage: Acts 2:42-47; Acts 12:3-18; Acts 9:36-42 Lesson Objective and Application This lesson will review and reinforce the material covered in lessons one, two and three of this module. At the conclusion of this review lesson the children will be able to name three things they can do at church. They will pray and ask God to help them always want to come to church and learn more about Him. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible Andy Gopher Puppet Small blanket Scripture Memory Bible Sets of footprints (copied from the pattern in the Scripture Memory Review Games Appendix); The number needed will vary according to the Bible version your group is memorizing. You will need one footprint per word as well as one for the reference. Game Time BASIC GAME Portable CD player and music ADVANCED GAME Six masking tape lines placed on floor Review questions from the previous three lessons Bible Lesson Gopher Puppet Dialog Grumbling sounds come from unseen puppet. Teacher: Oh my, boys and girls! Do you hear that sound? I wonder what it could be. Allow children to respond. I Learn About the Church Lesson 4 171

172 Teacher: Hmm, it sounds like Andy Gopher. I hope he s not hurt. Andy, are you all right? Andy enters with a small blanket over his head. Andy groans. Andy: No! Teacher: Andy, Andy, please come out from under that blanket and talk to me! Andy acting defiant Andy: No! Teacher: Andy, are you upset about something? Andy: Yes I am! Teacher: Well, maybe we can help you with your problem if you tell us about it. Boys and girls, do you think we could help Andy? Andy slowly comes out from under the blanket. Andy: Well, my mom told me that we were going someplace special today. Teacher: That doesn t sound like a problem; that sounds like fun! I can think of lots of special places to visit. Did she take you to the library? Andy shakes his head no. Andy: No. Teacher: Maybe the boys and girls know where you went. Let s try and guess what special place Andy visited today. Take suggestions from the children. Andy shakes his head no for every guess. Teacher: Ok, Andy, we give up. What special place did your mom take you to today? Andy: My mom brought me here to church. Andy holds his head down like he is sad. Teacher: Oh, the special place you came to was church! Well, Andy, I think the church is a very special place to visit. 172 I Learn About the Church Lesson 4

173 Andy: I don t think so. What s so special about coming to church? Teacher: That s an easy question, Andy. There are lots of great things about going to church. In fact, the past few weeks the boys and girls have learned lots of things about the church. We read in our Bible in Acts, chapter 2 about how the very first church started. Who can tell Andy how the first church started? Allow a child to respond. Teacher: The first church started when a few people who believed in Jesus told other people about Him. Andy: Uhh, what did those people believe about Jesus? Teacher: Andy, the people believed that Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for all the wrong things they have done. These people had asked Jesus to forgive them and received Him as their Savior from sin. Andy: Oh, so the people learned lots of things about Jesus at church. You know, I learn lots of things about Jesus when I go to church, too. I always like to tell my dad all about the Bible stories I hear at church. Teacher: Well, that s not all the children have learned about church. Another week we learned that the people also prayed when they met together at church. We read a story in our Bible about a time when they prayed for Peter. Who can tell Andy what happened to Peter? Allow a child to respond. Andy: I forgot all about that story. It was pretty exciting the way the angel helped Peter escape from prison. The people prayed hard to God for Peter, and He answered their prayers that night. Peter was free from jail! Teacher: That s right, Andy. Praying for other people when we come to church is a good thing to do. Andy: So, let me see if I have this right. The first church started with a few people who believed in Jesus, telling others about Him. And just like the Christians prayed for Peter, we can pray for others when we go to church. Is there anything else I should know about going to church? Teacher: Well, we did learn one more thing. We learned there are many ways that we can help others at church. We read in our Bible about a lady named Dorcas. Dorcas was a great helper in the church. Who can tell Andy about Dorcas? I Learn About the Church Lesson 4 173

174 Allow a child to respond. Andy: Wow, Dorcas was very busy helping other people! I can do things to help at church. Teacher: You can? What can you do to help, Andy? Andy: I can draw pictures to send to people in our church who are sick or sad. Teacher: Great idea, Andy! I m sure a picture from you would make anyone happy. Andy: I can also help by keeping our church clean and sitting quietly when a teacher or the pastor is talking. Teacher: Those are all great ideas, Andy! And you know what? You don t look upset anymore. Andy: Oh, no, I remember now why the church is such a special place. My mom was right! I m glad that she brought me to church today. How about you, boys and girls? Are you happy to be at church today? Allow the children to respond. Teacher: Andy, maybe you should go and tell your mom thank you for bringing you to such a special place like church. Andy: I m going to go tell her right now! Bye, boys and girls! Andy exits. Application Boys and girls, I hope that you are like Andy and believe that church is a very special place. You have learned in the past few weeks that church is a place where you can read your Bibles and learn more about Jesus. Church is a place where you can pray for people who are sick or sad. Church is a place where you can also help others. Let s thank God for letting us come to this very special place, our church. Prayer Time Suggestion Thank God for this very special place, our church, where we can learn more about Jesus, pray for others, and help others. 174 I Learn About the Church Lesson 4

175 Review Questions Remind the children that Andy remembered that church was a special place to go. He was happy his mom brought him to church. Ask the children to show you their best happy faces. Tell them that when they know the answer to the review question to let you know by showing you their happy face. For more fun, have Andy Gopher ask the children the review questions. 1. When we first saw Andy how did he feel about going to church? (Upset, angry, disappointed) 2. How did the first church begin? (A few people who believed in Jesus started telling others about Him.) 3. What did the Christians do when Peter was in jail? (They prayed for him.) 4. Who was a great helper in the church? (Dorcas) 5. How did Andy feel about going to church at the end? (He was happy and glad.) Snack Time Glad Gopher Buddies Goodies The following are some ideas of various fun little snacks that children enjoy: mini graham crackers in various shapes, dried fruit rolls, small bowls of ice cream, gelatin or pudding cups, pizza snacks, or other snacks that you know the children in your club like. Serve with juice. Discussion Suggestion: Read Psalm 122:1. Tell the children that in their memory verse, David says he was very glad when he was able to go to church. The fun snacks served tonight can help the children to remember the fun they have at Gopher Buddies and other times at church. Review the Gopher Buddies lesson and let the children tell you about their favorite part of the puppet skit this week. Review with the children the three things they learned that they can do at church. Encourage them to share what they like to do best at church. I Learn About the Church Lesson 4 175

176 Glad Gopher Buddies Cookies Make some chocolate chip or other homemade cookies. Serve with milk. Discussion Suggestion: Read Psalm 122:1. Tell the children that in their memory verse, David says he was very glad when he was able to go to church. The fun snacks served tonight can help the children to remember the fun they have at Gopher Buddies and other times at church. Review the Gopher Buddies lesson and let the children tell you about their favorite part of the puppet skit this week. Review with the children the three things they learned that they can do at church. Encourage them to share what they like to do best at church. Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (I Learn About the Church Lesson 4) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. Where can we go to learn more about Jesus? (Church) 2. What three things can you do at church? (Read the Bible and learn more about Jesus, pray for others, and help others) 3. What is one of your favorite things to do when you come to church? (Answers will vary) 4. Name one way you can be a helper at church. (Answers will vary) 5. How should we feel when it s time to go to church? (Happy) Prayer Time Thank God for church and that it is a special place to go. Suggested sentence prayer Dear God, help me to always be happy and want to come to church to learn more about You. 176 I Learn About the Church Lesson 4

177 Scripture Memory Time Verse: Psalm 122:1 Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. Explain to the children that going to church should be a happy time as we learn more about Jesus, pray for others, and help others. Say the verse aloud several times including the reference. Then ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Follow the Footsteps Make copies of the set of footprints found in the Scripture Memory Games Appendix of the Bible Study. There should be one footprint per word and also a footprint for the reference. Place the footprints on the floor, spaced far enough apart so that the children can easily step on them as they walk across them. Have the children form a line. One at a time, the children will step on the footprints as they repeat the words. Extra option: Illustrate the footsteps with a picture to match the word. For example, on the footsteps for glad draw a happy face. For go draw people walking, house draw a house, etc. Show the pictures to the children as you practice the verse. Then when they walk the footsteps, the pictures can help them remember the words. I Learn About the Church Lesson 4 177

178 Game Time Happy Feet Before beginning the game, ask the children if their feet are happy when it s time to go to church. Tell them you want to see their happy feet move all around during this game. Play music while the children move around the room. At different times stop the music and call out one of the three things they have learned they can do at church. When you call out read the Bible the children should stop moving and place their open hands in front of them like they are reading the Bible. When you call out pray for others they should stop moving and put their hands together like they are praying. When you call out help others they should find a partner and hold hands. Continue playing as time allows. Learning Link: Remind children that church is a special place to go. Tell them you hope they are always happy when it is time to go to church. Tell them this fun game will help them remember the things they can do when they go to church. Going to Church Mark six lines on the floor with masking tape at regular intervals. The first line will represent start and the last line will be church. The children will move as a group from the first line to the church line by answering the review questions about the church. Tell the children that for each right answer they will all move to the next line and one step closer to being at church. When the group arrives at the church line have everyone give a cheer because they are happy to be at church. If time allows have children return to the start line and play again. Learning Link: Remind children that church is a special place to go. Tell them you hope they are always happy when it is time to go to church. Tell them this fun game will help them remember the things they can do when they go to church. 178 I Learn About the Church Lesson 4

179 Daniel Uses Self-Control Scripture Passage: Daniel 1:1-16 Lesson Objective and Application The children will understand that Daniel had self-control when he made choices to please God and to follow His rules. At the conclusion of this lesson, the children will pray and ask God to help them have self-control and make choices that please Him. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible Plate of cookies or other dessert Plate of peas and broccoli Scripture Memory Bible Game Time BASIC GAME No additional supplies needed ADVANCED GAME Two heads of iceberg lettuce wrapped in plastic Six cardboard tubes Tape for marking floor Bible Lesson Introduction Raise your hand if you like pizza. Allow time for response. Do you ever help your mom or dad make pizza for dinner? Allow time for response. Pizza smells so good when it is cooking in the oven. The cheese melts, the crust turns golden brown, and it looks so good. Can you gobble up the pizza right when it comes out of the oven? Allow time for response. No, you can t! Why not? Allow time for response. Pizza is too hot when it first comes out of the oven. You might burn your mouth if you try to eat it right away. You have to use Self-Control Lesson 1 179

180 self-control and wait until the pizza is cool enough to eat. Then you can dig in! Does anyone know what self-control is? Self-control is when you control your own actions. Today we are going to learn about a man in the Bible named Daniel who used self-control with the food he was given. Before I tell you about Daniel, let s pray. Ask God to help the children listen carefully to the story from the Bible. Thank God for people in the Bible like Daniel who used selfcontrol and chose to obey God. Lesson I am going to open my Bible to the Book of Daniel, chapter 1. The Bible tells us about a young man named Daniel. When Daniel was young, he and some of his friends were captured and taken away from their home. They were taken to a different land called Babylon. Can you imagine what it was like for Daniel to be taken away from his home? How do you think he felt? Allow children to respond. This is where our story begins. Daniel and his friends were chosen by the King of Babylon to study and prepare to work for him. They prepared for three years. At the end of the training time, they would be ready to work for the king. Daniel and his friends learned many new things. They learned a new language and read many books! When it was time to eat, Daniel and his friends were given some of the king s special food to eat and fancy juice to drink. Uncover a plate of cookies or dessert that looks delicious. Daniel and his friends looked at what was on their plates. Wow, there was all sorts of yummy food! Let s make believe that this is what some of the King s food looked like. The Bible says that the king s food did not please God. It was not made the way God had told His people to make their food. Daniel wanted to follow God s rules and make choices that would please Him. The king s food may have looked delicious, but Daniel knew he should not eat the king s food. God helped Daniel make the right choice. Daniel did a very brave thing. He asked for vegetables and water instead of eating the king s food. Uncover a plate of peas and broccoli. Raise your hand if you would like to eat food from this plate? Point to one of the plates. Raise your hand if you would like to eat from this plate? Point to the other plate. If you had to choose between a delicious plate of dessert and a plate of vegetables, which would you choose? Would it be hard to use self-control and eat only the vegetables? It would be hard, but Daniel used self-control and made the right choice! Daniel controlled his actions and followed God s rules. He ate only the vegetables and drank only water. Application Daniel used self-control and made a choice that pleased God. Does anyone remember what self-control is? Allow time for response. Self-control means controlling your own actions. Daniel used self-control and chose not to eat the king s food. There were other times in Daniel s life that he made right choices. Daniel had to use self-control. Just like Daniel, there will be many times in our lives that we will have to make choices. We should use self-control to make choices that please God just like Daniel did. Let s think of some ways you can use self-control in your life. What if someone is mean and pushes 180 Self-Control Lesson 1

181 you? What would you do? Allow time for response. You can push them back or choose to do right and not push them. What is the right choice? Allow children to respond. You are using self-control when you choose to do the right thing, and choose not to push them back even though you feel like it. Making the choice to be kind would please God. What if your parents ask you to pick up your toys and you feel too tired to do it? You could use self-control and choose to obey your parents instead of talking back to them. It s not always easy to have self-control. We need to ask God to help us. Let s pray right now and ask God to help us use self-control to make choices that please Him! Prayer Time Suggestion Ask God to help everyone use self-control and make choices that please Him. Ask God to help everyone obey God s rules like Daniel. Review Questions Tell the children that they may practice having self-control as you ask them questions about today s Bible lesson. Tell them they need to control their own actions by staying in their seats while you ask the question. As soon as they know the answer to the question they may jump up. They should wait for you to call their name before they answer the question. 1. Whom did we learn about today? (Daniel) 2. What happened to Daniel when he was young? (He was captured.) 3. What were Daniel and his friends given to eat? (Some of the king s special food) 4. Why didn t Daniel eat the king s food? (It was not made the way God had told His people to make their food.) 5. What kind of food did Daniel ask for? (Vegetables and water) Self-Control Lesson 1 181

182 Snack Time Daniel Delights Serve cut up celery, cucumbers, and baby carrots with ranch dip and ice water to drink. Discussion Suggestion: Talk with the children while they eat this snack. Remind them that Daniel wanted to follow God s rules and make choices that would please Him. Daniel used self-control to make the choice to eat vegetables and drink water instead of eating the king s food. Remind the children that it is not always easy to have self-control, but they can always pray and ask God to help them. Daniel Dip Sticks Serve cut up celery, cucumbers, baby carrots, and cherry tomatoes. Give the children round toothpicks to spear the vegetables and then dip them in ranch dressing. Serve with ice water. Discussion Suggestion: Talk with the children while they eat. Remind them that Daniel wanted to follow God s rules and make choices that would please Him. Daniel used self-control to make the choice to eat vegetables and drink water instead of eating the king s food. Remind the children that it is not always easy to have selfcontrol, but they can always pray and ask God to help them. Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (Self-Control Lesson 1) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. What kind of choices did Daniel want to make? (Choices to follow God s rules and please Him) 2. What did Daniel use to make the right choice? (Self-control) 3. What does self-control mean? (To control your own actions) 4. Who can help you have self-control? (God) Prayer Time Ask God to help the children have self-control. 182 Self-Control Lesson 1

183 Suggested sentence prayer Dear God, it is not always easy to control my actions. Please help me have self-control and make choices that please You. Scripture Memory Time Verse: Proverbs 25:28 Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. If your version of the Bible uses the word hath, explain to the children that this word is the same as the word has. Daniel wanted to follow God s rules. He used selfcontrol to make good choices that pleased God. Say the verse including the reference aloud several times. Then ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Simon Says Say Your Bible Verse Have the children stand up and spread out to give themselves room to play this version of Simon Says. Tell the children the rules of Simon Says. Every three or four instructions say Simon Says Say Your Bible Verse. All the children should repeat the Bible verse. Continue to play as time allows. Variation: Play Simon Says as usual with one change: when a child is out, they may say the Bible verse to get back in the game. Game Time Carrot, Carrot, Corn Have children sit in a circle on the floor to play this version of Duck, Duck, Goose. Choose one child to be It. Have the child walk around the outside of the circle and tap the heads of the other players and say whether they are a carrot or corn. Once someone is chosen as the corn, they get up and try to chase it around the circle. The goal is to tag the person who is it before they are able to sit down in the empty spot. Continue playing until everyone has had a chance to be the corn. Self-Control Lesson 1 183

184 Learning Link: Tell the children that this game should help them remember that Daniel had self-control when he made the choice to eat vegetables instead of the king s food. This game is also a good way for them to work on having self-control. They had to use selfcontrol as they wait their turn to be the corn. Ask them if it was easy or hard to wait for their turn. Remind the children that they can always pray and ask God to help them have self-control. Lettuce Bowl Self-Control Divide children into two teams. Designate a start line with a piece of masking tape. A few feet from the start line place six cardboard tubes in a pyramid shape. Have children on each team take turns going to the start line and rolling the head of lettuce to see how many tubes they can knock down. Each player should get two tries for each turn. Have a helper set the tubes back up at the end of each child s turn. Continue playing until everyone has had a turn. Play again if time allows. Learning Link: Tell the children that this game should help them remember that Daniel had self-control when he made the choice to eat vegetables, like lettuce, instead of eating the king s food. Tell the children that they needed to have self-control as they played the game. They had to use self-control as they waited their turn to roll the lettuce. They also had to control their actions and remember to roll the lettuce and not throw it. Remind the children that when they have a hard time controlling their actions, they can always pray and ask God to help them. 184 Self-Control Lesson 1

185 Gopher Buddies Review Lesson Scripture Passage: Daniel 1:1-16 Lesson Objective and Application The children will understand wants them to have self-control by following His rules and making choices that God that please Him. At the conclusion of this review lesson, the children will name one way they will practice self-control in the coming week. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible Emily Gopher puppet Father Gopher puppet Scripture Memory Bible 1 index card per child (number half of them #1 and the other half #2) Optional: Portable CD player and music Game Time BASIC GAME Chairs for one fewer than the number of children in the class Portable CD player and music ADVANCED GAME Go sign (found in the Scripture Memory Review Games appendix) Stop sign (found in the Scripture Memory Review Games appendix) Tape for marking floor Self-Control Lesson 2 185

186 Bible Lesson Gopher Puppet Dialog Teacher: Last week we learned about self-control. Does anyone remember what self-control is? Allow time for response. Self-control means controlling your own actions. Last week we talked about Daniel, a young man who used self-control and chose not to eat the king s food. He used self-control and made a choice that pleased God. Emily enters excitedly. Emily: Did somebody say self-control? I just learned all about self-control and I know a way I can practice self-control. Teacher: Hi, Emily! Tell us about how you can use self-control. Emily: When Mommy asks me to clean my room, and I really don t want to stop what I m doing and go clean my room, I can use self-control. I can make the right choice and obey without complaining. Teacher: That s a great idea, Emily. You know, God is pleased when we choose to follow His rules. Obeying your parents is one of His rules! We can use self-control every day! Father Gopher comes up as teacher speaks. Father: Hello, everyone! Teacher: Hello, Father Gopher. Father: Well, I just pulled the last batch of my famous triple chocolate chip cookies out of the oven. Emily speaks excitedly. Emily: Triple chocolate chip cookies! Those are my most favorite cookies of all time! Can I have one right now Daddy, please, please, pretty please, with sugar on top? Father: No Emily, the cookies are for our dessert. We are going to eat them after dinner. Emily: But they smell so good and they are so yummy and delicious. Do I really have to wait until after dinner? 186 Self-Control Lesson 2

187 Father: You sure do! By the way, I thought I just heard you talking about selfcontrol. This seems like a good chance for you to practice some self-control. Emily: You re right, Daddy. It s just that sometimes it s so hard to control my actions and make the right choice. Father: I know Emily but God is happy when you choose to obey and do what is right. Remember Daniel? He chose to not eat the king s food and that pleased God. Emily: How could I forget? Daniel asked for veggies and water! But he was in training to work for the king. I m not in training for anything so can t I just have some now? Teacher: That s right; Daniel was in training to work for the king, but that wasn t the point. Daniel had a choice. He could do what was easy and just eat the food like everyone else, or he could choose to obey what God had said. Father: You have a choice, Emily. You can just give in to what you want, or you can use self-control and choose to obey and wait. Teacher: Daniel used self-control and ate the food that pleased God. It was the right thing to do. Emily: And I need to use self-control and wait until after dinner to have my cookie because it s important to obey. It s the right thing to do. Father: Thanks, Emily. I ll call you when dinner is ready! Goodbye, everyone. I m off to make my famous triple cheese pizza for dinner. Father Gopher exits. Emily speaks excitedly at first, then slows and speaks with thoughtfulness. Emily: Triple cheese pizza I love triple cheese pizza! I can t wait until it s ready umm, I mean, uh, I ll use self-control to wait patiently until it s ready! Goodbye, everyone! Emily exits. Teacher: Emily had some good ideas of how she could use self-control. What is one way that each of you can use self-control this week? Allow time for response. Application Emily used self-control to wait until after dinner to eat one of her favorite triple chocolate chip cookies. Emily followed the good example of Daniel. In Self-Control Lesson 2 187

188 our Bible lesson last week, we learned Daniel practiced self-control and made choices to follow God s rules and please Him. Just like Emily and Daniel, you will have times when you will need to have self-control. You will need to make the right choice and follow God s rules. Many times self-control and obeying go together. If the teacher says to sit still, but you are feeling kind of silly, you have to use self-control to sit still and obey the teacher. If your parents say to have just one cookie, but they taste so good, we have to use self-control and not take more than one. We can ask God to help us have selfcontrol, even if our parents leave the whole plate of cookies on the table and leave the room! God wants us to have self-control, follow His rules, and make choices that please Him. Let s pray and ask God to help us have self-control and make choices that please Him! Prayer Time Suggestion Pray that each person will obey God s rules. Pray that each child will use selfcontrol this week. Review Questions Tell the children that today Emily Gopher will ask them the questions about today s lesson. 1. How did Emily use self-control when her mom asked her to clean the room? (She obeyed without complaining.) 2. What does self-control mean? (Controlling your own actions) 3. How did Daniel use self-control? (He did not eat the king s food.) 4. What goes together with self-control? (Obeying) 5. When we use self-control, who is pleased? (God) 188 Self-Control Lesson 2

189 Snack Time Gopher Goodies The snack this week should be served in one large bowl. Some good options are a cereal snack mix, popcorn, cheese puffs, etc. Place one scoop or measuring cup in the bowl. Give each child their own bowl or napkin. Discussion Suggestion: Place the snack bowl on the table and tell the children that they can take turns and serve themselves using the scoop. Tell them this is a great time for them to practice selfcontrol by controlling their own actions as they take the right amount of snack. Remind the children that they will need to use self-control and be sure not to take too much so there is enough snack for everyone. They will need to use self-control and place their snack in their bowls and not on the table. Ask the children if they can think of other ways they can use self-control during snack time. Emily s Edibles Prepare in advance plates of cookies or graham crackers. Have small containers of frosting and sprinkles. Have plastic knives or craft sticks for children to use as spreaders. Allow children to take their own snack from the plate and spread frosting and sprinkles on it. Serve with milk. Discussion Suggestion: Talk with the children how they chose and made their own snack tonight. Tell them this was not only snack time, but also a time for them to practice controlling their actions, using self-control. Talk with them about how they needed selfcontrol to choose the right amount of snack to take. They needed self-control when they spread the frosting and put sprinkles on their snack so they did not make a big mess. By using self-control, they would leave enough for their friends. Ask the children to think of other ways they had to use self-control during snack time. Self-Control Lesson 2 189

190 Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (Self-Control Lesson 2) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. What does God want you to have? (Self-control) 2. When it is hard to have self-control, Who will help you? (God) 3. If you have self-control, what kind of choices will you make? (The right choices to follow God s rules and please Him) 4. Name one way that you can practice self-control this week. (Answers will vary) Prayer Time Ask God to help the children remember that He wants them to have self-control by making choices to follow God s rules and please Him. Suggested sentence prayer Dear God, please help me to practice self-control this week by. Scripture Memory Time Verse: Proverbs 25:28 Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. If your version of the Bible uses the word hath, explain to the children that this word is the same as the word has. God wants us to have self-control. We have selfcontrol when we make choices to follow God s rules and please Him. Say the verse including the reference aloud several times. Then ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Match the Number Have an index card numbered either 1 or 2 for each child. Place the index cards face down on the floor in an open area. As you say the verse and reference aloud, have the children walk around the cards. When you are finished saying the verse, have the children stop and pick up the card closest to them. Have all the children holding a 1 say the verse and reference together. Then have all the children holding a 2 say the verse and reference together. Repeat the game as time allows. A variation of this game would be 190 Self-Control Lesson 2

191 to play music while the children are walking around and when the music stops they pick up a card. Game Time Musical Chairs You will need one fewer chairs than you have children playing the game. Line the chairs up back to back. Have one leader sit by the CD player to turn it on and off. When the music plays, the children should walk carefully around the chairs until the music stops. When the music stops, they should quickly sit down in a chair. The person left standing without a chair should move to the side to watch. It s a good idea to have a small sticker or piece of candy for the children to eat while they sit out. Remove one chair each time a person leaves the circle. Continue to play until only one child is sitting in the chair. Repeat as time allows. Learning Link: Tell the children that this was a good game to play for them to practice using self-control. Tell the children they needed to use self-control to not shove or push their friends as they tried to find a chair. They also needed to use self-control to sit out when it was their turn. Remind the children that God wants them to have self-control, follow His rules, and make choices that please Him. Red Light, Green Light Mark a starting line and finish line on the floor. Line the children up facing you behind the starting line. Stand behind the finish line or in an out-of-the-way area where the children can see you. When you say Green Light and hold up the Go sign, the children should walk toward the finish line. When you say Red Light and hold up the Stop sign, the children should stop. Any child who doesn t stop when you hold up the Stop sign goes back to the starting line. The child who crosses the finish line first is the winner. Variation: Only hold up the signs and do not say green light, red light. Learning Link: Tell the children that this was good game for them to practice using self-control. They needed to use self-control to obey what the leader was saying. They needed to use self-control when they had to start over, even when they didn t want to go back. Remind the children that God wants them to have self-control, follow His rules, and make choices that please Him. Self-Control Lesson 2 191

192 192 Self-Control Lesson 2

193 Joseph Forgives His Brothers Scripture Passage: Genesis 37; 39; 41; 45 Lesson Objective and Application The children will understand that just like God wanted Joseph to forgive his brothers, they need to forgive those who hurt them. At the conclusion of this lesson, the children will ask God to help them forgive others. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible Lesson Visuals #1-4 Scripture Memory Bible One copy each of the STOP and GO signs (found in the Scripture Memory Review Games appendix) Game Time BASIC GAME Two men s robes or flannel shirts Tape for marking floor ADVANCED GAME Two measuring cups or scoops Four bowls Dried beans, rice, or box of cereal Bible Lesson Introduction Boys and girls, tell us about one of your very favorite toys. Allow time for response. Let s pretend that you let your friend or your brother or sister play with your favorite toy, and while they are playing with it they break it. How would this make you feel? Allow time for response. What would you do if they tell you they are sorry and ask you to forgive them? Allow time for response. Wow, sometimes it is very hard to forgive someone when they upset you and do something like breaking your favorite toy. The Bible tells us about a man Forgiveness Lesson 1 193

194 named Joseph who had to forgive his brothers. Let s find out why Joseph had to forgive them. We can read about Joseph and his brothers in the Bible in the Book of Genesis. Let s ask God to help us learn something new today from His Word. Thank God for giving us His Word. Ask God to help us understand the story of Joseph. Lesson Joseph was a smart boy and was his father s favorite son. His father made a special coat that was beautiful and gave it to Joseph to show him how much he loved him. Show Lesson Visual #1. Joseph had ten brothers who were older than he was. The Bible tells us they did not like Joseph. Listen as I read Genesis 37:4 to see if you can find out why. Read Genesis 37:4. The Bible says Joseph s brothers did not like him because they knew their father loved Joseph more than he loved them. After all, Joseph was the only one who received a beautiful coat from their father. Joseph s brothers started saying mean things about him. They made a plan to get rid of Joseph. Then one day, their chance came to get rid of Joseph. The brothers were working out in the fields. Joseph s father sent Joseph to check on his brothers. It took Joseph a long time to find them. When he did find them, the brothers jumped on Joseph. They threw Joseph into a pit. Later the brothers met some men who were traveling to Egypt. Show Lesson Visual #2. They sold Joseph to the men. The men would take Joseph to Egypt and sell him as a slave. Now the brothers thought they would never have to see Joseph again! Joseph was sold as a slave in Egypt. A slave is a person who must work for someone else without pay. A slave cannot choose how he spends his time. He can do only what someone else tells him to do. As a slave Joseph had to work very hard. One day someone told lies about Joseph, and he was sent to prison. Joseph might have stayed in prison until he died. But God had not forgotten him. Show Lesson Visual #3. God helped Joseph explain a dream to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. Pharaoh s dream was a warning from God that there would be seven good years. In those seven good years there would be lots and lots of food. There would be plenty of food for the people to eat. After that there would be seven bad years. In the seven bad years no food would grow. Joseph warned Pharaoh to save food during the seven good years, so they would have enough food during the seven bad years. Joseph was right about the warning from God. Pharaoh did not put Joseph back in jail; he put Joseph in charge of all the food in the whole country. Joseph s plan saved the lives of many people. One day, Joseph s brothers traveled to Egypt to buy some of that food. Show Lesson Visual #4. They had to ask Joseph for food. The ten brothers did not know that this very important man was their brother whom they had treated so badly. It had been many years since they had seen him. When he saw his 194 Forgiveness Lesson 1

195 brothers, Joseph knew who they were right away. Joseph did not tell his brothers who he was. But, the next time his brothers came back to buy food, Joseph told them who he was. How do you think his brothers felt when Joseph told them who he was? Allow time for response. Read Genesis 45:3. The Bible says his brothers were so afraid they couldn t even speak to Joseph. But they didn t need to be afraid. Joseph hugged them all and forgave them. Joseph knew everything that had happened to him had been part of God s plan. Joseph told his brothers to bring the whole family and come live in Egypt with him. Joseph was able to see his father again and take care of his family. Application Joseph s brothers were sorry for hurting him. When Joseph forgave them, they cried with joy. Joseph probably did not completely understand why his brothers had treated him so badly. But he knew God wanted him to love and forgive them for being so mean to him. You may not always know why people are unkind to you. Someone at the park may say mean things to you. Someone at daycare may push you and make you fall down. Maybe your best friend won t share their toys with you. When things like that happen to you and you begin to feel sad or angry, remember how Joseph forgave his brothers. God wants you to forgive, too. Sometimes it is very hard to forgive someone. That is when you need to pray and ask God to help you forgive them. Let s thank God that we can learn from the story of Joseph. Prayer Time Suggestion Thank God for the story of Joseph and how he forgave his brothers. Review Questions Review with the children that in today s Bible lesson Joseph hugged his brothers and forgave them. Divide the children into pairs. Tell them to hug their partner when they know the answer to the review question. 1. What did Joseph s father give him? (A beautiful coat) 2. How did Joseph s brothers feel about him? (They did not like him.) 3. Where did the brothers throw Joseph? (Into a pit) 4. Why did Joseph s brothers travel to Egypt? (To buy food) 5. How did Joseph s brothers feel when Joseph told them who he was? (Afraid) Forgiveness Lesson 1 195

196 Snack Time Joseph s Snack Serve dry cereal as a snack with milk to drink. Discussion Suggestion: Talk with children about how the cereal they are having for a snack is made from grain. Tell the children that when Joseph s brothers went to Egypt they were buying grain. Grain is things like corn, wheat, or oats. The grain they bought probably didn t look like this, but cereal is made from some of the same type of grain that Joseph stored in Egypt. The brothers didn t know that they were buying grain from Joseph, did they? Talk about how Joseph forgave his brothers. Ask the children if they think it was hard for Joseph to forgive his brothers. Remind them they can always ask God to help them forgive others. Cereal Squares 1/4 cup regular margarine 10-oz. pkg. regular marshmallows (about 40) 6 cups crispy rice cereal Measure margarine into a 2 or 3 quart saucepan; melt over low heat. Add marshmallows and heat stirring constantly until marshmallows are melted and mixture is very syrupy. Remove from heat. Add crispy rice cereal. Stir until cereal is well coated. Spread warm mixture in buttered 13" 9" 2" pan. Using wax paper or buttered spatula, press mixture firmly into an even layer. Cut into squares when cool. Yield: 24 two-inch squares. Serve with milk. Discussion Suggestion: Talk with children about how the cereal squares they are having for a snack are made from grain. Tell the children that when Joseph s brothers went to Egypt they were buying grain. Grain is things like corn, wheat, and rice. The brothers didn t know that they were buying grain from Joseph, did they? Talk about how Joseph forgave his brothers. Ask the children if they think it was hard for Joseph to forgive his brothers. Remind them they can always ask God to help them forgive others. 196 Forgiveness Lesson 1

197 Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (Forgiveness Lesson 1) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. What does God always want you to do? (Forgive others) 2. Do you think it is easy or hard to forgive someone who has been mean to you? (Answers will vary) 3. What can you do when you need help forgiving someone? (Pray and ask God to help you) Prayer Time Ask God to help us forgive others when they hurt us. Suggested sentence prayer Dear God, help me to forgive others. Scripture Memory Time Verse: Colossians 3:13 Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. Explain to the children that God forgives us when we tell Him we are sorry for our sins. Because He forgives us, He wants us to forgive others. Say the verse aloud several times including the reference. Then, ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Stop and Go Make one copy of the Stop and Go signs found in the Scripture Memory Games appendix of the Bible Study. Hold up the Stop and Go signs. Tell the children when you hold up the Go sign they should begin saying the Bible verse. When you hold up the Stop sign, they should stop saying the verse until you hold up the Go sign again. Repeat as time allows. Forgiveness Lesson 1 197

198 Game Time Joseph s Coat Relay Mark a starting and return line on the floor with tape. Divide the children into two teams and have them line up behind the starting line. Place a man s robe or shirt at the return line. At your signal, have the first child in each line run down to the return line, put the robe or the shirt on, and run back to the starting line, take off the robe, and be seated at the end of the line. Continue playing until all the children have had a turn. The first team to have all their team members seated wins. Learning Link: Joseph s father gave him a special coat. This made his brothers jealous and mean to him. They disliked him so much that they sold him as a slave. Would you have a hard time forgiving someone if they had sold you as a slave? Joseph loved God and he loved his brothers, too. He forgave his brothers. Just like God wanted Joseph to forgive his brothers, He wants us to forgive those who hurt us. When people are unkind to you, remember this game and think of how Joseph forgave his brothers. Remind the children to pray and ask God to help them forgive others. Measuring Grain Divide the children into two teams. Put an equal amount of grain into two different bowls and place them in front of the teams. Put a scoop or measuring cup into each bowl with the grain. Place an empty bowl next to each filled bowl. Signal the children to begin, and have each child take a turn filling the scoop with grain and dumping it into the second bowl. Keep going, one child at a time, until the first bowl is empty. The first team to transfer all their grain to the second bowl wins. Repeat as time allows. A variation for the second time playing would be to have the children count each scoop aloud and find out how many scoops are in their bowl. 198 Forgiveness Lesson 1

199 Learning Link: Joseph worked very hard to take care of the grain and make sure that everyone had enough to eat. He must have been very surprised to see his brothers come to get grain. Do you think he was surprised to see his brothers? Do you think the brothers were surprised to find out who Joseph was? Joseph is a good example to us. He showed us how to forgive others. Our game of scooping grain this week can help us to remember our lesson about Joseph. Challenge the children to remember what they have learned about forgiveness through the lesson of Joseph. Forgiveness Lesson 1 199

200 200 Forgiveness Lesson 1

201 Gopher Buddies Review Lesson Scripture Passage: This lesson covers the material from lesson 1 of this module, Genesis 37; 39; 41; 45 Lesson Objective and Application The children will review the lesson of Joseph forgiving his brothers and begin to understand that God wants them to forgive others, too. At the conclusion of this review lesson, the children will name someone they might need to forgive and ask God to help them forgive that person. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible Andy Gopher Puppet Empty aspirin bottle One sealed bag of grain (corn, oatmeal, rice, etc.) Scripture Memory Bible Four different colors of construction paper, one sheet per child Portable CD player and music Game Time BASIC GAME One sealed bag of grain (corn, oatmeal, rice, etc.) ADVANCED GAME One sealed bag of grain (beans or rice), doublebagged Tape for marking floor Bible Lesson Gopher Puppet Dialog Andy enters holding an aspirin bottle and making grunting sounds. Andy: Grr Aw Um Teacher: Hi, Andy, what are you doing? Andy: I am trying to open this bottle. Can you help me? Forgiveness Lesson 2 201

202 Teacher takes the bottle of aspirin from Andy. Teacher: Andy, what are you doing with an aspirin bottle? Andy: I need it because I am allergic to someone. Teacher: Who are you allergic to? Andy: I think I am allergic to my sister. Every time she messes up my toys, I feel hot all over! Teacher: Oh, I see. Andy: I also have a headache. Teacher: Why do you have a headache? Andy: The boys on the playground laughed at me when I was picked to play on the girls team for soccer! Teacher: It doesn t feel so great when friends laugh at us, does it? Andy: Boy, you can say that again. It hurt my feelings and made me so mad! And now I have a big headache! Teacher: Andy, this medicine will not help your problem. Medicine should only be taken when a parent or a doctor gives it to you. But I can tell you what will help you. Andy: What? Tell me! Teacher: You need to think about forgiving Emily for messing up your stuff and your friends for making fun of you. Andy looks confused. Andy: Forgive them? Teacher: Yes, Andy, you need to forgive them. Emily upset you by messing up your toys. The boys on the playground hurt your feelings and made you mad when they laughed at you. Sometimes when we don t forgive people and keep being mad at them, we are the ones who end up feeling bad. The Bible tells us that God wants us to forgive each other. Andy: Where does it say that in the Bible? Teacher: Read Ephesians 4:32 from an open Bible. 202 Forgiveness Lesson 2

203 Andy: But, (insert teacher s name), sometimes it is so hard to forgive! Teacher: I know it is, Andy. But God gave us examples that we can follow in the Bible. The boys and girls have been learning about a guy that forgave his brothers. Boys and girls, do you remember his name? Take responses from the children. (Joseph) Andy: What kind of bad things happened to Joseph? Teacher: Lots of bad things happened to Joseph. First, he had problems with his brothers. Who can tell Andy what Joseph s brothers did to him? Take responses from the children. (They threw him into a pit and sold him as a slave.) Andy: His brothers were really mean to him! Teacher: That s right, Andy. Joseph was taken to Egypt to be a slave. While he was there someone told lies about him and he was thrown into prison. Andy: Wow, I wonder if Joseph had a headache like me. Teacher: He might have, Andy. But God did not leave Joseph in jail. God had a bigger plan for Joseph. What did Joseph do for the king of Egypt? Take responses from the children. (He told Pharaoh the meaning of his dream. He helped store food for the people to eat during the seven bad years.) Andy: Cool, God used Joseph to save the lives of many people! Teacher: That s right, Andy. He even saved the lives of his brothers by giving them some of the food he had stored. Andy: Joseph shared with his brothers even after they had done so many mean things to him? Teacher: Yes he did, Andy. Joseph knew that God wanted him to forgive. The Bible tells us that Joseph s whole family moved to Egypt to live. Joseph s family was very happy to be together again. Andy: Joseph s story had a happy ending. Teacher: Yes, it did. Joseph obeyed God and forgave his brothers. And do you know what Andy? When we forgive people who do mean things to us, it makes us feel better, too. Forgiveness Lesson 2 203

204 Andy: You re right, (insert teacher s name), I don t need aspirin to make me feel better. I need to forgive Emily and the guys on the playground. I d better go do that right now. Teacher: Good-bye, Andy. I m going to keep this aspirin bottle and give it to your mother later. Application Boys and girls, Andy felt bad! He was upset at his sister and mad at his friends. The story of Joseph forgiving his brothers helped Andy know what he needed to do to feel better. He needed to forgive Emily and the boys who made fun of him. Maybe you are feeling bad like Andy today because someone has done something mean to you and you need to forgive them. Maybe someone at the park made fun of you because of the way you kicked the ball. Maybe your brother knocked over the block tower you had spent all morning building. Maybe your best friend hurt your feelings when she said she didn t like your new sweater. When things like that happen to you and you begin to feel sad or angry, I hope you will remember the Bible story about Joseph and how he forgave his brothers for all the mean things they had done to him. God wants you to forgive others, too. Can you think of someone you might need to forgive? Will you choose to obey God and forgive them? Let s ask God to help us do this. Prayer Time Suggestion Ask God to help us forgive others when they hurt us. Review Questions Have the children stand in a line on one side of the room and place a sealed bag of grain opposite of them across the room. Tell the children that when they know the answer to a question, they should tiptoe across the room and pick up the bag of grain. The first child to get the grain can answer the question. Repeat for each review question. 204 Forgiveness Lesson 2

205 1. What did Andy s sister do to make him mad? (She messed up his toys.) 2. What happened to Andy at the playground? (The boys laughed at him.) 3. What did Andy need to help him feel better? (He needed to forgive those who had hurt him.) 4. What did Joseph s brothers do to him? (They threw him in a pit and sold him as a slave.) 5. How did Joseph save the lives of his brothers? (He gave them food.) Snack Time Wheat Crackers Serve some type of wheat cracker with cheese spread or cheese slices, and juice. Discussion Suggestion: Talk with the children about this week s lesson. What did Andy Gopher learn he needed to do? What story in the Bible have they been studying that teaches how important it is to forgive others? Tell the children the crackers they are eating are made of wheat or grain. Joseph s brothers went to Egypt to buy grain. When Joseph saw his brothers, he knew God wanted him to forgive them. God wants us to forgive others, too. Oatmeal Cookies 1 cup butter or margarine 3/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed 3/4 cup granulated sugar 2 eggs 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1-1/4 cups flour 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. baking soda 3 cups oatmeal Forgiveness Lesson 2 205

206 In a large bowl, mix butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla until light and fluffy. Sift together dry ingredients. Add sifted dry ingredients to creamed mixture. Fold in oatmeal. Mix well. Drop from a teaspoon onto greased baking sheets. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 6 8 minutes. Variation: Add one 7-ounce package of chocolate chips or raisins. Serve with milk. Discussion Suggestion: Talk with the children about this week s lesson. What did Andy Gopher learn about? What story in the Bible have they been studying that teaches how important it is to forgive others? Tell the children that the cookies they are eating are made of a kind of grain. Review how God brought Joseph and his brothers together because they needed to buy grain. God wanted Joseph to forgive his brothers. He wants us to forgive others, too. Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (Forgiveness Lesson 2) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. Whom does God want us to forgive? (People who hurt us) 2. Is it easy or hard to forgive someone who has upset you? (Answers will vary) 3. Can you think of someone you might need to forgive? (Answers will vary) Prayer Time Thank God for the story of Joseph and how he forgave his brothers. Suggested sentence prayer Dear God, please help me to forgive. 206 Forgiveness Lesson 2

207 Scripture Memory Time Verse: Colossians 3:13 Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. Explain to the children that God forgives us when we tell Him we are sorry for our sins. Because He forgives us, He wants us to forgive others. Say the verse aloud several times including the reference. Then, ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Musical Colors Place different colors of construction paper on the floor in a circle. Use one sheet of paper per child. Have the children walk around the outside of the paper circle as you play music. When the music stops, the children should stand by the paper closest to them. Call out one of the colors. All the children standing by that color should say the verse and reference. Repeat until all the children have had a turn or as time allows. A variation of this game is to repeat the verse as the children walk around the circle. When you stop, they should stand on the closest color. Game Time Grain Bag Drop Have children form a circle and stand facing each other. Choose one child to be Joseph and have them hold the bag of grain. Joseph should begin walking around the outside of the circle. Have Joseph drop the bag of grain behind one of the other children and then begin running around the circle. The child behind whom the grain bag was dropped must pick it up and start to run after Joseph, trying to catch them. Joseph shoud try to run completely around the circle and get back to the open space before the child with the grain does. Have Joseph take the open space, and the child with the grain becomes the next Joseph. Continue to play until all the children have had a turn to be Joseph. Learning Link: Remind the children that Joseph saved the lives of his brothers by giving them some grain. Tell the children this game can help them remember how Joseph forgave his brothers even after they had done many mean things to him. Remind the children that God wants us to forgive others, too. Forgiveness Lesson 2 207

208 Grain Toss Divide the children into two teams and have each team form a line. Each child should be directly across from another child. The lines should be fairly close together. Start at about one foot apart. Take your double-bagged bag of grain and hand it to the first child in one line. That child should toss the bag to the child across from him. This child then tosses it to the next child in the opposite line. Continue zigzagging the bag on down the line. The children should try to catch the bag, but if a child drops it, just pick it up and continue the game. When the grain comes to the end of the line, have the children all take one step backward and begin again. Repeat as time allows, seeing how far apart the children can move and successfully toss the bag. Learning Link: Joseph s brothers carried grain from Egypt to their father s home. This game can help the children to think about all the bags of grain that had to be stored and given to the people during the shortage of food. God wants us to forgive others, just as Joseph forgave his brothers. 208 Forgiveness Lesson 2

209 John the Baptist Tells the Truth Scripture Passage: John 1:19-36 Lesson Objective and Application The children will understand that God wants them to always tell the truth. At the conclusion of this lesson, the children will name a place where they will try to always tell the truth in the coming week. They will pray and ask God to help them do this. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible Scripture Memory Bible Game Time BASIC GAME No additional supplies needed ADVANCED GAME Four pieces of construction paper or poster board, labeled Church, School, Home, and Playground Tape or stickytack (for putting the labels onto the wall) Portable CD player and music Honesty Lesson 1 209

210 Bible Lesson Introduction Let s play a little game to get our story started today. I am going to think of a color, and I want you to try to guess which color I am thinking of. I have a little rhyme that goes along with our game. I m thinking of a color, As bright as can be. Can you guess the color, Before I count to three? Count to three and then allow the children to guess until someone picks the color. Great job, you guessed the color I was thinking about! This game was fun because I told you when you picked the color I was thinking about. I was careful to be honest. That means that I was careful to tell you the truth. Now it is your turn to think of a color. Choose a child to come up front and think of a color. Ask the child to whisper the color in your ear. (Insert child s name) is thinking of a color. (Insert child s name) is going to be very careful to tell you the truth. They will be careful to be honest. Once again, say the rhyme with the children. I m thinking of a color, As bright as can be. Can you guess the color, Before I count to three? Count to three and allow the children to guess until someone chooses the color. Great job, you guessed the color (Insert child s name) was thinking about! (Insert child s name) did a great job telling you the truth. Being honest and telling the truth made this game fun! Thank the child and ask them to sit down. The Bible, God s Word, tells us about a man who was very careful to tell the truth. I am going to open my Bible to John, chapter 1. Let s ask God to help us understand what we read. Pray. Ask God to help us be good listeners. Thank God for giving us true stories in His Word to help us understand that it is important to tell the truth. Lesson John, chapter 1 tells us about a man whose name was John. God had given John a very special job. His job was to go and tell people that Jesus was coming. John warned the people that they needed to be sorry for the wrong things they had done, and he told them what they needed to do to get ready to meet Jesus. John told the people that Jesus is God s own Son who came to the earth. John had a very important job to do. Some of the people were 210 Honesty Lesson 1

211 confused. They thought that John was Jesus. They would ask John who he was. John was always careful to tell the truth. John 1:19 tells us that the priests from the temple came to ask John if he was Jesus Christ. Listen as I read John 1:20 to see if John was honest. Read John 1:20. So, boys and girls, did John tell the truth? Allow responses. Yes, John was careful to tell the truth! John 1:21 tells us that next they asked John if he was the prophet Elijah. Listen as I read John 1:21 to see if John was honest this time. Read John 1:21. Did John tell the truth? Allow responses. Yes, John was careful to tell the truth! Then one day Jesus came to where John was teaching. Let s read John 1:29-30 to see what John said this time. Read John 1: Was John honest? Allow responses. Yes, John was careful to tell the truth! He told the people that this was Jesus, the One who had come to pay the price for the wrong things people do. John told the people that this was Jesus, the Son of God. Application John knew that it was important to be honest. When people asked him who he was, he knew that it was important to always tell the truth. God wants you to tell the truth, too. Let s think of some places you may go each week where you need to tell the truth. Allow time for responses. You may go to the park and play soccer. Does God want you to tell the truth when someone asks you how many goals you made in the game? Yes, God wants you to tell the truth. You may go to school or daycare during the week. Does God want you to tell the truth when your teacher asks you if you washed your hands before snack time? Yes, God wants you to tell the truth when you are at school. How about when you are at home? Does God want you to tell the truth when your Mom asks you if you snuck a cookie before dinner? Yes, God wants you to tell the truth when you are at home. What about when you come to church? Does God want you to tell the truth when someone asks if you put all your money in the offering plate? Yes, God wants you to tell the truth when you are at church. Wow, let s remember this week that wherever we are, God wants us to always tell the truth. God (Point to Heaven.) Wants me (Point to yourself.) To always tell the truth. (Point to your mouth.) Can you say that with me? Have the children repeat the phrase and motions with you three times. Let s pray and ask God to help us to always tell the truth. Honesty Lesson 1 211

212 Prayer Time Suggestion Thank God for the story of John. Ask God to help us always tell the truth. Review Questions Before asking each review question, say the following rhyme: I m asking a question to those right here with me. Boys and girls, can you answer, before I count to three? Count to three, and then allow children to try to answer the question. 1. Was it important to tell the truth when we played the color game? (Yes) 2. What was John s special job? (To tell the people that Jesus was coming) 3. Whom did John tell the people Jesus was? (God s own Son) 4. What did the people ask John? (Who he was) 5. When some people asked if John was Jesus, what did John say? (No, my name is John.) Snack Time Animal Crackers Serve prepackaged animal crackers with milk. Discussion Suggestion: Ask the children what they would think if you told them they were eating real animals. If you told them that, you would not be telling the truth. Discuss with the children what they learned about John being honest and telling the truth. Remind the children that God wants them to always tell the truth no matter where they are this coming week. Puppy Pet Food 9 c crispy rice cereal squares ½ c peanut butter 1 c semi sweet chocolate chips 212 Honesty Lesson 1

213 1 ½ c powdered sugar Melt chocolate in microwave or saucepan. Add peanut butter and mix until smooth. Add cereal and stir until coated. Pour powdered sugar into a large re-sealable bag or container. Shake until coated. Serve with milk. Discussion Suggestion: Ask the children if they think this snack looks like pet food. Talk about how it s fun to pretend to be pets eating pet food. But this snack isn t really pet food. Remind the children what they learned about John the Baptist being honest and telling the truth. Remind the children that God wants them to always tell the truth no matter where they are in the week ahead. Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (Honesty Lesson 1) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. In our Bible lesson, who was careful to tell the truth? (John) 2. When some people asked if John was the prophet Elijah, what did John say? (No, my name is John.) 3. When Jesus came, what did John say? (Look, this is Jesus.) 4. What does God want me to do? (To tell the truth) 5. Name a place where you will try and always tell the truth this coming week. (Answers will vary) Prayer Time Ask God to help us to always tell the truth. Suggested sentence prayer Dear God, please help me to tell the truth this week when I am at. Honesty Lesson 1 213

214 Scripture Memory Time Verse: Proverbs 12:22 Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. If your version uses the word abomination, explain to the children that this word means hate. God hates lying, but telling the truth pleases Him. Say the verse aloud several times including the reference. Then, ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Pop Up Have the children sit in a circle with you. Tell them that you are going to pretend to be popcorn popping. They are special popcorn and only pop on certain words. The first time you say the verse everyone is going to pop on the word hear. The second time you say the verse, have everyone pop on the words hear and Word. Continue adding words as time allows. Game Time I Spy Choose one child to be It. It chooses an object in the room and whispers what it is in your ear. Then they should say out loud, I spy something with my little eye and the color is (fill in the appropriate color of the object). The other children then start guessing objects that are that color, until someone guesses the correct object. After each guess, It should answer either yes or no. The child who guesses correctly becomes the new It and tells the color of their object by repeating the rhyme. Continue playing as time allows. Learning Link: Ask the children if it was important for the person who was It in the game to be honest and tell the truth when they were asked what their object was. Remind the children that John knew it was important to tell the truth. Tell them this game should help them remember that God always wants them to tell the truth, too. 214 Honesty Lesson 1

215 Four Corners Game Label four corners in the room with pieces of construction paper or poster board. Tell the children what each label is: home, church, school, and playground. You may wish to put a small picture on the label as well to help the children identify it. Begin playing music and have the children walk around the room. At intervals, stop the music and say, God wants me to tell the truth at (insert one of the four places labeled). The children should then run to that corner. Continue playing, pausing the music, and naming the different places. For more fun, name two or more places at the same time. Continue playing as time allows. Learning Link: Review with the children that in our Bible lesson, John knew that it was important to always tell the truth. Remind them that God wants them to always tell the truth no matter where they are. Honesty Lesson 1 215

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217 Gopher Buddies Review Lesson Scripture Passage: This lesson covers the material from lesson 1 of this module. Lesson Objective and Application The children will understand that it is not always easy to tell the truth. They will learn that when they choose to tell the truth, it pleases God. At the conclusion of this lesson, the children will pray and ask God to help them make the right choice and always tell the truth. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible Andy Gopher puppet Father Gopher Puppet Scripture Memory Bible Game Time Basic Game No additional supplies needed Advanced Game Bone-shaped dog biscuit or plastic bone Bible Lesson Gopher Puppet Dialog Andy and Father Gopher enter. Father: Welcome, welcome everyone! Welcome to the game of To Tell the Truth or Not! Teacher looks confused. Teacher: A game of To Tell the Truth or Not? Father Gopher, I ve never heard of that game. What s it about? Father Gopher: It s a game where the contestants must decide if they want to tell the truth or NOT...as in NOT tell the truth. Honesty Lesson 2 217

218 Andy: Wow, that would be an easy game! Teacher: Why do you think it would be such an easy game, Andy? Andy: It would be easy because God s Word, the Bible, tells us that God wants people to always tell the truth. God wants us to be honest. So all the contestants have to do is choose to tell the truth. Father: That s right, Andy. God does want people to ALWAYS tell the truth. But you are wrong about it ALWAYS being easy to tell the truth. Teacher: Well, how do we get the game started? Father: I will tell you a story and you must decide if the person in the story should tell the truth or NOT. Andy jumps up and down. Andy: I want to go first! I want to go first! Father: OK, Andy, here is your story. Erin was playing catch with her brother Jacob in the living room. Now their mom had told them not to throw a ball in the house, but Erin and Jacob didn t obey their mom. All of a sudden, the ball hit the lamp and broke it! What should Erin and Jacob do now? Here are your choices. They could be honest and tell the truth they could go and tell their mom that they broke the lamp because they were playing ball in the house. Or they could choose to NOT tell the truth to their mom and tell her the cat knocked over the lamp. What is your choice? Tell the truth or NOT? Andy shakes his head. Andy: If Erin and Jacob are honest and tell the truth, they will get into trouble for not obeying their mom. If Erin and Jacob decide NOT to tell the truth, they might stay out of trouble. Oh no, you were right, Dad, it isn t always easy to tell the truth. Teacher: That s right, Andy. It isn t always easy to tell the truth, but it is ALWAYS right to do what God says to do. Andy: I want to always do what God tells me to do. I choose for Erin and Jacob to be honest and tell the truth because God wants everyone to always tell the truth. Father: Great answer, Andy! If Erin and Jacob tell the truth, they will be making a choice that pleases God. They will still have to pay the price for disobeying their mom, but it is important to be honest and always tell the truth. 218 Honesty Lesson 2

219 Teacher: Great job, Andy! Can we play next? Father: Sure, here is your story. Ben s Dad told him he had to clean up his room before he could go outside and play. Ben looked at all the toys that covered the floor of his room. It would take him a long time to clean up this mess! Then Ben saw his closet door standing wide open. Ben decided to throw all his toys into his closet instead of putting them away like his Dad had told him to do. Ben stuffed the toys into the closet and shut the door. As Ben ran outside to play, his Dad asked him if his room was cleaned up. Here are your choices. Ben could be honest and tell the truth. He could tell his Dad that he stuffed everything into his closet. Or Ben could choose NOT to tell the truth to his Dad and tell him that he cleaned up his room. What is your choice? Tell the truth or NOT? Teacher: Oh, that is a hard choice. If Ben tells the truth, his Dad will send him back up to his room to do the job right. But if Ben chooses to NOT tell the truth, he could go outside and play. I need some help to make the right choice. Who knows what Ben should do? Allow time for response. Teacher: OK, we have decided to be honest and tell the truth! It is not always easy to tell the truth, but it is ALWAYS right to do what God says to do. We want to make a choice that pleases God! Father: Great answer! If Ben tells the truth, he will be making a choice that pleases God. Ben will probably not be able to go outside and play, but it is important to be honest and always tell the truth. Andy and Father clap for the children. Teacher: You know what, boys and girls? We play the game of To Tell the Truth or Not every day. Every day we have to decide if we are going to make choices that please God. That reminds me about the story of John we learned. Andy: That s right; John chose to tell the truth every time someone asked him who he was. I am sure it wasn t always easy for John to tell the truth. But John knew it was important to be honest and always tell the truth. Father: I hope that the children will remember to ask God to help them tell the truth. Andy: Hey Dad, do you think we can play the game of To Tell the Truth or Not with Emily? Father: Sure, let s go ask her right now. Honesty Lesson 2 219

220 Andy: Good-bye (insert teacher s name)! Andy and Father leave. Teacher: Good-bye! Application So how did you do at To Tell the Truth or Not? Like Andy, maybe you found out that it is not always easy to tell the truth, but it is always right to do what God says to do. When you have the choice to make whether to tell the truth, are you careful to choose to be honest and tell the truth? Remember, when you make the right choice it pleases God. Let s talk to God right now and ask Him to help us to always tell the truth. Prayer Time Suggestion Tell God that we want to make choices that please Him. Ask God to help us always tell the truth. Review Questions Have Andy Gopher ask the children the review questions this week. For more fun have Andy give the children high-fives for correct answers. 1. What did Andy learn about telling the truth? (That it s not always easy to tell the truth.) 2. What does God want us to always do? (Tell the truth) 3. What choice do we make each day? (To tell the truth or not) 4. How does God feel when we choose to tell the truth? (It pleases Him.) 5. When did John choose to tell the truth? (Every time someone asked him who he was.) Snack Time Fish Snack Serve fish-shaped crackers with milk or juice. 220 Honesty Lesson 2

221 Discussion Suggestion: Ask the children if these are real fish they are eating for snack. What if you told them they were real fish? Would you be choosing to tell the truth, or not tell the truth? Remind the children they have choices to make each day whether to tell the truth. Tell them, once again, that God is pleased when they choose to tell the truth. Pizza Surprise Bake a round cake or roll out sugar cookie dough onto a round pizza pan and bake. Use red food coloring to frost the cake or cookie. Add shavings of white chocolate to look like mozzarella cheese. Top with pretend pepperoni cut from a red dried fruit roll. Bring out the snack and show it to the children. Serve with milk. Discussion Suggestion: Talk with the children about the snack they are enjoying. Is it what they thought it was? Were they surprised? Tell the children you would have been choosing to not tell the truth if you had told them the snack was real pizza. Remind the children that when they choose to tell the truth and be honest it pleases God. Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (Honesty Lesson 2) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. In our Bible lesson, who chose to tell the truth? (John) 2. How can you please God? (By choosing to tell the truth) 3. Can you think of a time or a place when it is easy to tell the truth? (Answers will vary) 4. Can you think of a time or place when it is hard to tell the truth? (Answers will vary) Prayer Time Thank God that we can ask Him to help us tell the truth. Suggested sentence prayer Dear God, help me to choose to please You and always tell the truth. Honesty Lesson 2 221

222 Scripture Memory Time Verse: Proverbs 12:22 Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. If your version uses the word abomination, explain to the children that this word means hate. God hates lying, but telling the truth pleases Him. Say the verse aloud several times including the reference. Then, ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Copy Cat Ask the children if they have ever copied someone or echoed them. Explain to the children that if you copy or echo what someone says you repeat back to them exactly what they said. Try a trial run. Say, If I say ice cream, you say (allow children to say ice cream back to you). Now split the verse into manageable sections. You will say the section first, point to the children, and have them repeat the section back to you. Continue as time allows or until you feel the children have a good understanding of the verse. Then as a group, without copying, say the verse a final time. Game Time Gopher Buddies Jump Ups Have the children sit on the floor in a circle. Tell the children that you are going to ask them questions about themselves and it is important for them to tell the truth. Begin by saying, Who has a dog? If you have a dog, jump up! All the children who have a dog should jump up and then sit back down. Continue in the same way asking questions that the children can jump up because it is true about them. To vary the game, tell the children to do various actions like jump up and down two times when they stand up or jump up and turn around. For a fun variation, have Andy Gopher ask the questions. Learning Link: Remind the children that Andy learned that it is not always easy to tell the truth, but it is always the right thing to do. Tell the children that whenever they choose to tell the truth, like during the jump ups game, it pleases God. 222 Honesty Lesson 2

223 Doggy, Doggy Where s Your Bone? Have the children sit in a circle. Choose one child to be the doggy. Have them sit in the middle of the circle with the bone by them and have them close their eyes. Point to another child and have them sneak the bone and return to their place without making any noise. They should place the bone behind them. Then have all the children put their hands behind their backs and say, Doggy, doggy where s your bone? Somebody stole it from your home. The doggy then opens their eyes and gets three guesses to find out who has the bone. The child who has the bone is the next doggy. Continue playing until each child has had a turn to be the doggy. Learning Link: Explain to the children that this game is fun only if everyone chooses to tell the truth. Ask the children if it was easy or hard for them to tell the truth when the doggy asked them if they had the bone. Remind the children that it pleases God when they choose to tell the truth. Honesty Lesson 2 223

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225 The Sisters Who Shared With Jesus Scripture Passage: Luke 10:38-42 Lesson Objective and Application The children will learn that Jesus is happy when they share their things and their time. At the conclusion of this lesson, the children will name one thing they can share with others. They will also name someone with whom they can share their time. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible A bag with 7 10 toys inside Note: These should just be small, simple toys such as matchbox cars, ball, small book, small stuffed animal, etc. Scripture Memory Bible One toy (used in the Bible lesson) Game Time BASIC GAME Potato (or other small object) Portable CD player and music ADVANCED GAME Chairs for one less than the number of children in the class Portable CD player and music Bible Lesson Introduction Boys and girls, today I brought a bag with some things in it. Can anyone guess what is in this bag? Allow time for response. Those are all good guesses. I brought some toys from home and put them in this bag. I am going to have you come up one at a time, pick a toy out of the bag, and show it to our class. Call the children up one at a time to choose a toy and show it to the class. Have them leave the toy with you before returning to their seat. These are some of the toys I Sharing Lesson 1 225

226 have at my house. Later I will share these toys with you. How about you? Does anyone have a special toy at home they would like to tell us about? Allow time for response. Do you share your toys with others? Our Bible lesson today is about two sisters who shared with Someone. I m going to open my Bible to Luke, chapter 10, so we can find out who these sisters were and what they shared. Let s ask God to help us be good listeners and learn more about sharing. Thank God for each boy and girl that came to Gopher Buddies. Ask God to help each one learn more from the Bible. Lesson The Bible tells us in Luke, chapter 10 that a lady named Martha invited Jesus to her home. Martha wanted everything to be nice for Jesus, so she got right to work getting the food and drinks ready. Now in Bible times this was a big job. They didn t have ovens to cook their food. They had to start a fire and cook their food over the fire. They did not have refrigerators to keep their drinks cold. So they had to walk to get their water from a very deep hole in the ground called a well. Martha was very busy and working very hard to make things nice for Jesus. You see, boys and girls, just like I am going to share my toys with you, Martha shared her things with Jesus. Do you think Martha shared her toys? Allow time for response. What do you think Martha shared? Allow time for response. Martha shared her home, food, and other things with Jesus. The Bible also tells us that Martha had a sister named Mary. Even though Mary and Martha were sisters, they were very different. Martha was very busy getting their home and food and other things ready to share with Jesus. Mary also wanted to share something with Jesus. While Martha was busy getting everything ready, Mary sat with Jesus and listened to Him tell her about God. Instead of hurrying around like Martha, she sat and shared her time with Jesus by listening to Him. Jesus was glad Martha shared her home and food and special things. Jesus was also glad Mary shared her time by listening to everything He said. How about you? Are you like Martha? Do you share your special things with others? Are you like Mary? Do you share your time with other people? Allow time for discussion here. Help children think of some things they can share with others like Martha did. Help them think of people with whom they might share their time like an elderly neighbor or sick person or a younger brother or sister. Application Martha invited Jesus into her home. She shared her home, food, and special things with Jesus. Martha s sister, Mary, also shared with Jesus. She shared her time with Him. Mary sat beside Jesus and listened to all He had to say. Jesus is happy when we think of others and share our time and things with them. Let s stop and pray now and ask God to help us share our things and time with others. 226 Sharing Lesson 1

227 Prayer Time Suggestion Thank Jesus for the example of Martha and Mary sharing. Ask Jesus to help us think of others and to share our things and time with them. Review Questions Place the toys used in the Bible lesson introduction around the room. Have children line up against one wall. Tell them that when they think they know the answer to the question, they should go pick up a toy. After they have answered the question, have them give/share the toy with someone else. Repeat for each review question. 1. Who invited Jesus into her home? (Martha) 2. What did Martha share with Jesus? (Her home, food, and things) 3. What was the name of Martha s sister? (Mary) 4. What did Mary share with Jesus? (Her time by sitting with Jesus and listening to Him) 5. When is Jesus happy? (When we think of others and share our time and things with them) Snack Time Hugs and Kisses Give each child a Hershey s Hug and Kiss candy. Tell them they must give their candy to another child and wait for someone to give them candy. When everyone has shared their candy, have the children eat their snack. Serve with milk. Discussion Suggestion: While the children are eating their snack, review how Mary and Martha shared with Jesus when He came to visit them. What kinds of things did Mary and Martha share? Encourage the children to name some ways they can share with others. Sharing Lesson 1 227

228 Frosted Crackers Give each child an unbroken section of graham cracker or club cracker and a plastic knife or spreading tool. Place small cups of frosting or cheese spread between each group of two children. Allow the children to spread their crackers with the topping provided. Place another section of cracker on top and help the children to cut or break the crackers apart. They should then give a portion of their cracker to the child on their right. Discussion Suggestion: While the children are eating their snack, review how Mary and Martha shared with Jesus when He came to visit them. What kinds of things did Mary and Martha share? Encourage the children to name some ways they can share with others. Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (Sharing Lesson 1) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. What were the names of the sisters in the lesson? (Mary, Martha) 2. Who came to visit Mary and Martha? (Jesus) 3. Which sister sat close to Jesus and listened to Him? (Mary) 4. Name something you can share with others. (Answers will vary) 5. Name someone you can share your time with. (Answers will vary) Prayer Time Ask Jesus to help us share with others. Suggested sentence prayer Dear Jesus, please help me to share share my time with.. Please help me to Scripture Memory Time Verse: Acts 20:35c Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. God says that it is better for us to give to others than to get things for ourselves. Say the verse aloud several times including the reference. Then, ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. 228 Sharing Lesson 1

229 Activity Share the Toy Have the children sit in a circle. Hand one child one of the toys that was used for the Bible lesson. Have each child say one word of the verse then pass the toy to the child on their right. Repeat as time allows. For a variation of the game, have the children say the verse quickly or very slowly as they pass the toy around the circle. Game Time Hot Potato Seat the children in a circle. Use a portable CD player to play music while the children pass around a potato or other object of your choosing. Stop the music after a brief interval. When the music stops, the child who is holding the potato or object should give or share the potato with another child. Start the music up again and repeat as before. Continue until the children have all had a chance to share or as time allows. Learning Link: Tell the children that they are practicing sharing with this game, just as Mary and Martha shared their things and their time with Jesus in the lesson. Remind the children that Jesus is glad when they think of others and share their things and time. Musical Shares Arrange chairs in a circle in the center of the room. You will need one fewer chairs than you have children in attendance. Use a portable CD player to play music as the children walk around the chairs. Stop the music after they have circled the chairs a few times. When the music stops, the children should all sit down on a chair. One child will not have a chair. That child must find someone who will share their chair with them. Continue playing, taking one chair out each round. More children will need to share their chairs each time. Play until all the children have had a turn sharing a chair or as time allows. Learning Link: Tell the children that this game helped them practice sharing. Ask the children what Mary and Martha shared with Jesus in the Bible lesson. Remind the children that Jesus is glad when they are willing to share their things and time with others. Sharing Lesson 1 229

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231 Gopher Buddies Review Lesson Scripture Passage: This lesson covers the material from lesson 1 of this module. Lesson Objective and Application The children will understand that Jesus wants them to share. The children will learn that not only can they share their things and time with others, but they can also share their time with Jesus. At the conclusion of this review lesson, the children will be able to name some ways they can share their things and time with others. The children will also be able to tell how they can share time with Jesus. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible Andy Gopher puppet Emily Gopher puppet Paper tablet or loose Box of crayons Scripture Memory Bible Memory Cube Game Time BASIC GAME See Game Time section ADVANCED GAME See Game Time section Bible Lesson Gopher Puppet Dialog Review last week s lesson on sharing by asking the children if they remember what the lesson was about. Allow several children to respond. Talk about opportunities the children had to share with others in the past week. Andy Gopher appears, humming happily. Teacher: Look boys and girls; it s Andy. Let s see if we can get his attention. It looks like he is having a good time and doesn t even seem to know we are here. On the count of three, let s say Hi, Andy! Say all together One two three Hi, Andy! Sharing Lesson 2 231

232 Andy is a little startled and surprised. Andy: Oh, oh, hello. Sorry, I didn t even see you there. Teacher: Hi, Andy! I was just reviewing with the boys and girls what we learned last week. Do you remember? Andy: Of course, last week we learned all about sharing. Teacher: Wow, excellent, Andy! That is exactly right. You seem to be really happy today. What s going on? Andy: I got these great new crayons from my Grandma and Grandpa Gopher. They are really neat! Look at all the different colors. Teacher: They do look pretty neat. What s your favorite color? Andy: My favorite color is blue, but I also like the green, red, and yellow one. Hey, do you kids have a favorite color? Teacher: That s a good question. Let s find out. What s your favorite color, (insert child s name here)? Ask each child what their favorite color is. If it is a large group, name different colors and have the children raise their hand if that is their favorite color. Andy: Wow, we all like lots of different colors! Teacher: That s right. I bet we all like to draw different things, too. What is your favorite thing to draw, Andy? Andy lowers his head and looks sad. Andy: Well, actually, I have a problem. I can t draw anything. You see, Grandma and Grandpa gave me these great crayons, but I can t find anything to color. Teacher: That s too bad, Andy. Have you looked around? Andy: Yes. I tried coloring the floor, but Mom said I shouldn t do that. Teacher: Well, yes, I can understand why your Mom wouldn t want you to do that. Andy: Right, so then I wanted to color on the TV to add some extra color, but Dad was watching the news and said that I shouldn t use my crayons on the TV. 232 Sharing Lesson 2

233 Teacher: Boys and girls, it sounds like Andy is having a hard time finding something to color. What do you use when you color? Allow children to answer. Andy, have you looked for any paper or coloring books? Andy: Well, I looked in my room, but I couldn t find any. Emily walks in humming with a piece of paper. Teacher: Oh, hi Emily. What do you have there? Emily: I just got some paper from my Grandma and Grandpa Gopher. Teacher: That s a lot of paper. What have you done with it so far? Emily: Well, nothing yet. I can t find any crayons. Teacher: Hmmm It seems like we have two gophers with two different problems. Andy has crayons but nothing to color on, and Emily has something to color on but no crayons. I think there is an easy answer to this problem. It has to do with our lesson last week and rhymes with care. The children may begin shouting out share. That is fine, but continue with the dialog. Can you think of the answer, Andy? Children should all respond share. Teacher: Right. Now doesn t that seem like an easy answer? Andy: Yes, that does seem like an easy answer. Teacher: And wouldn t it be great if you could both use your new things? Emily: Oh yes, I really want to use my new paper. Teacher: So, Andy, why don t you share your crayons with Emily? And Emily, why don t you share your paper with Andy? Andy and Emily: NO WAY! Andy: There is no way I m going to share my new crayons with Emily. I just got them. I want to play with them all by myself. Emily: Yeah, and I just got my paper. I don t want to share with Andy. He ll use it all up. Teacher: Well, Emily, having new paper isn t much fun if you don t have any crayons to draw with. And Andy, your crayons won t be any fun if you don t Sharing Lesson 2 233

234 have any paper. Don t you think your grandparents would want you to have fun with your new things? Andy and Emily respond reluctantly. Andy and Emily: Yes, I guess they would. Teacher: That s right. Sharing is what your grandparents would want you to do, but more importantly, sharing is what Jesus wants you to do. Andy: I understand. Come on, Emily, I ll share my crayons with you. Emily: And I ll share my paper with you. Andy: Hey, I m sure together we can color some great pictures to share with Mom and Dad. Andy and Emily exit. Application Andy and Emily learned that Jesus wants us to share. In our last lesson we learned about Mary and Martha. Martha shared her food and home with Jesus. Mary shared her time by listening to what Jesus had to say. Our lesson today helped us to think about how we can share with those around us. Remember, there are lots of ways to share. We can share our things, like Andy and Emily shared their crayons and paper. We can also share our time with people when we visit someone who is lonely or sick. Did you know you can also share your time with Jesus? We share our time with Jesus when we spend time reading our Bibles, going to church, praying, and doing our Quiet Time. Just think, boys and girls, we are sharing our time with each other and with Jesus right now here at Gopher Buddies! Prayer Time Suggestion Thank Jesus for the children who shared their time by coming to Gopher Buddies. Ask Jesus to help the children be willing to share their things and time with others this week. 234 Sharing Lesson 2

235 Review Questions Randomly select a crayon from the box used in the Gopher Puppet Dialogue. Tell the children that whoever is wearing that color of shirt may try to answer the question first. (Example: Choose the blue crayon, so whoever has on a blue shirt answers first.) Choose a new color for each question. 1. What did Emily and Andy learn to do in our lesson tonight? (Share) 2. What did Andy and Emily share? (Their crayons and paper) 3. What did Mary share? (Her time) 4. What did Martha share? (Her home and her things) 5. What are you sharing right now at Gopher Buddies? (Your time with each other and with Jesus) Snack Time Cracker Snackers Serve graham crackers or club crackers. Before serving the snack, pass out napkins, giving one napkin to every other child. Tell the children they need to fold out their napkin and share it with the person next to them who doesn t have a napkin. Then serve the crackers with juice or milk. Discussion Suggestion: Review the Gopher Buddies lesson as the children share their crackers and enjoy the snack. What did Andy and Emily learn tonight? Have the children ever had a similar experience where they shared with someone else? Encourage the children to always be willing to share with others and follow the examples God has given us in His Word. Sharing Sandwiches Before class make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Wrap sandwiches individually in plastic wrap. Also have paper plates, napkins, and cups. Select some of the children to pass out the sandwiches, others to set out paper plates, napkins, and cups. Serve sandwiches with milk or juice. After the children are finished eating, Sharing Lesson 2 235

236 have them put their plates and napkins into the trash and help to clean up the table. Note: If you have children in your group with peanut allergies you may wish to substitute cream cheese for peanut butter in this snack. Discussion Suggestion: As the children enjoy the snack time, talk about how they all shared in getting ready for snack this week. Thank them for each of the jobs they did. Remind the children that Jesus wants us to share our time and our things with others. Challenge the children to remember the lessons about sharing they have learned from God s Word. Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (Sharing Lesson 2) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. What does Jesus want you to do? (Share) 2. What are some things you can share with other people? (Answers will vary) 3. How can you share your time with people? (Possible answers: visit someone who is sick or lonely, listen to people) 4. How can you share time with Jesus? (By reading the Bible, praying, and doing my Quiet Time) Prayer Time Thank Jesus that we can share with each other at Gopher Buddies. Suggested sentence prayer Dear Jesus, help me to share my things and time with others. Help me to share my time with You as I do my Quiet Time. Scripture Memory Time Verse: Acts 20:35c Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. God says that it is better for us to give to others than to get things for ourselves. Say the verse aloud several times including the reference. Then, ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. 236 Sharing Lesson 2

237 Activity Memory Cube Have the children stand in a circle. A leader should toss the cube into the center of the circle. When the cube lands, have all the children recite the verse, including the reference (in the version you are using) in the same position as the picture shows. (Bible person who tossed the cube acts out reading the verse from a Bible while reciting the verse; Question mark person who tossed the cube chooses how the group says the verse; Hand on head entire group pats their head as they say the verse; Hand on knees entire group pats their knees while they say the verse; Leg in air entire group says the verse while standing on one leg; Clapping hands entire group claps their hands in rhythm as they say the verse.) Choose a child to toss the cube next. Keep tossing the cube and reciting the verse until each child has had a turn or as time allows. For a variation of the game, have the child who tosses the cube say the verse alone. Game Time Christian Service Activity This week s lesson offers an excellent opportunity to do a Christian Service Activity. Choose an activity from the appendix in the Bible Study or perhaps your church has a special project that the children can help with this week. Learning Link: Mary and Martha shared their time and their things with Jesus. Jesus wants us to share with others. Explain to the children that they did this by working on the project together. Thank them for their efforts. Encourage them to be willing to share with others in the coming week. Sharing Lesson 2 237

238 238 Sharing Lesson 2

239 Moses Mother Cares For Him Scripture Passage: Exodus 2:1-10 Lesson Objective and Application The children will understand that God gave them parents to love and care for them. At the conclusion of this lesson, the children will thank God for their parents who love and care for them. Supply List Bible Lesson q Bible q An infant car seat q A basket (optional) q Lesson Visuals #1-4 q Mother Gopher Puppet or Father Gopher Puppet (optional for use with review questions) Scripture Memory q Bible q Home Connection Page Note: You will need to write or copy the reference of the verse you are currently working on in the Your Child Should Say section of the Home Connection for this week. Game Time BASIC GAME q 2 jump ropes ADVANCED GAME q A small doll wrapped in a blanket Leader Note: This lesson utilizes a split format to enable two leaders to teach separate lessons at the same time. One leader teaches the children and the other explains the attributes of the program to the parents. While it is recommended that two or more leaders facilitate this lesson, the lesson can be adapted to be taught by one leader. Parent Night 239

240 Children s Leader Bible Lesson Introduction Does everyone have a place to sit? I hope everyone is comfortable where they are sitting. I wonder if anyone can tell me who would be comfy and cozy sitting in this seat. Show an infant car seat. Allow time for responses. You are right. This seat was made for a baby. When you were a baby, your parents put you in a seat like this one. Why do you think parents use special baby seats? Allow time for responses. Parents love their children and want to care for them. That s why moms and dads put their children into car seats, so they will be safe while they are in the car. The Bible, God s Word, tells us about a mom and a dad who put their baby in a very strange kind of seat. They put their baby in a basket! Show a basket. We can read about this family in Exodus, chapter 2. Show your open Bible. Listen closely as I tell the Bible story to find out why these parents put their baby in a basket. First let s pray and ask God to help us be good listeners. Parent Leader Greeting Time Parents Observe Greeting Time Greet the parents and invite them to be seated Provide an overview of the evening s events Explain Greeting Time (Important for your child to be on time, bring Quiet Time, and go over memory verses at home) Introduce leaders between Greeting Time and Song Time Bible Lesson Time Parents Participate 240 Parent Night

241 Children s Leader Thank God for families. Ask God to help everyone be good listeners. Parent Leader Parents Continue to participate Lesson Parents are very excited when their new baby is born. They send out special cards called birth announcements to their friends telling them all about the new baby. Sometimes they send pictures, too. They put balloons and signs outside their house. People have parties and bring presents for the new baby. Listen as I read Exodus 2:1-2. Tell me what special things this family did when their baby was born. Read Exodus 2:1-2, stressing the word hid. Did this family send letters to their friends with pictures of the new baby? No. Did they put balloons and signs outside their house? No. Did they throw a big party with presents for the new baby? No. What did the Bible say they did? Allow time for response. The Bible tells us that they hid their new baby! Whisper. Shh, Shh, baby boy, what a joy! But we must keep you a secret. Now why would this family want to hide their baby? Well, boys and girls, this baby s family lived in the land of Egypt a long time ago. At that time, the King of Egypt was not a very nice man. Show Lesson Visual #1. He made people work very hard. The king was scared that someday a man would take over his job as the ruler of Egypt. So the king came up with an awful plan. He made a law that all baby boys should be thrown into the Nile River. Wait! Is the river a safe place for a baby? Allow time for Parent Night 241

242 Children s Leader responses. No way! There are many dangers for a baby in a river! Parent Leader Parents Continue to participate Whisper. Shh, shh, baby boy, what a joy! But we must keep you a secret. Now, this baby s mom and dad loved him and cared for him. They wanted to keep him safe from the king s law. So they hid him in their house where the king s soldiers would not find him. But as the baby grew older, his crying grew louder and louder. It was getting harder and harder to keep the baby quiet. His parents were afraid the soldiers would hear him. Now what could they do? Well, the baby s mother had an idea. Listen as I read Exodus 2:3-4 to see what she did. Read Exodus 2:3-4. The Bible says she gathered some tall reeds that grew by the river. She wove them into a basket. She covered the basket with tar, so no water could get in. Show Lesson Visual #2. She put the baby in the basket. And then she took him down to the river. She trusted God to watch over her baby. Whisper. Shh, shh, baby boy, what a joy! but we must keep you a secret. Then the baby s mother went home. She had done all she could do to keep her baby safe. She knew that God had a special plan for this baby boy. But the baby s sister stayed beside the river, watching to see what would happen to the basket. Show Lesson Visual #3. As she watched, she saw the princess of Egypt, the king s daughter, come down to the river to take a bath. 242 Parent Night

243 Children s Leader Parents Continue to participate What would happen to the baby now? Whisper. Shh, shh, baby boy, what a joy! But we must keep you a secret. Suddenly the princess saw the basket floating in the river. She sent her helper to get the basket and bring it to her. When she lifted the lid, she saw the baby boy. Read Exodus 2:6. The princess loved the baby and wanted him to come live with her. She named the baby Moses. Moses sister saw everything that was happening. She asked the princess if she needed help taking care of the tiny baby. When the princess said, Yes, Moses sister went to get their mother to help take care of him. Show Lesson Visual #4. Shout. Baby boy, what a joy! Your mother loves and cares for you. Application Moses parents loved him and cared for him. They did everything they could do to keep him safe from things that would hurt him. Because they took care of him, Moses was saved from the King s terrible law. His mother was able to take care of him until he was old enough to go live in the palace with the princess. Boys and girls, God gave you parents who love and care for you, too. Now they probably never had to build a basket and hide you in a river, but they show that they love and care for you in other ways. Can you name some ways your parents love and care for you each day? Allow time for response. Parent Leader Parent Night 243

244 Children s Leader Wow, your parents do many things to care for you! Do you think they deserve a big hug and a thank you? If your parent is here today, go and give them a big hug. Tell them thank you for loving you and taking good care of you. Parent Leader Parents Continue to participate Prayer Time Suggestion Thank God for giving the children parents and other grown-ups to love them and take care of them. Review Questions Review Questions Have Mother or Father Gopher ask the review questions this week. 1. Where did Moses and his family live? (Egypt) 2. What was the King of Egypt s awful plan? (A law that all the baby boys be thrown into the river) 3. What did Moses mother make to put him in? (A basket) 4. Who found the baby in the basket? (The princess) 5. Why did God give you parents? (To love you and care for you) 244 Parent Night

245 Children s Leader Snack Time Snack Time Parent Leader J Basket Crackers Serve wheat crackers (with a basket design). Serve with blue juice. Discussion Suggestion: Talk with the children about how much Moses mother loved him and cared for him. Show the children how their crackers look a little bit like a woven basket. This can help them to remember the basket where baby Moses was hidden. Ask the children what the blue drink reminds them of. It can help them remember the Nile River where Moses floated in the basket. Encourage the children to tell their parents (or others who take good care of them) how thankful they are for them. Bible Study Overview, Scope and Sequence A variety of teaching methods are used in the Bible lessons. Color visuals (8), lessons using real-life objects (9), Interactive (9), and puppet skits (10) are the teaching methods offered throughout the year. Parents Participate Snack in a Basket Crescent rolls, enough for approximately double your normal group size Hot dogs, same amount as crescent rolls Cheese slices, same amount as crescent rolls and hot dogs Roll out crescent roll dough, lay cheese slice on top, put hot dog on top of cheese slice and roll crescent roll dough up. Place on baking sheet and bake according to directions for Parent Night 245

246 Children s Leader crescent rolls. Serve in baskets. Serve with a blue drink. Parent Leader Parents Continue to participate Helpful Hint: These may be cut into several pieces to accommodate a larger group. Discussion Suggestion: Talk with the children about how much Moses mother loved and cared for him. Tell the children their snack can remind them of Moses in the basket. Ask the children what they are reminded of when they see the blue drink. It can help them remember the Nile River where Moses floated in the basket. Encourage the children to tell their parents (or others who take good care of them) how thankful they are for them. Explain the requirements of the program, achievement levels, and membership requirements. There are three achievement levels (not including membership). The following are the requirements for the Gopher Buddies program: Membership 3 meetings, 1 verse, Motto (Digging Deeper in God s Word) Level 1 3 verses, 1 book, 1 Christian Service, Faithful Quiet Time Level 2 3 verses, 1 book, 1 Christian Service, Faithful Quiet Time Level 3 3 verses, 1 book, 1 Christian Service, Faithful Quiet Time 246 Parent Night

247 Children s Leader Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (Parent Night) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. How did Moses parents show they loved and cared for him? (They hid him in their house and then made a basket to hide him in the river.) 2. Who loves you and cares for you? (Possible answers: parents, grandparents, aunts, or uncles) 3. Name one way your parents care for you. (Answers will vary) Prayer Time Ask God to help the children love and obey their parents (or other grown-ups who care for them). Suggested sentence prayer Dear God, thank you for, who takes care of me. Parent Leader Discipleship Time Parents Observe Discipleship Time (First 5 minutes or so) Explain Discipleship Time. Explain how to have a daily quiet time and prayer requests. Explain Christian Service. Individual Christian Service activities (twelve each) are listed in the Quiet Time Diary and the Leader s Bible Study. They are to be done primarily at home with parents or family members. Parents initial and date each activity that they complete with their child. Group Christian Service activities are listed in a section of the Leader s Bible Study book and are done primarily during club time. Explain the Home Connection pages. Parent Night 247

248 Children s Leader Scripture Memory Time During Scripture Memory time this week, use the suggested activity with the verse the children have been working on this month. If you are between modules, you might wish to start the next verse the children will learn. Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version the children will be learning. Say the verse, including the reference, aloud several times. Then ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Crazy Stand Ups Have the children sit on the floor facing you. Ask the children to stand up and say the verse and reference. Each time, vary the stipulations for standing (For example: all those with blue eyes, everyone who is wearing green, everyone who has a sister, everyone who has no siblings). Repeat until all the children have had a turn or as time allows. Scripture Memory Time Parents Observe the Scripture Memory Game (First 5 minutes or so) Explain Scripture Memory Time. (Verse Card, where the verses come from, time frames) Explain how your church is implementing the award system. Show the parents the awards the children can be earning. You may want to give them the Web site. Tote bags (with bag tag) A colorful tote bag will be used to display membership (stickers) and level awards (patches).the tote displays a colorful Gopher Buddies logo on one side and is designed to be used for up to three years. The tote has room for nine patches. Explain the membership sticker. Patches Three iron-on patches can be earned by each child for achieving their levels, one patch for each level. Gopher Buddies T-Shirts T-shirts may be purchased for both children and adults displaying the Gopher Buddies logo. Parent Leader 248 Parent Night

249 Children s Leader Parent Leader Hand Stamps Four fun hand stamps encourage children and reward good behavior. Each stamp displays an individual gopher character face. Gopher Stuffed Animals Two gopher stuffed animals are available as year-end awards or cuddly companions. One character is Andy Gopher and the other is Emily. Game Time Game Time J Jump Over the River Stretch two ropes parallel to each other, approximately six to ten inches apart. This is the river. Have the children line up on one side of the river. Then have them take turns jumping to the other side. Once everyone has jumped across, move the ropes a bit farther apart. Have the children jump over the river again. Continue as time allows, moving the ropes a bit farther apart each time. Parents Participate Learning Link: Ask the children if they can remember the name of the river in the lesson. Tell them this activity will help them to remember how Moses mother put him into the little basket in the river. Moses mother loved and cared for him. Remind the children to thank those who care for them. Parent Night 249

250 Children s Leader J Find Baby Moses Choose one child to be the princess and have them leave the room with a leader. Choose another child to hide Baby Moses and give them the doll. After the doll is hidden, have the princess come back and look for Baby Moses. Have the other children give the princess clues as to where the baby is. When the princess is close to the baby have them cry loudly. When the princess is far from the baby have them cry quietly. After the baby is found, choose a new hider and a new princess. Parent Leader Parents Participate in Game Time (first 5 minutes or so) Answer questions Give an overview brochure to every adult. Learning Link: Talk with the children about how this activity will help them to remember how Moses mother loved and cared for him. Remind the children to thank those who love and care for them. 250 Parent Night

251 A Good Friend Scripture Passage: Luke 10:25-37 Lesson Objective and Application The children will understand that God wants them to help others, just as the Good Samaritan helped the man who was hurt. At the conclusion of this lesson, the children will name one way they can help a friend. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible Scripture Memory Bible Game Time BASIC GAME Portable CD player and music ADVANCED GAME Two beanbags Two buckets Two blindfolds Several boxes or other items to be obstacles Tape for marking floor Home Connection Page Note: You will need to write or copy the reference of the verse you are currently working on in the Your Child Should Say section of the Home Connection for this week. Bible Lesson Introduction My next-door neighbor is (insert name of the leader s neighbor). They have been my neighbor for (insert correct number) years. Now most of the time when we think about our neighbors, we think of the people who live close by to us. But, did you know, boys and girls, that a neighbor is not only someone who Friend Night 251

252 lives close by to your house, but someone who is close by you wherever you are? Tonight at Gopher Buddies the person that is on your right side is your neighbor and the person on your left side is your neighbor. Let s have everyone say, Hi neighbor and wave to your neighbor on your right side. Can you do the same for the neighbor on your left side? Allow time for the children to wave and say hello. I think we all understand who our neighbor is now. The Bible tells us that a man came to Jesus one day and wasn t sure who his neighbor was. He asked Jesus, Who is my neighbor? How do you think Jesus answered that question? I am going to open my Bible to Luke chapter 10 so we can hear Jesus answer. First, let s pray and ask God to help all of us and our friends listen carefully to our Bible lesson. Thank God for the friends who came to Gopher Buddies this week. Ask Him to help the children pay careful attention to the lesson. Lesson The Bible tells us in Luke 10:29 that when the man asked Jesus, Who is my neighbor? Jesus told him this story. A man was traveling along a road when robbers attacked him and hurt him very badly. After the robbers hurt the man, they left him lying by the side of the road. Now the man was not the only one traveling on this road. A priest was also walking down the road. A priest is kind of like a pastor. Surely, the priest would help this man. Do you think he helped the man? Listen as I read Luke 10:31 to see what the priest did. Read Luke 10:31. So, boys and girls, did he help? Allow time for response. No! He saw the man hurt and lying there but he walked right down the other side of the road! In a little while, another man called a Levite walked by. A Levite was a man who helped the priests care for the temple. So, boys and girls, do you think that he helped the man? Allow time for response. No, the Bible tells us that when he saw the man, he also walked on the other side of the road. After that a Samaritan man came down the road. This man was from a place called Samaria. Boys and girls, do you think the Samaritan helped the poor, beaten up man? Allow time for response. Yes! Yes he did! When the Samaritan saw the hurt man, he went to him and helped him. He put bandages on all the man s cuts and bruises and put him on his animal. He took the man to an inn, which is like a hotel, so he could rest and get better. Now when Jesus finished His story, He asked the man a question. Read Luke 10:36. And do you know what the man s answer was? Allow time for response. He told Jesus that the man who felt sorry for him and helped him was the man s neighbor. The Samaritan was the man s neighbor. Jesus told the man that he should go and help others as the Samaritan did. Application The story Jesus told in our Bible lesson tonight is often called the story of the Good Samaritan. The Good Samaritan felt sorry for the hurt man. He took time to help him and was kind to him. God wants you to help others, just as the Good Samaritan did. There are many ways you can help a neighbor or friend. Maybe you can help by sweeping a sidewalk or picking up sticks in your neighbor s yard. Sometimes you can help your friends by being kind 252 Friend Night

253 and giving them a big smile when they are sad. Perhaps you can help your friends pick up their toys or share a snack with them. There are many ways boys and girls can help their friends and neighbors! Are you ready to be a good friend and help those around you? Prayer Time Suggestion Thank God for the friends and neighbors that He has given us. Ask God to help each one be kind and helpful to their friends and neighbors. Review Questions Have children sit in a circle on the floor. Review with them that God wants them to help others, just like the Good Samaritan helped the hurt man. Tell them when they know the answer to the question they should raise their hand. Then their friend who is sitting by them should help them stand up. Repeat for each question. 1. What question did a man ask Jesus? (Who is my neighbor?) 2. After the robbers hurt the man, what did they do with him? (They left him lying by the side of the road.) 3. What did the priest do when he saw the hurt man? (He walked by on the other side of the road.) 4. What did the Levite do when he saw the hurt man? (He walked by on the other side of the road.) 5. What did the Samaritan do when he saw the hurt man? (He helped him and bandaged his cuts and bruises.) Snack Time Friendly Snacks Choose a prepackaged snack that comes in twos. Be sure to allow the children to sit with the friend they brought. One helper should pass out the snacks and another helper should help the children who brought a guest serve their snack to them first before taking their own. Pair up the children who did not bring a friend and have them serve each other as well. Friend Night 253

254 Discussion Suggestion: Remind the children that God wants them to help others as the Good Samaritan did. Tell the children that they were kind and helpful when they shared the snack with their friend. Have the children name other ways they can help their friends and neighbors this coming week. Friendly Crunches You will need fish-shaped crackers, small chocolate candy pieces, circle-shaped cereal, raisins, and whatever else you may want to mix together. At snack time, let each child pour a small amount of the above ingredients into a large bowl. Mix together well and serve in small bowls or cups. Discussion Suggestion: Remind the children that God wants them to help others just as the Good Samaritan did. One way they can help a friend is to share their things, just as they shared their snack tonight. Have the children name some other ways they can help their friends and neighbors this week. Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (Friend Night) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. What did the Good Samaritan take time to do? (Help the man and be kind to him) 2. What does God want you to do? (Help others just as the Good Samaritan did) 3. Name one way you can help a friend this week. (Answers will vary) Prayer Time Thank God for the friends who came to visit this week. Ask God to help the boys and girls help others as the Good Samaritan did. Suggested sentence prayer Dear Jesus, help me to be a good friend by. 254 Friend Night

255 Scripture Memory Time Verse: During Scripture Memory time this week, use the suggested activity with the verse the children have been working on this month. If you are between modules, you might wish to start the next verse the children will learn. Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version the children will be learning. Say the verse, including the reference, aloud several times. Then ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Memory Cube Have the children stand in a circle. A leader should toss the cube into the center of the circle. When the cube lands, have all the children recite the verse, including the reference (in the version you are using) in the same position as the picture shows. (Bible person who tossed the cube acts out reading the verse from a Bible while reciting the verse; Question mark person who tossed the cube chooses how the group says the verse; Hand on head entire group pats their head as they say the verse; Hand on knees entire group pats their knees while they say the verse; Leg in air entire group says the verse while standing on one leg; Clapping hands entire group claps their hands in rhythm as they say the verse.) Choose a child to toss the cube next. Keep tossing the cube and reciting the verse until each child has had a turn or as time allows. For a variation of the game, have the child who tosses the cube say the verse alone. Friend Night 255

256 Game Time Friendly Musical Chairs Arrange chairs in a circle in the center of the room. You will need one fewer chair than you have children. Use a CD player to play music as the children walk around the chairs. Stop the music after they have circled around a few times. When the music stops, the children should all sit down in a chair. One child will not have a chair. That child must find someone who will share their chair with them. Continue playing, taking one chair out each round. More children will need to share their chairs each time. Play until only one chair remains or as time allows. Learning Link: Remind children that God wants them to help others just as the Good Samaritan did in the Bible lesson tonight. Ask the children how they helped their friends during the game. Review with the children that sharing is one way they can be kind and help their friends and neighbors. Beanbag Buddies Mark a starting and return line on the floor with tape. Place a bucket at each return line. Divide children into two teams. Blindfold the first two children on each team and give them a beanbag. The next two children in line will be the blindfolded children s helpers. Have the helpers guide their blindfolded buddies to the bucket and direct them in dropping the beanbag into the bucket. Once this is done, remove the blindfold and have both children return to the start and sit down. The next two children proceed and continue until everyone is sitting down. Repeat the game, switching helpers and blindfolded children the second time through. Learning Link: Remind the children that in our lesson the Good Samaritan helped the injured man. Ask the children how they helped their friends in the game. Remind children that God wants them to help others. Have them name a way they can help someone in the week ahead. 256 Friend Night

257 The Shepherds Worship Jesus Scripture Passage: Luke 2:1-20 Lesson Objective and Application The children will understand that God loves us so much that He gave us a very special gift His Son, Jesus. The children will understand that the reason we celebrate Christmas is to celebrate the birth of God s Son, Jesus. At the conclusion of this lesson, the children will thank God for giving them the gift of Jesus. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible Lesson Visuals #1-4 Christmas gift bag Review questions written on different pieces of paper Scripture Memory Bible 1 small, unbreakable Christmas ornament Game Time BASIC GAME Tape for marking floor 20 paper plates ADVANCED GAME Nativity Set and tray Home Connection Page Note: You will need to write or copy the reference of the verse you are currently working on in the Your Child Should Say section of the Home Connection for this week. Bible Lesson Introduction Teacher sings. Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday to you. Boys and girls, do you like birthday parties? Allow time for response. I like birthday parties, and today we are going to celebrate Someone s birthday. Guess who is having a birthday? Allow time for response. Those are all good guesses. I am going to open my Bible to the book of Luke, chapter 2, so we can find out whose birthday we are celebrating. First, let s ask God to help us understand what we read from His Christmas 257

258 Word, the Bible, today. Thank God for each boy and girl who came to Gopher Buddies this week. Ask Him to help the children be good listeners. Lesson A very long time ago, a young woman named Mary lived in the small town of Nazareth. She was getting ready to marry a young carpenter named Joseph. God knew that Mary and Joseph loved Him. One day God sent an angel to give Mary an important message. The angel told Mary that she was going to have a baby. The baby would be a boy and His name would be Jesus. The angel told Mary that Jesus was a very special baby. He was God s own Son. Joseph and Mary were happy that they had been chosen by God to raise Jesus. They knew that Jesus was a special gift from God. When it was time for Jesus to be born, Mary and Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem. Show Lesson Visual #1. The Roman government ruled the land, and they wanted to count all the people who lived there. It was a long trip. Mary and Joseph were very tired when they finally arrived in Bethlehem. The city was crowded with people who had come to be counted. Mary and Joseph couldn t find any place to stay. They looked everywhere, but none of the inns had any room for them. (An inn is the name for a hotel in Bible times.) Finally, they found a place where the man in charge let them stay in the stable next to his inn. Show Lesson Visual #2. It was there in the stable, where the animals slept, that Jesus was born. Show Lesson Visual #3. Mary wrapped Jesus in soft clothes to keep Him warm. Joseph made Him a little bed in the place where food for the cows and donkeys was kept. It was called a manger. Joseph put warm, dry straw in it, and Mary laid baby Jesus there to sleep. That same night, on a hillside just outside the town of Bethlehem, some shepherds were watching over their sheep. Listen as I read Luke 2:9 to find out what the shepherds saw as they were looking after their sheep. Read Luke 2:9. So, boys and girls, what did the shepherds see? Allow time for response. The Bible says that suddenly, they saw an angel before them. Show Lesson Visual #4. The brightness of God s glory shone around the shepherds. God had sent the angel to give the shepherds an important message. Don t be afraid, the angel said. I have good news for you. This very day in Bethlehem, a Savior is born for you. He is Christ the Lord. He is a newborn baby wrapped in soft clothes and lying in a manger. You can find Him in Bethlehem. Suddenly, the sky was filled with angels who sang praises to God. Read Luke 2:14. Then the angels were gone. The shepherds hurried to Bethlehem. They found Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus, just as the angel had said. Show Lesson Visual #3 again. The shepherds knew this was a very special baby. They knew that He was the Son of God. The shepherds left the stable praising God for giving them this special gift, Jesus. 258 Christmas

259 Application Boys and girls, now do you know whose birthday we are celebrating? Allow time for response. What name should we put in our birthday song? Allow time for response. That s right, Jesus! Will you help me sing Happy Birthday to Jesus? Sing together. Happy birthday to You, happy birthday to You, happy birthday, dear Jesus, happy birthday to You. The Bible tells us that God loves us so much that He gave us a very special gift, Jesus. The reason we celebrate Christmas is to remember God s wonderful gift to us. We celebrate Jesus birth each year at Christmas. Let s thank God for giving us Jesus. Prayer Time Suggestion Thank God for loving us so much that He gave us a very special gift His Son, Jesus. Review Questions Before class, write each review question on a piece of paper. Place the questions in the bag. After the Bible lesson, have children stand in a circle and pass the bag around the circle as they sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. Whoever is holding the bag when the song is finished may take a question out of the bag. Read the question to the child holding the bag and allow them the first chance to give the answer. Repeat with each question or as time allows. 1. Whom did God choose to be the mother of Jesus? (Mary) 2. What did the angel tell Mary? (She was going to have a baby.) 3. Why did Mary and Joseph have to stay in a stable? (There was no room for them in the inn.) 4. Who was born that night in the stable? (Jesus) 5. What did the shepherds see as they were looking after their sheep? (An angel) Christmas 259

260 Snack Time Nativity Cookies Serve sugar cookies in the shapes of the nativity figures such as sheep, angels, or stars (with the use of cookie cutters). Serve with milk. Discussion Suggestion: As the children enjoy their cookies, remind them that we celebrate the birth of Jesus each year at Christmas. Encourage the children to thank God for giving them a very special gift His Son, Jesus. Birthday Cake Serve a birthday cake for Jesus. Don t forget the candles! Let children sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. Serve with milk. Discussion Suggestion: As the children enjoy their snack this evening, remind them that we celebrate the birth of Jesus each year at Christmas. Encourage the children to thank God for giving them a very special gift-his Son, Jesus. Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (Christmas) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. What message did the angel give to the shepherds? (Jesus is born.) 2. Who came to see baby Jesus? (Shepherds) 3. What did the shepherds do after they saw Jesus? (Praised God) 4. Who gave us the special gift of baby Jesus? (God) 5. Why do we celebrate Christmas? (To remember God s wonderful gift to us) Prayer Time Ask God to help us remember the reason we celebrate Christmas the birth of His Son, Jesus. Suggested sentence prayer Dear God, thank you for the special gift of Your Son, Jesus. 260 Christmas

261 Scripture Memory Time Verse: During Scripture Memory time this week, use the suggested activity with the verse the children have been working on this month. If you are between modules, you might wish to start the next verse the children will learn. Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version the children will be learning. Say the verse including the reference aloud several times. Then ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Pass the Ornament Have the children sit in a circle. Hand one child a small, unbreakable Christmas ornament. Have the children say the verse including the reference. As the children say each word of the verse, have them pass the ornament to the child on their right. Repeat as time allows. For a variation of the game, have the children say the verse quickly or very slowly as they pass the ornament. Game Time Happy, Happy Birthday Play this Christmastime version of Duck, Duck Goose. Have the children sit in a circle. Select one child to go around the outside of the circle and tap the other children s heads. Each time a head is tapped, have them say, Happy till they choose a child to run after them by saying, Birthday! The selected runner chases the other student until they sit down in the empty space. Learning Link: Remind the children that we celebrate Christmas because it is Jesus birthday. Encourage them to thank God for His very special gift. Christmas 261

262 Who Is Missing Here? Gather the pieces of a Nativity set, leaving out the wise men. Place the pieces on a tray and have the children close their eyes. Remove one of the pieces and have the children see if they can figure out which piece is missing. After the missing piece is discovered, talk about its significance in today s lesson. For example, if Mary is removed, talk to children about how she was chosen by God to be Jesus mother. Learning Link: After playing the game, remind the children that the reason we celebrate Christmas is to remember the birth of God s Son, Jesus. Encourage them to remember to thank God for His very special gift, Jesus. 262 Christmas

263 Jesus is Alive! Scripture Passage: Luke 23:33, 46, 50-55; Matthew 28:1-10 Lesson Objective and Application The children will understand that Jesus died for their sins and is alive today. At the conclusion of this lesson, the children will name someone they can tell that Jesus is alive. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible Lesson Visuals #1-4 Scripture Memory Bible One copy of puzzle pattern (found in the Scripture Memory Review Games Appendix) Game Time Selected Reading Book: Why is there a Cross? by Kathleen Long Bostrom Home Connection Page Note: You will need to write or copy the reference of the verse that you are currently working on in the Your Child Should Say section of the Home Connection for this week. Bible Lesson Introduction I would like to do a rhyme for you that tells about the story of Easter. One-two-three (Clap as you say each number.) Jesus died for me. (Point to yourself using both thumbs.) Four and five (Clap as you say each number.) Jesus is alive! (Raise both hands and sway from side to side.) Now you try the rhyme with me. Repeat the rhyme together. This rhyme reminds all of us why we are happy on Easter morning. Why are we happy on Easter? (Allow time for response.) We are happy because after Jesus died for us, He came back to life. We are happy because we know that Jesus lives today in Heaven! I am going to open my Bible to the Book of Matthew, Easter 263

264 chapter 28 so we can find out more about what happened that very first Easter morning. Let s pray first and ask God to help us be good listeners. Thank God for each boy and girl who came to Gopher Buddies this week. Ask God to help each one be a good listener. Lesson Do you remember what day we celebrate Jesus birthday? Allow time for response. You re right! We celebrate Jesus birthday on Christmas day. Show Lesson Visual #1. Remember boys and girls, Jesus was born in Bethlehem. The shepherds came to worship Him. When Jesus grew to be a man, He traveled all around making sick people well. He taught the people about God. Jesus told the people about how much God loved them. Everywhere Jesus went, people gathered to hear Him teach. Even the little children came to see Jesus. Show Lesson Visual #2. The Bible tells us that the week before Easter, Jesus went to the city of Jerusalem with His special helpers, the disciples. Jesus rode into the city on a donkey, and the people lined up along the streets to see Him. The people laid palm branches on the ground to make a soft carpet for the donkey s feet. They waved palm branches in the air and shouted praises to God as Jesus rode by. The people were very happy to see Jesus! Boys and girls, show me how you look when you are happy. Allow time for children to respond. But not everybody was happy to see Jesus. Some people were angry because the people paid so much attention to Jesus. Now boys and girls, show me how you look when you are angry. Allow time for children to respond. These people did not want to hear what Jesus was teaching. They did not believe that Jesus was God s Son. The Bible tells us that they started to make a plan to get rid of Jesus. A few days later, Jesus and His special helpers, the disciples, ate supper together. Jesus told His friends that He would soon die. He told them not to be afraid because it was part of God s special plan for the world. After supper, Jesus and some of His disciples went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Soon a large crowd of people came to the garden carrying torches and weapons. Show Lesson Visual #3. These men came to arrest Jesus and take Him away. The soldiers took Jesus to see the rulers and judges. People came and told awful lies about Jesus. Jesus had not done anything wrong, but the people wanted the rulers to kill Him. The rulers let the soldiers take Jesus and put Him on a cross. Jesus died there on the cross. Jesus Jesus died on the cross because He loves us. Later in the day, two of Jesus friends came and took His body and gently laid it in a tomb. A tomb is a big hole in the side of a rock or a hill where they put the bodies of people who had died. A huge, heavy stone was rolled in front of 264 Easter

265 the opening, and soldiers were sent to guard the tomb. Show me how you think Jesus friends felt now. Allow time for children to respond. I m sure they were all very sad. Early Sunday morning, the third day after Jesus died, a group of women went to look at the tomb. The Bible says that when they came to the tomb, they found that the stone had been rolled away. Show Lesson Visual #4. Then they went inside the tomb, and saw that Jesus body was gone. The women were sad and afraid. They did not know what had happened to Jesus body. They thought someone had taken His body away. Suddenly, an angel came to tell the women that Jesus was no longer dead. He had come back to life. Read Matthew 28:5-7. Jesus was alive! He had risen from the dead! The women ran to tell the disciples the good news. The disciples ran to see the empty tomb. Everyone was excited that Jesus was alive again! Let s celebrate that Jesus is alive by doing our Easter rhyme together. One-two-three (Clap as you say each number.) Jesus died for me. (Point to yourself using both thumbs.) Four and Five (Clap as you say each number.) Jesus is alive. (Raise both hands and sway from side to side.) On Easter morning, we can all celebrate and be glad because we know Jesus rose from the dead and lives today. Application Jesus died on the cross to pay the price or take the punishment for all the wrong things we do. The Bible calls those wrong things sin. Romans 3:23 tells us that we have all done wrong things. Our sin separates us from God. John 3:16 tells us that God loves us so much that He sent Jesus to die on the cross to take the punishment for our sin. He did not stay dead though; He came back to life again on the third day. In Romans 10:9 we are told, If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Have you told God that you are sorry for the wrong things that you have done? Have you asked Him to forgive you for your sin? If you would like a teacher to help you understand more about what Jesus did for you, please tell me when we are done with our lesson time. Have a teacher ready for counseling. For detailed invitation instructions and an explanation concerning the process of Leading Early Learners to Christ, please see the appendix in this Bible Study. Prayer Time Suggestion Thank God for sending Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. Thank God that Jesus did not stay dead but came back to life on the third day. Easter 265

266 Review Questions Tell the children that Easter is a time to celebrate and be happy because Jesus rose from the dead and is alive today. Tell the children to smile their biggest smile when they know the answers to the questions. 1. When do we celebrate Jesus birthday? (Christmas day) 2. What did the people do when Jesus rode into the city of Jerusalem? (They laid palm branches on the street. They waved palm branches in the air. They shouted praises to God.) 3. Was everyone glad to see Jesus? (No) 4. After supper where did Jesus and some of His disciples go? (The Garden of Gethsemane) Snack Time Gelatin Eggs Make gelatin eggs in an egg mold if you have one (generally available in supermarkets during Easter season) or by using an egg-shaped cookie cutter to cut them from a tray of gelatin. Discussion Suggestion: Talk with the children about some of the things we often see at Easter time such as bunnies, chicks, or eggs. Talk about how these things remind us of new life. When they see them, they can remember that Jesus is alive! Remind the children that we celebrate and are glad on Easter because Jesus rose from the dead and is alive today! 266 Easter

267 Resurrection Snack Give each child one half of a chocolate donut, standing it on its cut ends. Tell the children this reminds us of the tomb. Then give each child a donut hole and have them place it in front of the cut donut. Tell the children this reminds us of the stone in front of the tomb. Before eating their snack, ask the children to show you what happened to the stone on the first Easter morning. Discussion Suggestion: Remind the children that when the women went to the tomb the first Easter morning they found the stone rolled away. Ask the children if they remember what the angel told the women. Remind the children that we celebrate and are glad on Easter because Jesus rose from the dead and lives today. Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (Easter) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. Why did Jesus die on the cross? (To pay the price for our sins) 2. Where was Jesus body placed? (In a tomb) 3. Who told the women that Jesus was alive? (An angel) 4. What did the women do after they left the tomb? (Hurried back to tell Jesus friends) 5. Name someone you can tell that Jesus arose from the dead and is alive today. (Answers will vary) Prayer Time Thank God that we can know that Jesus is alive! Suggested sentence prayer Dear Jesus, thank you that you died on the cross for me. Thank you that I know you are alive! Scripture Memory Time Verse: During Scripture Memory time this week, use the suggested activity with the verse the children have been working on this month. If you are between modules, you might wish to start the next verse the children will learn. Easter 267

268 Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version the children will be learning. Say the verse, including the reference, aloud several times. Then ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Hidden Scripture Write the verse the children are learning on the puzzle pattern found in the appendix. Cut the puzzle along the lines. Have the children close their eyes while you hide the puzzle pieces. Choose a few children to look for the puzzle pieces. Have the children put the pieces together to complete the verse. A leader should help them if necessary. Once the verse is complete, have all the children repeat the verse. Have the children who just searched hide the pieces, while the other children cover their eyes. Repeat as time allows. Extra Option: Have a copy of the puzzle for each child to take home and practice the verse throughout the week. Game Time Selected Reading Book This week's lesson offers an excellent opportunity to read the selected reading book, Why is There a Cross? by Kathleen Long Bostrom Learning Link: After reading the book, take time to discuss the book with the children. Tell the children this book reminds us that Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for our sin. But Jesus did not stay dead. He came back to life again on the third day. Encourage the children to think of someone they can tell that Jesus is alive. 268 Easter

269 Abraham Moves to a New Home Scripture Passage: Genesis 12:1-9 Lesson Objective and Application The children will learn that when God told Abraham to leave his home and move to a new land, Abraham obeyed God. The children will begin to understand that they can learn what God wants them to do by reading God s Word, the Bible. At the conclusion of this lesson, the children will name one way they can obey and follow God s directions for them in the coming week. Supply List Bible Lesson q Bible q Empty suitcase q Blank piece of paper for every child q Crayon for every child Scripture Memory q Bible Game Time BASIC GAME q Suitcase q Alphabet letters (Refrigerator/ q magnetic letters would work well) ADVANCED GAME q Two suitcases q Two clothes/ outfit sets that children can easily put on and take off OPTIONAL CRAFT q Bright colored cardstock q Stapler q Crayons, markers q Other craft materials Let's Take a Road Trip Lesson 1 269

270 Optional Lesson Idea: Instead of having the children draw the items that Abraham might pack in the suitcase, bring in the suggested items from the lesson and place in a basket or box. At that point in the lesson, have the children take turns selecting items to put in the suitcase. Bible Lesson Introduction Show a suitcase. Boys and girls, who can tell me what this is? Allow children to respond. You re right, it is a suitcase. Can someone tell me what a suitcase is used for? Allow children to respond. Yes, we use a suitcase to carry our things when we go on a trip. Today, we are going to find out about a man in the Bible who went on a long trip. I am going to open my Bible, God s Word, to Genesis chapter 12, so we can find out who this man was and why he was going on a trip. Open Bible. Let s ask God to help us understand what we read. Pray for the children to be careful listeners and that they will learn from reading God s Word. Lesson The Bible tells us that there was a man named Abraham who lived in the city of Haran. Abraham lived there with his wife, Sarah and his nephew Lot. One day God had a special message for Abraham. Listen as I read Genesis 12:1 to find out what God wanted Abraham to do. Read Genesis 12:1. God told Abraham to leave his home. God told Abraham that He wanted him to move to a new land, a new home that God had planned for him. What do you think Abraham did? Do you think that he obeyed and did what God told him to do? Let s find out; listen as I read Genesis 12:4a to see what Abraham decided to do. Read Genesis 12:4a. So, boys and girls, what did Abraham do? Allow time for responses. That s right. The Bible tells us that Abraham obeyed and did what God told him to do. He followed God s directions. Now Abraham had to get ready for the big trip. The Bible says he took all the things he had gotten in Haran. Read Genesis 12:5a. Let s pretend that we are helping Abraham pack his suitcase. I am going to need your help to draw Abraham s things. Give each child a piece of paper and a crayon. I want you to draw something that you think needs to go into Abraham s suitcase. You might draw Abraham s clothes; his shirt, his pants, or his shoes. You might draw a tent for Abraham to sleep in at night. You might draw food and dishes for Abraham to use for his meals. You might draw tools for Abraham to use at his new house; a hammer or a saw. Allow time for the children to draw. Give ideas to children who need help getting started. When drawings are finished, collect the crayons but allow each child to hold onto their paper. All right boys and girls, it s time to pack the suitcase! When I call your name, bring your picture to put in Abraham s suitcase. Call on the children one at time. Ask each child what they are putting in Abraham s suitcase. 270 Let's Take a Road Trip Lesson 1

271 Wow, it must have been a big job for Abraham to pack all of his things. But Abraham did what God asked him to do. The Bible says that when Abraham had packed all of his things, he took his wife, Sarah and nephew Lot and they set out for the new land that God had promised to give him. Application Abraham obeyed and followed God s directions when God told him to leave his home and move to a new land. Now God may not ask you to go on a long trip and move like Abraham, but God does give you directions to follow too. You can learn what God wants you to do by reading God s Word, the Bible. Show open Bible. Let s talk about some of the things God tells you in the Bible that He wants you to do. God tells you in Ephesians 4:32 to be kind to each other. Will you be like Abraham and obey God? Will you be kind to your friends this coming week? God tells you in Colossians 3:20 to obey your parents. Will you be like Abraham and obey God? Will you listen and obey your mom and dad? God tells you in Proverbs 12:22 to always tell the truth. Will you be like Abraham and obey God? Will you try and always tell the truth this coming week? What is one of God s directions that you will try and follow this week? Allow the children to respond. Prayer Time Suggestion Pray that the children will choose to follow God s directions. Review Questions Have the children line up along one side of the room. Place the suitcase opposite the children on the other side of the room. Tell the children that when they think they know the answer to the question to let you know by marching to the suitcase. The one who gets to the suitcase first may answer the question. Make sure that each child has a chance to answer a question, whether or not they are first to the suitcase. 1. What was the name of the man in the story? (Abraham) 2. What did God ask Abraham to do? (To leave his home and move to a new land) 3. What did Abraham do when God told him to move to a new land? (He obeyed and did what God told him to do.) 4. Whom did Abraham take with him when he moved to the new land? (His wife Sarah and his nephew Lot) 5. What did Abraham take with him? (All his things) Let's Take a Road Trip Lesson 1 271

272 Snack Time J Abraham s Traveling Trail Mix Use snack size Ziploc bags and put trail mix (nuts, raisins, mini M&M s or chocolate chips, banana chips etc.) in each one for every child. If time allows, hide the trail mix bags around the room or outside and have children travel around to find their snack bag. Discussion Suggestion: Remind the children that Abraham obeyed and followed God s directions when God told him to leave his home and travel to a new land. Abraham probably had to bring along some food for his family to eat as they traveled to their new home. Go over with the children some things that God tells them in the Bible that He wants them to do. Encourage them to think of a way they can obey God s directions for them. Abraham s Traveling Tent Snack Give each child two graham crackers. Show them how to stand the graham crackers up in a tent shape. Then spread some canned frosting on the ends of each cracker and have them stand up their tent shaped crackers on a paper plate. Serve with milk. Discussion Suggestion: Remind the children that Abraham obeyed and followed God s directions when God told him to leave his home and travel to a new land. Abraham and his family probably lived in tents which they took along with them to their new home. Tell the children that you hope their tent cracker snack will remind them to obey God and follow His directions for them in the week ahead. Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (Let's Take a Road Trip Lesson 1) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. How can you learn what God wants you to do? (By reading God s Word, the Bible) 2. Name something that God tells you in the Bible that He wants you to do. (Answers will vary 272 Let's Take a Road Trip Lesson 1

273 3. Name one way you can obey and follow God s directions in the coming week. (Answers will vary) Prayer Time Thank God for His Word, the Bible, that helps us learn what God wants us to do. Suggested sentence prayer Dear God, Your Word tells me that you want me to. Help me to obey you by this coming week. Scripture Memory Time Verse: Genesis 28:15a Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. Abraham obeyed and followed God s directions when God told him to leave his home and move to a new land. Abraham obeyed because he believed that God would be with him and watch over him wherever he went. Say the verse aloud several times including the reference. Then ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Follow the Leader Have children line up behind you. Tell them they will practice the memory verse by playing Follow the Leader and you are the leader. Begin by marching around the room. At short intervals, stop and turn around to the children and say, Say the verse!. Then lead the children in repeating the memory verse. Continue playing and doing different motions for the children to follow. Game Time J ABC Suitcase Have the children sit in a circle. Place the suitcase with the alphabet letters inside in the middle of the circle. Have children take turns going up and choosing a letter from the suitcase. Have them tell what they should pack for a pretend trip that begins with that letter. Allow the children to have fun and be silly as they think of words that begin with that letter. For example, A-alligator, B-bubbles. Let's Take a Road Trip Lesson 1 273

274 Learning Link: Tell the children that you hope this game will remind them of the Bible lesson. The Bible says that Abraham took all the things he had when he obeyed God and moved to a new land. Remind the children that God has told them what He wants them to do in the Bible. Encourage the children to think of one way they can obey God in the week ahead. Suitcase Shuffle Divide the children into two teams and have them stand on one side of the room. Place a suitcase for each team with an outfit that each child can easily put on and take off on the other side. When you say Go a child from each team runs to the suitcase and puts on the outfit. They then run back to their team and take off the outfit. The next child puts on the outfit, runs to the suitcase, takes off the outfit, puts in back in the suitcase, and then runs back to their team. Keep playing until each team member has had a chance to put on the outfit. The winners each have a turn and put the outfit back into the suitcase first. Learning Link: Tell the children that you hope this game will remind them of the Bible lesson. Even though Abraham probably did not use a suitcase, the Bible says that he took all the things he had when he obeyed God and moved to a new land. Remind the children that God has told them what He wants them to do in the Bible. Encourage the children to think of one way they can obey God in the week ahead. Optional Craft Idea: Make a Suitcase Make a suitcase by folding a piece of cardstock in half, stapling the side edges, and adding a handle to the top. Suggestions for handles can be chenille wire/stems, ribbon, or cardstock. Encourage the children to draw and cut out pictures of things they would take to put in the suitcases. Provide stickers and other craft materials so each child can decorate their own suitcase. If time allows, help the children write on their suitcase one way they will try and obey God in the week ahead. Learning Link: Tell the children that you hope the suitcase they made will remind them of the Bible lesson. Even though Abraham probably did not use a suitcase, the Bible says that he took all the things he had when he obeyed God and moved to a new land. Remind the children that God has told them what He wants them to do in the Bible. Encourage the children to think of one way they can obey God in the week ahead. 274 Let's Take a Road Trip Lesson 1

275 Sweet Dreams, Jacob Scripture Passage: Acts 16:16-34 Lesson Objective and Application The children will learn that Jacob had a special dream where God promised to watch over Jacob wherever he went. The children will begin to understand that like Jacob, God will watch over them wherever they go. At the conclusion of this lesson, the children will name somewhere that God watches over them. They will pray and thank God for watching over them. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible Andy Gopher Puppet Emily Gopher Puppet Scripture Memory Bible Game Time BASIC GAME One pillowcase for each team Chair for each team ADVANCED GAME A pillow for each child Portable CD player and music Bible Lesson Gopher Puppet Dialog Teacher: Shh, do you hear something? Andy makes a loud snoring sound from behind the stage. Teacher: What is that noise? Allow children to respond with guesses. Let's Take a Road Trip Lesson 2 275

276 Teacher: Boys and girls, do you think I should look and see what is making that noise? Allow children to respond. Teacher: Alright, here I go. I feel a little scared, but I will be brave and take a look. Teacher sneaks over to the stage to look. Andy snores loudly. Teacher: Oh my, that s not really a scary noise. It s just Andy Gopher snoring! But wait, it isn t bed time. I wonder why Andy is sleeping now. Do you think we should wake him up? Allow children to respond. Teacher: Okay, you help me wake up Andy. When I count to three, everyone say Wake up Andy! One, two, three. Wake up Andy! Andy comes up looking confused. Andy: Hey, what is going on? Teacher: It s okay Andy. You were sleeping and the children woke you up. Andy: But I am still so tired! If you don t mind, I think I will just go back to sleep. Teacher: Wait Andy. It s not time to go to bed yet. Why are you so tired? Andy: I m so tired today because I did not sleep well last night. I had a bad dream. Andy rubs his tired eyes. Teacher: A bad dream? Do you want to tell us about your dream? Andy: I dreamed that I was all alone in a big store. I walked all around the store and I couldn t find my mom. I couldn t find my dad. I couldn t find Emily. I was all alone! Andy sadly shakes his head. Teacher: Wow, Andy, that does sound like a scary dream. I know sometimes dreams can be scary. But I know a story of a man in the Bible who had a special dream. His name was Jacob. Jacob s dream was no ordinary dream. His dream was a message from God. 276 Let's Take a Road Trip Lesson 2

277 Andy: God gave Jacob a special message in a dream? Teacher: That is right Andy. We can read about this special dream in the Bible, God s Word. Teacher opens the Bible to Genesis 28. Andy turns to ask the children. Andy: I want to know more about this special dream. Do you want to know more about Jacob s special dream? Teacher: Well first of all, Jacob was not at home when he had his dream. Jacob was all alone traveling to a new home. And I imagine Jacob was feeling just a little bit lonely and scared! Andy: That sounds like my bad dream! I was all alone and scared too! Teacher: That is right Andy. But Jacob was not really all alone. You see, that was God s message to him in the dream. Let me tell you a little more. Andy: Great, I m listening! Teacher: The Bible tells us that Jacob left his home and was traveling to his uncle s house. When he reached a certain spot he stopped for the night. He must have been very tired because he took a stone and put it under his head and fell asleep. Andy: He used a rock for his pillow? Really? Teacher: That s what the Bible says! Teacher: Now listen to what the Bible says about Jacob s dream. Read Genesis 28:12-13a. Andy: Wow, that is some dream! That must have been really cool to dream about angels going up and down a ladder, from the earth into heaven. And God was standing at the top of the ladder? Teacher: That s right, Andy, It was a really special dream! And the really great part of the dream was what God said to Jacob. Andy: What did He say? What did He say? Teacher: Listen as I read Genesis 28:15 to find out what God told Jacob in his dream. Let's Take a Road Trip Lesson 2 277

278 Read Genesis 28:15a. Andy: God promised Jacob that He would always be with him! Teacher: Yes, that was the message that God gave to Jacob in his dream. God told Jacob that He would always be with him. God promised Jacob that He would watch over him wherever he went. Jacob was never all alone, God was always with him. Andy: Wow, that was a special message! Teacher: And you know what Andy? Just like Jacob, God promises to watch over us too. We are never all alone; God is always with us wherever we go. Emily Gopher enters looking all around. Emily: Andy, there you are! I have been looking for you everywhere! I was all alone back here! Andy goes over and puts his arm around Emily. Andy: Don t be scared Emily. You are never all alone. God is always with us. Let me tell you about a man named Jacob. God gave Jacob a special dream. Emily and Andy exit while Andy keeps talking about Jacob s dream. Application Jacob had a special dream. In the dream, God promised Jacob that He would always be with him. God promised Jacob that He would watch over him wherever he went. Boys and girls, just like Jacob, God is always with you, too. God watches over you wherever you are. You are never alone. God is with you when you go to bed at night. God is with you when you and your family are in the car going someplace. God is with you when you are at daycare. God is with you when there is a bad storm outside and you are feeling scared. Let s stop and thank God for always watching over us. Prayer Time Suggestion Thank God for always being with us. Thank God for watching over us. 278 Let's Take a Road Trip Lesson 2

279 Review Questions Have Andy Gopher ask the children the review questions today. Make it more fun by having Andy give the children high-fives for correct answers. 1. Why was Andy so tired? (He had a bad dream) 2. Why was Andy s dream bad? (He was all alone) 3. What man in the Bible had a special dream? (Jacob) 4. Where was Jacob at when he had his dream? (Traveling to a new home) 5. What did Jacob see in his dream? (A stairway going up to heaven with angels on it) Snack Time Pebble Pillow Donut Holes Serve donut holes and milk for snacks. Discussion Suggestion: Ask the children if they remember what Jacob used for a pillow. (A stone) Point out to the children that their donut hole snack looks a little bit like a stone. Remind them that when Jacob used the stone for a pillow he had a special dream. In the dream, God promised Jacob that He would watch over him wherever he went. Angel Food Dream Dessert Serve each child a slice of angel food cake. Have chocolate syrup, strawberries and whipped cream toppings available for children to put on their dream dessert. Discussion Suggestion: Remind the children that in his dream, Jacob saw angels going up and down a ladder, from earth to heaven. Tell them you hope that the angel food cake dessert will remind them of Jacob s special dream. Review with them that God promised Jacob that He would watch over him wherever he went. Let's Take a Road Trip Lesson 2 279

280 Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (Let's Take a Road Trip Lesson 2) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. What message did God give to Jacob in Jacob s dream? (God promised Jacob that He would always be with him and watch over him wherever he went.) 2. Are you ever all alone? (No, God is always with you) 3. Name a place that you can go that God watches over you. (Answers will vary any place) 4. Name a time of the day that God watches over you. (Answers vary any time) Prayer Time Thank God that He watches over us wherever we go. Suggested sentence prayer Thank you God, for watching over me wherever I go. Thank you for watching over me when I am at. Scripture Memory Time Verse: Genesis 28:15a Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version the children will be learning. God had a special message for Jacob in his dream. God promised that He would always be with Jacob and watch over him wherever he went. Say the verse aloud several times including the reference. Then, ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Wake up Jacob! Have the children put their heads down, close their eyes, and pretend to be asleep. No peeking! Then move around the room. Tap two or three children on the head and say, Wake up Jacob. Those children should then stand up and repeat the verse together. Repeat the activity until everyone has had a turn to practice the verse. The last time, tap all the children on the head and have them say the verse together. 280 Let's Take a Road Trip Lesson 2

281 Game Time Sweet Dreams Pillowcase Race Divide the children into equal teams and have them line up on one side of the room. On the opposite side of the room, place a chair opposite each team. Have the first player on each team step into the pillowcase. At your signal, the first player hops in the pillowcase down and around the chair and then back to their team. The next player then gets into the pillowcase and hops to the chair and back. The winning team is the first team that all the players hop to the chair and back. Learning Link: Remind the children that Jacob did not have a nice pillow and pillowcase (like they used in the game) when he went to sleep and had his special dream. Do they remember what he used for a pillow? (A stone) Review with them that God promised Jacob that He would watch over him wherever he went. Encourage them to think of a place where God watches over them. Pillow Musical Chairs Instead of chairs, place pillows in an oval shape, with one less pillow as you have children. When you begin to play the music, have the children walk around the pillows. When the music stops, the children must sit down on a pillow. Whoever doesn t have one is out for that round. Take a pillow away for each round until only two children are left with one pillow. Helpful Hint: Provide a small piece of candy or a sticker for the children when they have to leave the game. Learning Link: Remind the children that Jacob did not have a nice pillow like they used in the game when he went to sleep and had his special dream. Do they remember what he used for a pillow? (A stone) Review with them that God promised Jacob that He would watch over him wherever he went. Encourage them to think of a place where God watches over them. Let's Take a Road Trip Lesson 2 281

282 282 Let's Take a Road Trip Lesson 2

283 Hannah Prays Scripture Passage: 1 Samuel 1:1 2:11 Lesson Objective and Application The children will learn that Hannah prayed to God when she was very sad, and God heard her prayer and gave her a baby boy. The children will also learn that they can talk to God when they are sad and He will hear their prayer, too. At the conclusion of this lesson, the children will thank God for hearing them when they pray and talk to Him. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible Lesson Visuals #1-4 Scripture Memory Bible Lesson Visual #2 Lesson Visual #4 Game Time BASIC GAME A small baby doll ADVANCED GAME Items to set up for an obstacle course Bible Lesson Introduction Boys and girls, I have a picture to show you. Show Visual #1. The words on this picture say, What makes you feel sad? Point to the words on the picture. How do you think the children in this picture are feeling? Allow time for responses. I think you are right. They all look like they are feeling sad. Let s see if we can figure out why these children are feeling sad. Point to the child playing alone. Why do you think this boy is feeling sad? Allow time for responses. He probably feels sad because he is playing all by himself. Do you feel sad when you have no friends to play with you? Point to the child holding a pet. I think this girl feels sad because her pet is sick. Have you ever felt sad when you had a sick pet? Point to the child next to the moving van. Why do you think this child is sad? Allow time for responses. I think you re right, the child is sad because of moving to a new home. Have any of you had to move to a new house? Did it make you feel sad? Allow time for responses. Let s look at this last Let's Talk to God Lesson 1 283

284 child. Point to the child looking at the toy shelf. I wonder if this boy is sad because of not being able to buy that toy. Do you feel sad when you can t buy a toy at the store? Can you think of some other times when you might feel sad? Allow children to respond. The Bible tells us about a woman who was feeling very sad. I am going to open my Bible, God s Word, to 1 Samuel chapter 1 so we can find out who this woman was and why she was feeling sad. Let s ask God to help us understand what we read. Pray that God will help the children to be careful listeners and learn from what is read. Lesson The Bible tells us in I Samuel chapter 1 that there was a woman whose name was Hannah. Here is a picture of Hannah. Show Visual #2. What is Hannah doing? Allow time for response. How do you think Hannah is feeling? Allow time for children to respond. Poor Hannah! She is crying because she feels sad. Read 1 Samuel 1:10. Hannah talked to God when she felt sad. She knew that God cared. She knew that God would listen to her prayers. Now why do you think Hannah was so sad? Allow children to respond. The Bible tells us that Hannah was sad because she did not have any children. Hannah wanted a baby. She had wanted a baby for a long, long time. Show Visual #3. I need a helper to come point to Hannah in this picture. Choose a child to point to Hannah. Hannah was at the temple praying to God. She was asking God for a baby. But is Hannah the only person in this picture? I need a helper to come point to someone else in this picture. Choose a child to point to Eli. Hannah was not alone; Eli the priest was there, too. Eli was watching Hannah and wondering what was wrong with her. Hannah told Eli that she was very upset. She told Eli that she had been praying because she was very sad. Eli told Hannah to go back to her home. He said, May God give you what you have asked Him for. Eli knew that God would listen to Hannah s prayers. Read 1 Samuel 1: Hannah was no longer sad. She knew that God had heard her prayers. Show Visual #4. I need a helper to come point to Hannah in this picture. Choose a child to point to Hannah. But is Hannah the only person in this picture? I need a helper to come point to someone else in this picture. Choose a child to point to the baby. It is a baby! God heard Hannah s prayer and gave her a baby boy. Read 1 Samuel 1:20. Later in the Book of 1 Samuel, chapter 2, Hannah prays and talks to God again. But this time she prays because she is happy. She prays and thanks God for hearing her prayers. Application Hannah was sad and prayed to God. God heard Hannah s prayers, and God hears your prayers, too. Show Visual #1. Do you think these children can talk to God and pray when they are feeling sad? Allow time for response. You re right; of course they can talk to God, and God will hear their prayers. Boys 284 Let's Talk to God Lesson 1

285 and girls, you can talk to God when you are sad, too. God will always hear your prayers. Let s talk to God and thank Him for listening to our prayers. Prayer Time Suggestion Thank God that we can talk to Him when we are sad. Thank God for listening to our prayers. Review Questions Remind the children that God heard Hannah s prayers and gave her a baby boy. Tell the children when they think they know the answer to the question to let you know by quietly crying like a baby. It may be helpful to practice with the children, crying waa, waa, waa, like a baby. 1. Who was sad in the Bible story? (Hannah) 2. Why was Hannah so sad? (She had no children. She wanted a baby.) 3. What did Hannah do? (She prayed and talked to God.) 4. Who was watching Hannah pray? (Eli the priest) 5. What did Eli tell Hannah? (To go back home May God give you what you have asked of Him. ) Snack Time Happy Face Snacks Serve round snack crackers with happy faces made from canned cheese spray. Discussion Suggestion: Remind the children that Hannah felt sad at the beginning of the Bible lesson. What did Hannah do when she was sad? (Talked to God) Tell the children that the happy face cracker should remind them that Hannah felt happy when Eli told her God heard her prayer. Remind the children that just like Hannah, they can talk to God when they are sad and He will hear their prayers. Let's Talk to God Lesson 1 285

286 Happy and Sad Face Snacks Start with a round food like rice cakes, English muffins or Ritz Crackers. (This will be the head.) Using small plastic knives or craft sticks, have children spread peanut butter or cream cheese on the head. Then give the children small candies raisins, chocolate chips to make a happy face and a sad face. (Before serving peanut butter, make sure there are no children with peanut allergies in your classroom.) Discussion Suggestion: Tell the children that their sad face cracker should remind them of how Hannah felt at the beginning of the Bible lesson. What did Hannah do when she was sad? (Prayed to God) The happy face cracker should remind them that Hannah felt happy when Eli told her God heard her prayer. Remind the children that just like Hannah, they can talk to God when they are sad and He will hear their prayers. Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (Let's Talk to God Lesson 1) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. How did God answer Hannah s prayers? (God gave Hannah a baby boy.) 2. Name something that makes you feel sad. (Answers will vary) 3. What can you do when you feel sad? (Talk to God) 4. What does God always do when we pray? (He hears our prayers.) Prayer Time Thank God that we can talk to Him when we are sad and that He always hears our prayers. Suggested sentence prayer Thank you God for hearing me when I pray. Help me to remember to talk to you when I am feeling sad about. 286 Let's Talk to God Lesson 1

287 Scripture Memory Time Verse: Nehemiah 1:11a Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. Eli told Hannah that God heard her prayers. This verse tells us that God will pay attention to us when we pray. Say the verse aloud several times including the reference. Then ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Say it Sad, Say it Glad Tell the children that when you hold up the picture of Hannah crying, you want them to say the verse like they are feeling sad. Tell them that when you hold up the picture of Hannah with her baby, you want them to say the verse like they are very happy. Practice saying the verse with the children using a sad voice and expression and then saying it like they are happy. Game Time Where s the Baby? Choose one child to leave the room with a helper. Use a small doll or a picture of a baby and hide it somewhere in the room. Have the child come back to the room and begin looking for the baby. Have the other children give clues by pretending to cry loudly when the child is close to where the baby is hidden and pretending to cry softly when the child is far away from where the baby is. Continue playing until everyone has had a turn to look for the baby. Learning Link: Remind the children that Hannah prayed to God. She was sad, because she did not have any children. God heard her prayer and gave her a baby boy. Remind the children that just like Hannah, they can talk to God when they are sad and He will hear their prayer, too. Let's Talk to God Lesson 1 287

288 Baby Obstacle Course Set up an obstacle course either indoors or outside if weather permits. Have children crawl like babies through the course. Suggestions for the course: table to crawl under, chairs or playground cones to crawl around, leaders holding hula hoops upright to crawl through. If playing outdoors, think about a water obstacle for even more summer fun. Learning Link: Remind the children that when babies are little they crawl in order to get around. Ask the children who had a baby in this week s Bible lesson. Hannah prayed to God when she was sad, and God heard her prayer and gave her a baby boy. Remind the children that just like Hannah, they can talk to God when they are sad and He will hear their prayer, too. 288 Let's Talk to God Lesson 1

289 Nehemiah Prays Scripture Passage: Nehemiah 1:1 2:8 Lesson Objective and Application The children will learn that Nehemiah prayed to God for help to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. They will learn that like Nehemiah, they can talk to God when they need help, too. At the conclusion of this lesson, the children will name a time when they need God s help. They will pray and ask God to help them. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible A variety of communication tools. Examples: phone (real or play), pen and paper (or note card), computer devices (laptop, tablet, keyboard), megaphone, whistle Scripture Memory Bible Blocks (See directions in Scripture Memory Time) Game Time BASIC GAME Two cups Packing peanuts or cotton balls Two chairs ADVANCED GAME A disposable cup for each child Two buckets for each team Water Bible Lesson Introduction Set out a variety of communication devices. Today we are going to pretend that we need help. I wonder how we can use these different devices to let people know that we need help. Who can pick one of these things and tell us how we can use it to ask for help? Choose one child at a time to pick out a device. Talk about how we use it to ask people for help. There are lots of things we can use to ask people for help. Do we need to use any of these things to ask God for help? Allow children to respond. No, we don t. We can just talk to God when we need help. The Bible tells us about a man named Nehemiah who needed help. Let's Talk to God Lesson 2 289

290 I am going to open my Bible, God s Word, to the book of Nehemiah so we can find out why Nehemiah needed help and what he did. Let s talk to God and ask Him to help us understand what we read. Thank God for each boy and girl who came to Gopher Buddies. Ask God to help each one be a good listener. Lesson Boys and girls, the Book of Nehemiah in the Bible is about a man named Nehemiah. The Bible tells us that Nehemiah had a very important job. He was the cupbearer to the king. That meant that Nehemiah tasted the king s drink to make sure no one poisoned it. One day some men came from out of town to see Nehemiah. Nehemiah asked the men about his hometown, Jerusalem. The men told Nehemiah that the people in Jerusalem were having a hard time. The wall of Jerusalem was broken down. Nehemiah knew that without a wall, enemies would be able to attack the people. The people could not live safely inside the city. What do you think Nehemiah did when he heard this news? Listen as I read Nehemiah 1:4a to find out what Nehemiah did. Read Nehemiah 1:4a. The Bible says that Nehemiah was so sad when he heard this that he sat down and cried. He was so sad that he didn t even eat any food. Nehemiah wanted to help. But what could he do? I m going to read the last part of Nehemiah 1:4 so we can find out what Nehemiah did next. Read Nehemiah 1:4b. So what did Nehemiah do? Allow time for response. That s right; Nehemiah prayed. Nehemiah talked to God. Day after day, Nehemiah asked God to help the people in Jerusalem. In his prayers, Nehemiah asked God to please pay careful attention to his prayer. One day Nehemiah was working for the king. He got the king s drink, tasted it, and then handed the cup to the king. Even as he did his job, Nehemiah was still feeling sad. The king could see that Nehemiah was unhappy. The king asked Nehemiah why he was sad. Read Nehemiah 2:2-3.So Nehemiah told the king what was wrong, and the king wanted to help. Read Nehemiah 2:4. The Bible says that Nehemiah felt afraid. He quietly asked God for help as he answered the king s question. Read Nehemiah 2:5. Nehemiah then told the king what he wanted to do. The king listened to all that Nehemiah said. So, the king sent Nehemiah to work in Jerusalem. The king even sent the supplies that Nehemiah would need to repair the broken walls of the city! God helped Nehemiah, and the king gave him everything he asked for. Did Nehemiah need a phone to talk to God? Hold up phone and allow children to respond. No, Nehemiah just talked to God. Did Nehemiah need to write a note to God? Hold up paper and allow children to respond. No, Nehemiah just talked to God. Did Nehemiah need to God? Hold up computer and allow children to respond. No, Nehemiah just talked to God. Application Boys and girls, I m so glad we don t need anything special in order to talk to God. Just like Nehemiah, you can talk to God any time you need His help. Can you think of a time when you may need God to help you? Allow time for 290 Let's Talk to God Lesson 2

291 responses. You can talk to God when you need help being kind to your brother or sister. You can talk to God when you need help learning something new, like tying your shoes or riding a bike without training wheels. You can talk to God when you need help not being afraid, like during thunderstorms or when you wake up in the middle of the night. You can talk to God about big problems. You can talk to God about small problems. God is always ready to listen to your prayers. Let s talk to God right now and thank Him that we can talk to Him when we need help. Prayer Time Suggestion Pray for the specific times the children said that they needed God s help. Thank God for listening to our prayers. Review Questions Place two or three cups within easy reach of the children. Tell them that when they think they know the answer to a question to let you know by grabbing one of the cups. 1. What was the name of the man in our story? (Nehemiah) 2. What was Nehemiah s job? (He was the cupbearer to the king. He tasted the king s drink to make sure no one poisoned it.) 3. Why was Nehemiah sad? (The walls of Jerusalem were broken.) 4. What did Nehemiah do before he answered the king? (He prayed.) 5. How did the king help Nehemiah? (He sent Nehemiah, and the supplies he needed, to rebuild the wall.) Let's Talk to God Lesson 2 291

292 Snack Time Build a Wall Use pretzel rods and spreadable cheese and let the kids build walls for their snack. Discussion Suggestion: Review with the children that Nehemiah prayed to God for help to rebuild the wall of the city. Ask the children if they think the city wall was made from pretzels and cheese. Remind the children that just like Nehemiah, they can pray and talk to God when they need help, too. Yummy Cookie Wall Provide the children with cookies and canned frosting spread to build their own wall. Go ahead and let the children add some sprinkles for even more fun. Discussion Suggestion: Review with the children that Nehemiah prayed to God for help to rebuild the wall of the city. Ask the children if they think the city wall was made from cookies and frosting. Remind the children that just like Nehemiah, they can pray and talk to God when they need help, too. Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (Let's Talk to God Lesson 2) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. What did Nehemiah need help to do? (Rebuild the wall of the city) 2. Nehemiah prayed to God when he needed help. When can you pray to God? (When I need help) 3. Name a time when you might need God to help you. (Answers will vary) Prayer Time Thank God that we can talk to Him when we need help. Suggested sentence prayer Dear Jesus, please help me when. 292 Let's Talk to God Lesson 2

293 Scripture Memory Time Verse: Nehemiah 1:11a Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. This verse is part of Nehemiah s prayer when he asked God to help him rebuild the wall. Nehemiah asked God to pay attention to his prayer. Say the verse aloud several times including the reference. Then ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Build the Verse Have the same number of building blocks as there are words in the Bible verse in the version that the children are learning. Have a block for the reference, too. Pass out the blocks to the children, one block per child. Then as a group say the verse. As each word of the verse is said, have a child place one block on the table to make a wall. Repeat the activity until each child has had a turn to help build the wall. Game Time Pass the Peanuts Cup Relay Divide the children into two teams. Place a chair opposite each team. Give the first player in each line a cup filled to the top with packing peanuts or cotton balls. The first player then runs/walks to the chair, goes around it, and returns to their team. They then pass the cup to the next player in line. Continue until every player on each team has carried the cup to the chair and back. The person with the cup should not drop any peanuts/cotton balls. If they do, they must stop and put them back in the cup. Learning Link: Remind the children that Nehemiah was cupbearer to the king. Do they remember what that meant? (Nehemiah tasted the king s drink to make sure no one poisoned it.) Tell the children that you hope this fun relay game will help them remember the Bible lesson about Nehemiah. Encourage the children to remember in the week ahead that just like Nehemiah they can talk to God when they need help, too. Let's Talk to God Lesson 2 293

294 Wet and Wild Cup Relay This would be a fun game to play outdoors in the good ole summertime. Give each child a small disposable cup. Divide the children into an equal number of teams and have them line up. Place a bucket full of water by each team. Opposite each team place an empty bucket. On your signal, the first player on each team takes their cup, fills it with water from the bucket, runs/walks to their team s empty bucket, pours their cup of water into the bucket, and runs back to their team. The next player in line does the same thing. Continue playing until each player has had a turn. Then, see which team has the most water in the bucket that they ran to. Learning Link: Remind the children that Nehemiah was cupbearer to the king. Do they remember what that meant? (Nehemiah tasted the king s drink to make sure no one poisoned it.) Tell the children that you hope this fun relay game will help them remember the Bible lesson about Nehemiah. Encourage the children to remember in the week ahead that just like Nehemiah; they can talk to God when they need help, too. Need another idea... Give each child a large plastic cup. (Solo brand would work well.) Provide markers, funfoam stickers, and other craft materials for the children to decorate their cups. Give each child a package of Kool-aid drink mix to put in their cup to take home. Tell the children that you hope this cup will remind them to talk to God and pray when they need help in the coming week. 294 Let's Talk to God Lesson 2

295 The Twelve Spies Scripture Passage: Numbers 13:1 14:34 Lesson Objective and Application The children will learn that Moses sent twelve men to see what the new land looked like. They will learn that ten of the men were afraid, but Joshua and Caleb told the people not to be afraid because God would help them. The children will begin to understand that God will help them when they are afraid. At the conclusion of this lesson, the children will talk about times when they are afraid. They will pray and ask God to help them when they are afraid. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible Two paper plates A marker Scripture Memory Bible Game Time BASIC GAME Purple and green pompoms ADVANCED GAME Purple balloons Water Portable CD player and music Bible Lesson Introduction Have you ever felt afraid? Maybe you can t find your mom when you are shopping at a store. You look all around, but you don t see her. Draw wide open eyes on a paper plate. Show plate as you talk. You start to feel afraid. Maybe you are playing at the park when a dog starts to bark at you. Draw an open mouth on the plate. Show plate as you talk. You start to feel afraid. Maybe it starts to storm when it is time for you to go to bed. Draw high eyebrows on the plate. Show plate as you talk. You start to feel afraid. Feeling lost, barking dogs, and noisy thunderstorms can be scary things. Can you think of some other times when you feel afraid? Allow children to respond.the Bible tells us about a Let's Learn about God's Help Lesson 1 295

296 group of people who felt afraid. I am going to open my Bible, God s Word, to Numbers chapter 13 so we can find out who these people were and why they were afraid. Open your Bible. Let s ask God to help us understand what we read. Thank God for giving us His Word, the Bible. Ask Him to help each one be a good listener. Lesson God s people, the Israelites, were on their way to a new land. God chose a man named Moses to help lead His people to the land He had promised to give them. One day the Lord told Moses to send some men to check out the land of Canaan. So Moses chose twelve men to go and explore the land. Sometimes we call them the twelve spies. Listen to what Moses told the twelve spies to do. Read aloud Numbers 13:18-19a. Moses told the men to look around the land to see what it was like. He wanted them to find out whether the people who lived there were strong or weak. Moses wanted them to find out whether the land was good or bad. The Bible says the men went up and checked out the land. And what a land it was! Boys and girls, those twelve guys saw some pretty amazing things. Read Numbers 13:23. Can you imagine that a bunch of grapes was so big that it took two of the men to carry it? This land God had promised them was good. Draw a smiley face on a paper plate. Show plate as you talk. The new land would be a good place to live. The men looked around the land for forty days and then they came back to Moses and the people. The men showed them the fruit they had found in the Promised Land. They began to tell Moses and the people all about the things they had seen. This is what they said. Read Numbers 13:27 aloud from your Bible. All the people must have been happy and excited when they heard this and saw that big bunch of grapes. But wait, there was more than just giant grapes in this new land. Some of the men said they also saw giant-sized people. Read Numbers 13:28; 32b. Show afraid face plate. The men said the people in the new land were very strong. They said the people were very big and tall. They said the people were so big that the twelve spies looked like grasshoppers compared to them. When the people heard this, all of the sudden they began to think that this new land God had promised them wasn t so great after all. The people started to feel afraid. Can you look afraid like the people? Encourage the children to open their eyes wide and put their hands by their mouth. Ten of the men who Moses sent said, No, no, we mustn t go! We are afraid! But two of the spies, Joshua and Caleb, said, Yes, yes, we can go! We don t have to be afraid! Read Numbers 13:30. Caleb told the people they did not have to be afraid. Caleb knew the Lord would help them. Show happy face plate. Can you look happy like the two men? The ten spies did not believe Caleb. They said, No, no, we mustn t go! We are afraid! Read Numbers13:31.Show afraid face plate. Can you look afraid like 296 Let's Learn about God's Help Lesson 1

297 the ten men? The ten men did not want to go and live in the new land. They were afraid of the people who lived there. But Joshua and Caleb said again, Yes, yes, we can go! We don t have to be afraid! Read Numbers 14:9. Show happy face plate. Can you look happy like the two men? Joshua and Caleb were happy and excited about the land God had promised them. They knew that no matter how strong and tall and big the people in the new land were, that God was with them and would help them. Application The two spies, Joshua and Caleb, tried to tell the people that they didn t need to be afraid of the big, strong people in the new land because God would help them. Boys and girls, God will help you when you are afraid, too. Show happy face plate. God will help you when you can t find your mom in the store. God will help you when a strange dog starts barking at you. God will help you when it storms at night. Yes, yes, we can smile! We don t have to be afraid! We know God will help us. Prayer Time Suggestion Thank God for the true stories in the Bible. Thank God for helping us when we feel afraid. Review Questions Hold up the happy face plate from today s Bible lesson. Ask the children to look happy. Then hold up the afraid face plate. Ask the children to look afraid. Tell them that before they answer a question, you will hold up one of the plates. Tell the children to say their answer with the same face that is on the plate. Repeat for each question. 1. Where were God s people, the Israelites, going? (To a new land that He had promised to give to them) 2. How many men did Moses choose to go and explore the land? (Twelve men) 3. Name something good the men found in the new land. (Grapes, fruit) 4. Name something the men found that made them feel afraid. (People as big as giants) 5. How many of the spies said, No, no, we mustn t go! We are afraid!? (Ten) Let's Learn about God's Help Lesson 1 297

298 Snack Time Spy Snacks Give each child a package of fruit snacks. Don t forget the purple juice. For more fun during snack time, hide the fruit snacks around the room before class. At snack time, have the children look and try to spy out their snack. When everyone has found a package of fruit snacks, let snack time begin. Discussion Suggestion: Tell the children that when the spies came back to tell Moses and the people about what they saw in the new land, they also showed them the fruit they found. Ask the children if they remember how large the grapes were that the spies found in the new land. Ask the children if they remember how big the people were in the new land. Remind the children that ten of the spies were afraid to live in the new land because of the big and strong people. But two of the spies told the people they did not need to be afraid because God would help them. Encourage the children to pray and ask God for help when they feel afraid in the week ahead. Gobbling Grapes Serve grapes and a small cup of yogurt to dip them in. Don t forget the purple juice. Discussion Suggestion: Ask the children if they remember how large the grapes were that the spies found in the new land. Do they think it would be hard to eat a grape that big? Ask the children if they remember how big the people were in the new land. Remind the children that ten of the spies were afraid to live in the new land because of the big and strong people. But two of the spies told the people they did not need to be afraid because God would help them. Encourage the children to pray and ask God for help when they feel afraid in the week ahead. 298 Let's Learn about God's Help Lesson 1

299 Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (Let's Learn about God's Help Lesson 1) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. Why did Joshua and Caleb tell the people they did not need to be afraid? (Because God was with them and would help them) 2. Who will help you when you are afraid? (God) 3. Name a time when you feel afraid. (Answers will vary) Prayer Time Thank God that we can pray and ask Him to help us when we feel afraid. Suggested sentence prayer Dear God, sometimes I feel afraid when help me when I am afraid.. Please Scripture Memory Time Verse: Hebrews 13:6 Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. Joshua and Caleb were not afraid of the people in the new land because they knew God was with them and would help them. Say the verse including the reference aloud several times. Then ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Say It Like the Spies Tell the children to listen carefully to your directions, so they know how to say the memory verse. Start off saying, Say it like the spies and close your eyes. All the children should then say the verse with their eyes closed. Then say, Say it like the spies and jump up and down. Children repeat the verse jumping up and down. Continue as time allows. Other suggestions: Say it like the spies and...turn around; clap your hands; hop on one foot; put your hands on your head. Let's Learn about God's Help Lesson 1 299

300 Game Time The Great Grape Hunt Have the children sit on the floor and cover their eyes. Hide the purple and green pom-poms around the classroom. At your signal, have the children begin looking for the grapes. Continue playing as time allows. To keep it fun, have children take turns hiding the grapes. If weather permits, take the grape hunt outside. Learning Link: Remind the children that the twelve spies found grapes in the new land that were so large it took two of them to carry one bunch. It s a good thing the grapes in our game weren t that big; they would have been hard to carry. The people in the Bible lesson were not afraid of the big grapes, but of the big people. Joshua and Caleb told the people that they didn t have to be afraid because God would help them. Remind the children that God will help them when they are afraid, too. Great Purple Grape Balloon Games Choose one or more of the following purple balloon games to play with the children. Tell them to pretend the purple balloons are the great big grapes from today s Bible lesson. Grape Toss Divide the children into pairs, with each pair standing facing each other. Give each pair of children one purple water balloon. Have them toss the balloon to each other. After each successful toss, they take one step back. The pair whose tossing distance is the greatest, without dropping the balloon, is the winner. This is a fun summer game to play outdoors with the children. Purple Balloon Pass Play this version of Hot Potato with one purple grape balloon. Have the children stand in a circle. When the music begins to play, have them pass the purple grape around the circle. The one holding the balloon when the music stops must leave the circle. Continue playing until one child is left. 300 Let's Learn about God's Help Lesson 1

301 Purple Grape Balloon Grab Before class, blow up lots of balloons. At game time, scatter the balloons all around the room. Tell the children that they have one minute to grab and hold on to as many as giant purple grapes as they can. The winner is the child who is holding on to the most grapes at the end of the time. Repeat as time allows. Learning Link: Remind the children that the twelve spies found grapes in the new land that were so large it took two of them to carry one bunch. The people in the Bible lesson were not afraid of the big grapes, but of the big people. Joshua and Caleb told the people that they didn t have to be afraid because God would help them. Remind the children that God will help them when they are afraid, too. Let's Learn about God's Help Lesson 1 301

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303 Gideon Follows God s Directions Scripture Passage: Judges 7 Lesson Objective and Application The children will learn that God helped Gideon s small army win a battle because Gideon did what God told him to do. The children will learn that God will help them, too, when they follow Him. At the conclusion of this lesson, the children will name one way they can follow and obey God. They will pray and ask God to help them follow Him. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible Scripture Memory Bible Pictures of trumpet and torch from the Scripture Memory Review Games Appendix Game Time BASIC GAME Four buckets Water Paper cups ADVANCED GAME Trumpet and torch pictures from the Scripture Memory Review Games Appendix Portable CD player and music Slips of paper with torch and trumpet written on them Let's Learn about God's Help Lesson 2 303

304 Bible Lesson Introduction Boys and girls, I have been thinking about how people need to follow directions. I m sure you have had someone, like your mom or dad, your teacher, or your babysitter, tell you that you need to listen and follow directions. Raise your hand if you think that you are pretty good at following directions. Great! Let s find out right now how good you are at following directions. Let s see if you can carefully follow ALL of my directions. Stand up. Turn around two times. Count each turn: one, two. Clap your hands four times. Count each clap: one, two, three, four. Jump five times. Count each jump: one, two, three, four, five. Twirl your arms three times. Count each twirl: one, two, three. Sit down. Nice job! You had to listen very carefully so you knew exactly what to do. Now you know that boys and girls have to follow directions, but did you know grown-ups have to follow directions, too? Grown-ups have to follow the directions on road signs when they are driving a car. They have to follow directions when their boss at work tells them to do a certain job. The Bible tells us about a grown up, a man named Gideon, who had to follow directions. I am going to open my Bible, God s Word, to Judges Chapter 7. Let s find out who gave Gideon directions and see if he followed them. Let s ask God to help us understand what we read. Thank God for each boy and girl who came to Gopher Buddies today. Ask God to help each one understand the Bible lesson and learn more about Him. Lesson The last time we were together at Gopher Buddies we learned that Moses sent twelve spies to check out the new land God had promised to give to the Israelites. This week s Bible lesson takes place many years after that. The Israelite people are now living in the new land. Who remembers what the spies found in the new land? Allow time for response. That s right; they found great, big, giant grapes and great, big people. Now those people were sending their armies to fight the Israelites. God had chosen Gideon to lead the Israelite army into battle. Gideon and his soldiers were getting ready to fight against their enemy the Midianites. Gideon knew that God would help them win the battle. Gideon chose to follow God s directions. I will choose (Point to yourself) To follow (Stomp your feet like walking) God s directions! (Point up) 304 Let's Learn about God's Help Lesson 2

305 Can you say the poem with me this time? Repeat the poem together with the motions. The Bible says that while Gideon and his army were getting ready to fight the Midianites, God gave Gideon some rather surprising directions. Read Judges 7:3. Wow, God told Gideon that anyone in the army who was afraid to fight could go ahead and go home. Gideon followed God s directions very carefully. Gideon sent home all the soldiers who were afraid to fight. But would Gideon win the battle if lots and lots of soldiers went home? Gideon knew that God would help them win the battle. Gideon chose to follow God s directions. Encourage the children to say the poem with you. I will choose (Point to yourself) To follow (Stomp your feet like walking) God s directions! (Point up) After the soldiers who were afraid went home, God spoke to Gideon again. He had more directions for Gideon to follow. Listen as I read Judges 7:5-6 to find out what God wanted Gideon to do next. Read Judges 7:5-6. God wanted Gideon to send home all the soldiers who knelt down to get a drink of water. So Gideon sent home the soldiers who knelt down to take a drink. But would Gideon win the battle if more of the soldiers went home? Gideon knew that God would help them win the battle. Gideon chose to follow God s directions. Encourage the children to say the poem with you. I will choose (Point to yourself) To follow (Stomp your feet like walking) God s directions! (Point up) Now Gideon only had 300 men left in his army, and God had more directions for Gideon to follow. Read Judges 7:9. This time God told Gideon that they would fight the battle that very night. Gideon spread the 300 soldiers around the enemies camp. Each soldier held a fiery torch that was hidden inside a pitcher. Each soldier carried a trumpet. When Gideon gave his signal, the soldiers broke their pitchers and blew their trumpets! Read Judges 7: All of this noise scared the Midianite army so much that they ran away. Gideon chose to follow God s directions. Because Gideon followed and obeyed God, God helped Gideon s small army win a big battle. Encourage the children to say the poem with you. I will choose (Point to yourself) To follow (Stomp your feet like walking) God s directions! (Point up) Application Boys and girls, Gideon knew that it was important to follow God s directions. Gideon did everything God told him to do. God wants you to follow His Let's Learn about God's Help Lesson 2 305

306 directions, too. Where can you find God s directions? Allow children to respond. That s right; you can find God s directions in the Bible, God s Word. Can you think of any directions that God has given to you in the Bible? Allow children to respond. Those are all good answers. God says in the Bible that He wants you to obey your parents. Do you listen and obey when your mom or dad tell you to do something like pick up your toys? Another direction God has given to you in the Bible is to be kind to others. Are you kind to your friends at school? Are you kind to your brother or sister at home? God s Word, the Bible, also says that you should always tell the truth. Gideon chose to follow God s directions. I hope you will do the same in the week ahead. Will you try to follow and obey God directions? Let s say our poem one more time together. Encourage the children to say the poem with you. I will choose (Point to yourself) To follow (Stomp your feet like walking) God s directions! (Point up) Prayer Time Suggestion Thank God for giving us His directions in the Bible. Ask God to help us follow His directions. Review Questions Tell them that after you read each question, you will tell them how you want them to answer the question. For example: after reading question one, say, If you know the answer stand up. Do a few practice questions to help them understand what they are to do. Other possible directions to have them follow: If you know the answer clap your hands; march like a soldier; pretend to blow a trumpet. 1. What was the name of the man in our story who chose to follow God s directions? (Gideon) 2. Name one direction that God gave to Gideon. (Send home soldiers who are afraid to fight; send home soldiers who kneel down to drink; start the battle tonight) 3. What did the soldiers hide under their pitchers? (Fiery torches) 4. What did the soldiers blow? (Trumpets) 5. Why did the Midianite army run away? (All the noise from the trumpets and breaking pitchers scared them.) 306 Let's Learn about God's Help Lesson 2

307 Snack Time Bugle Trumpets Serve the children Bugles snacks with juice. Show the children how to bite the end off the Bugles and blow it to make a noise. Discussion Suggestion: Remind the children that the Midianite army ran away because they were scared of all the noise of the trumpets blowing and the pitchers breaking. Tell the children that you couldn t find any trumpet snacks, so you brought the next best thing. Tell them you hope the Bugles are a fun way to remember the noisy trumpets in the Bible lesson and that Gideon followed all of God s directions. Gideon Grub In the middle of the table, place one bowl of Bugles snacks, one bowl of M&M s candy, one bowl of gold fish shaped crackers, and one large bowl to mix everything together. Have on hand a small scoop or measuring cup. Tell the children that you want them to help make today s snack. Tell them they will need to follow the directions you give them. Then let the children take turns putting the different things into the bowl as you give each one a specific direction. Example: Put two scoops of fish crackers in the bowl. After all the children have had a turn carefully mix the ingredients together. Discussion Suggestion: Tell the children they did a great job following and obeying your directions in making the snack today. Remind them that in today s Bible Lesson, Gideon did everything God told him to do. Encourage them to think of ways they can obey and follow God in the coming week. Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (Let's Learn about God's Help Lesson 2) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. What did Gideon follow? (All the things God told him to do) 2. Where can we find God s directions for us? (The Bible) 3. Name a direction that God has given us in the Bible. (Possible answers: obey parents, be kind to others, tell the truth) Let's Learn about God's Help Lesson 2 307

308 4. Name one way you will try to follow and obey God s directions in the week ahead. (Answers will vary) Prayer Time Thank you God for giving us Your Word, the Bible, where we can find out the things you want us to do. Suggested sentence prayer Dear God, please help me to follow and obey your directions. Scripture Memory Time Verse: Hebrews 13:6 Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. Because Gideon knew that God would help him, he did everything God told him to do. Say the verse including the reference aloud several times. Then ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Trumpets and Torches Divide the children into two groups. Tell one group they are the trumpets, and show them the trumpet picture. Tell the second group they are the torches, and show them the torch picture. Tell the children that when you hold up their group s picture, that group will say the memory verse all together. Start out the activity slowly as you raise the two different pictures. Then hold up the pictures faster. End the activity by holding up both pictures and having all the children say the verse together. 308 Let's Learn about God's Help Lesson 2

309 Game Time Fill the Bucket Brigade Divide the class into two equal teams. Have each team stand in a line between their two buckets...one empty bucket and one full of water. Give each child a paper cup. Tell the children that you want them to empty the full bucket into the empty one by pouring water from one cup into the next, all the way down the line. The last child then pours their water into the empty bucket. Learning Link: Remind the children that one way Gideon followed God s direction was sending home the men who knelt down to get a drink of the water. God wants each of them to follow and obey Him, too. Encourage them to think of one way they can follow and obey God in the week ahead. Trumpet and Torches Corners Game Place the trumpet and torch pictures in opposite corners of the room. Play the music and have the children move around the room. When the music stops each child runs to one of the corners. Then the leader draws a piece of paper from the basket and calls out either trumpet or torch. All the children in that corner are out of the game. Continue to play until there is only one child left. Learning Link: Remind the children that one way Gideon followed God s directions was to fight the enemy at night. Each of the soldiers carried a trumpet and a fiery torch. God wants each of them to follow and obey Him, too. Encourage them to think of one way they can follow and obey God in the week ahead. Let's Learn about God's Help Lesson 2 309

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311 The Lost Sheep Scripture Passage: Luke 15:3-6 Lesson Objective and Application The children will learn that Jesus told a story about a good shepherd who looked for his lost sheep. The children will begin to understand that God is like the shepherd; He loves and cares for each one of us. At the conclusion of this lesson, the children will name one way God cares for them. They will thank Him for His love and care. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible 100 cotton balls Scripture Memory Bible Game Time BASIC GAME Cotton balls from Bible lesson ADVANCED GAME Cotton balls from Bible lesson Two baskets or buckets Plastic spoons Bible Lesson Introduction Boys and girls, I thought it would be fun to start off by playing a game. Let s play a game called Who Is Missing? Look around carefully. See all of our friends who are here today? If possible, go around and name each child who is there. I am going to help one of our friends hide. Your job will be to figure out who is missing. Are you ready to play? Everyone put your hands over your eyes and count to fifteen with me. Count to fifteen with the children. As you count, quietly help one of the children hide. It is time to open your eyes and guess who is missing! Raise your hand if you know who is missing. Call on children to make a guess until the correct child is chosen. Play the game a few times. It was fun to guess who was missing. Each of our friends is special and we are glad Let's Learn about God's Love Lesson 1 311

312 that you are here today. Did you know there is a story in the Bible about a shepherd who asked, Who is missing? when he couldn t find one of his sheep? I am going to open my Bible to Luke chapter 15. Let s listen and find out if the shepherd finds his lost sheep. Let s ask God to help us understand what we read. Thank God for each boy and girl who came to Gopher Buddies today. Ask God to help each one be a good listener so they can learn more about Him. Lesson The Bible says in Luke chapter 15 that one day Jesus told a story to some people. Jesus told them to pretend they were a shepherd. A shepherd is a person who looks after and cares for sheep. Jesus went on to say, Pretend you are a shepherd and you have one hundred sheep. Now, I didn t have one hundred sheep to bring to Gopher Buddies today, but I do have one hundred cotton balls. I thought we could pretend that these cotton balls are sheep. Show one hundred cotton balls. They are kind of fluffy like sheep, right? Remember every cotton ball is like one sheep. Wow, look at ALL the sheep the shepherd has! Jesus went on to ask the people what would happen if the shepherd found out one of his sheep was missing. Hold up one cotton ball. What if one of the sheep got lost from the rest? Pick a child to hide one cotton ball in the back of the room. The shepherd would count his sheep. Begin pointing to and counting the cotton balls. Count one to ten, then skip and count ninety-five to ninety-nine. The shepherd would know that he only had ninety-nine sheep. One of his sheep was lost and missing. What do you think the shepherd would do? Allow the children to respond. Even though the shepherd still had ninety-nine sheep, he missed the one that was lost. He loved and cared for each one of the sheep. They were all important to him. Let s find out what the shepherd did. Read Luke 15:4. What did the shepherd do? Allow children to respond. The shepherd went to find his lost sheep. He left the ninety-nine sheep and Pretend to call out and look around for the lost sheep. The Bible says that when he found his missing sheep, he carried it all the way home. Then he called all his friends and neighbors to tell them he was so happy because he had found his lost sheep. Return the found cotton ball to the group. Read Luke 15:5-6. Every sheep was important to the shepherd. He loved and cared for each of them. Application Jesus told this story about the shepherd because he wanted to teach the people an important lesson. After Jesus told the story, He told them what its special meaning was. He said God is like the shepherd. He loves and cares for each one of us just like the shepherd cared about each of his sheep. There are lots of ways God cares for you. He gives you homes, the places that you live. He gives you grown-ups who love you and take care of you. He gives you food to eat. He gives you His Word, the Bible, that helps you know how to follow and obey Him. Can you think of some other ways God cares for you? Allow time for responses. Wow, there are so many ways God cares for you and shows you His love. Let s thank God for His great love and care. 312 Let's Learn about God's Love Lesson 1

313 Prayer Time Suggestion Thank God for being like a shepherd who loves and cares for each one of us. Review Questions Place several of the cotton ball sheep in front of the children. Tell them that when they know the answer to a question, they should let you know by grabbing a cotton ball sheep. 1. What does a shepherd do? (Looks after, cares for sheep) 2. How many sheep did the shepherd have? (One hundred) 3. How many sheep were missing? (One) 4. What did the shepherd do when he found his sheep? (He carried it home and called his friends and neighbors.) 5. Why was the shepherd so happy? (Because he found his lost sheep) Snack Time Wooly Sheep Munch and Crunch Bring popcorn to class for the kids to munch. Don t forget the juice! Optional Idea: To go along with the lost theme, put popcorn into individual bags for the children. Hide the bags before class, and tell the children at snack time that you have lost their snacks. Tell them they need to be like the shepherd, and go looking for the lost snacks. Discussion Suggestion: Tell the children that you brought popcorn for snack today because it looks kind of like sheep wool. Remind the children that God is like the shepherd in the Bible lesson. He loves and cares for each one of them. As they enjoy their snack, encourage them to name some ways God cares for them. Let's Learn about God's Love Lesson 1 313

314 Baa, Baa Cupcakes Decorate cupcakes with frosting and top with mini marshmallows to look like sheep. Serve with milk or juice. Discussion Suggestion: Go over with the children that the shepherd in today s Bible lesson loved and cared for his sheep. Remind them that Jesus told this story so we would know that God is like the shepherd. He loves and cares for each one of us. Encourage them to name some ways God cares for them. Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (Let's Learn about God's Love Lesson 1) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. Whom did Jesus say was like the shepherd? (God) 2. How is God like the shepherd? (He loves and cares for each one of us.) 3. Name one way God cares for you and shows you His love. (Answers will vary) Prayer Time Thank you God for all the ways you love and care for us. Suggested sentence prayer Thank you God for caring for me and for loving me just like the shepherd cared for his sheep. Scripture Memory Time Verse: John 10:11 Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. Jesus is like a good shepherd. He loves and cares for us so much that He died on the cross for the wrong things we have done. Say the verse including the reference aloud several times. Then ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Hidden Scripture Write the verse the children are learning on the puzzle pattern found in the appendix. Cut the puzzle along the lines. Have the children close their eyes 314 Let's Learn about God's Love Lesson 1

315 while you hide the puzzle pieces. Choose a few children to look for the puzzle pieces. Have the children put the pieces together to complete the verse. A leader should help them if necessary. Once the verse is complete, have all the children repeat the verse. Have the children who just searched hide the pieces, while the other children cover their eyes. Repeat as time allows. Game Time Cotton Ball Sheep Search Have a helper hide the cotton balls in another room away from the children or outside if weather permits. Hide enough cotton balls so that each child can find several. It may be easier just to hide a certain number and then tell the children how many they are each to try and find. Give each child a bag. Tell them that they need to search for the lost cotton ball sheep and when they find them to put them in their bag. After a sufficient amount of time, have the children come back together and count the cotton ball sheep that are in their bags. Learning Link: Go over with the children that the shepherd in today s Bible lesson loved and cared for his sheep. He loved them so much he went and rounded up the one lost sheep. Remind them that Jesus told this story so we would know that God is like the shepherd. He loves and cares for each one of us. Tell the children that you hope they will remember to thank God for loving and caring for them. Let's Learn about God's Love Lesson 1 315

316 Wooly Roundup Divide the children into two groups and have each group stand on opposite sides of the room. Place an empty basket or bucket by each team. Then take the cotton balls that were used in the Bible lesson and spread them out on the floor. Tell the children these are the sheep. Give each child a plastic spoon. Tell them that when you say Go each one should round up a cotton ball sheep. They have one minute to round up as many sheep as they can. They do that by placing the cotton ball on their spoon and putting it in their team s bucket. At the end of the minute, have the children sit down and count the cotton ball sheep in their team s bucket. Learning Link: Go over with the children that the shepherd in today s Bible lesson loved and cared for his sheep. He loved them so much he went and rounded up the one lost sheep. Remind them that Jesus told this story so we would know that God is like the shepherd. He loves and cares for each one of us. Tell the children that you hope they will remember to thank God for loving and caring for them. 316 Let's Learn about God's Love Lesson 1

317 The Lost Son Scripture Passage: Luke 15:11-32 Lesson Objective and Application The children will learn that Jesus told a story about a father and his lost son. They will begin to understand that God is like the father in the story; He loves everyone and wants them to come to Him. At the conclusion of this lesson, the children will have the opportunity to pray and ask Jesus to forgive their sins and be their Lord and Savior. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible A stuffed dog An empty gift bag Scripture Memory Bible Game Time BASIC GAME Large piece of poster board with five hearts drawn on it Beanbags Sidewalk chalk (See optional game directions) ADVANCED GAME Red, pink, and purple construction paper hearts Bible Lesson Introduction Hold a stuffed dog. This is my dog, Eddie. I like to spend time with Eddie. I like to throw the ball to Eddie so he can run and catch it. I like to cuddle Eddie while I watch TV. And Eddie is a good watch dog; he barks whenever he hears something outside. But sometimes Eddie is a naughty dog. Sometimes Eddie chews on my shoes! Sometimes Eddie steals food off my dinner plate! Sometimes Eddie tries to bite the mailman! When Eddie is a naughty dog it Let's Learn about God's Love Lesson 2 317

318 makes me feel sad. But I still love Eddie. And I am still glad that Eddie is my dog. Eddie reminds me of a story in the Bible. Not a story about a naughty dog, but a story about a naughty son. I am going to open my Bible, God s Word, to Luke chapter 15. Let s ask God to help us understand what we read. Thank God for His Word, the Bible. Ask God to help each one be a good listener so they can learn more about Him. Lesson Boys and girls, do you remember what we talked about the last time we were together? Allow time for responses. That s right; we talked about a shepherd and his lost sheep. Remember I told you that Jesus told the story about the shepherd because He wanted to teach the people an important lesson? After Jesus told the story, He told them what its special meaning was. He said God is like the shepherd. He loves and cares for each one of us just like the shepherd cared about each of his sheep. Well, today our Bible lesson is another story Jesus told. This time Jesus story begins with a father who had two sons. The father had been saving money to give to his sons. This money was called an inheritance. It was a gift that the sons would get when their father died. Show gift bag. The younger of the two sons decided that he did not want to wait for his gift; he wanted his gift right then. Read Luke 15: So the father gave his son the gift. And not long after that, the son packed up his stuff, waved goodbye to his dad and his older brother, and left for a place far away. At first the son had lots of fun! He ate lots of good food. He might have bought nice new clothes for himself. He went to lots of parties. The Bible says he was having so much fun that he spent everything his father had given him! And now his gift was all gone. Show inside of empty gift bag. Now the son had no money to pay for a place to stay. He had no money to buy food to eat. And the only job he could find was feeding pigs. And that was a dirty, smelly job! Read Luke 15: The son was hungry, dirty, and he had no place to sleep. What was he going to do now? One day the son was thinking about his father. He remembered how his father had taken care of the men who worked for him. They all had plenty of food to eat, and here he was starving. So the son got an idea! Read Luke 15: Maybe his father would let him come home and work for him. The Bible says that the son got up and started out for his father s house. Before the boy could make it all the way home, his father saw him coming. Do you think the father was glad to see his son? Allow children to respond. Let s find out! Read Luke 15:20. Wow, the father was so excited to see his son. He loved him so much. He ran out to meet him. He gave his son a big hug and kissed him. He was glad his son was home! Now the son knew that he had made bad choices. He knew he had made his dad very sad. He asked his father to forgive him. Read Luke 15: The 318 Let's Learn about God's Love Lesson 2

319 father was sad when his son was naughty, but the father still loved his son. The father told the servants to bring the best robe and put it on his son. Then the father said, Let s have a big party to celebrate! My lost son has come back home! Application Jesus told this story about the father and the son so the people would begin to understand that God is like the father in the story. He loves everyone and wants them to come to Him. Just like the father forgave his son for all the bad things he had done, God will forgive you for the wrong things you have done, too. The son in the story did wrong things and sometimes you do wrong things, too. You may disobey your parents, hit your brother, or tell a lie. The Bible calls these wrong choices sin. Sin is anything you say, do, or think that makes God sad. The Bible tells us in Romans 3:23 that we have all sinned, and our sin separates us from God. In the same way, the naughty son in the Bible story was separated from his father. God knows that we do naughty things, but God still loves us. John 3:16 tells us that God loves us so much that He sent His own Son Jesus to the earth. Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for our sins. Jesus did not stay dead; He came back to life again on the third day. The father in our Bible story was glad to see his son return. God wants us to come to him, too. Romans 10:9 tells us that we can talk to God. We can ask God to forgive our sins. We can tell God that we believe that Jesus died to pay the price for our sins. Have you told God you are sorry for your sin? Have you asked Him to forgive you and be your Savior from sin? If you would like a teacher to help you understand about this gift that only God can give you, please talk to me after the lesson. Have a leader available for counseling. For detailed invitation instructions and an explanation concerning the process of leading Early Learners to Christ, please see the appendix in this Bible Study. Prayer Time Suggestion Thank God for loving us even though we sin. Thank Jesus for paying the price for our sins. Let's Learn about God's Love Lesson 2 319

320 Review Questions Place the gift bag on one side of the room. Have the children line up along the opposite wall. Tell the children that when they know the answer to the question, they should hop to the gift bag. Vary the action with each question: for example, tiptoe, march or jump to the bag. 1. What did the younger son not want to wait for? (His inheritance, special money gift from his father) 2. What did the younger son do, not long after his father gave him the money? (He packed up his stuff and left for a place far away.) 3. What job did the son have to do when he had spent all of his money? (He had to feed pigs.) 4. What did the boy decide to do next? (Go home and work for his father) 5. What did the father do when he saw his son coming? (He ran out to meet him and gave him a big hug and a kiss.) Snack Time Piggy Slop Give each child a clear cup filled with chocolate pudding and a spoon. Place bowls of sprinkles, M&M s, raisins, and chopped bananas in the center of the table. Let the children mix their favorite things in their own pudding. Then let them enjoy their own cup of piggy slop. Discussion Suggestion: Remind the children that when the son spent all his money, the only job he could get was feeding pigs. Sometimes people call the food they feed to pigs slop, which sounds kind of yucky. Tell the children you hope this fun piggy snack will help them remember today s Bible story, and that God is like the father who loved his son and forgave him for the wrong things he had done. 320 Let's Learn about God's Love Lesson 2

321 Pink Pig-Sicles Mix together two cups of plain yogurt, a twelve ounce can of unsweetened frozen apple-cranberry juice concentrate, and two teaspoons of vanilla. Pour the mixture into small paper cups and insert plastic spoons for handles. Chill in the freezer until set. (Makes 8-10 treats) Discussion Suggestion: Remind the children that when the son spent all his money the only job he could get was feeding pigs. Sometimes people call the food they feed to pigs slop, which sounds kind of yucky. Tell the children you hope this fun piggy snack will help them remember today s Bible story, and that God is like the father who loved his son and forgave him for the wrong things he had done. Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (Let's Learn about God's Love Lesson 2) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. Why did Jesus tell the people the story about the father and the son? (He wanted them to begin to understand that God is like the father in the story.) 2. Why did Jesus die on the cross? (To pay the price for our sins) 3. In the Bible story the father forgave his son for the wrong things he had done. Who will forgive you for the wrong things you have done? (God) Prayer Time Thank God that He loves everyone and wants them to come to Him. Suggested sentence prayer Dear God, thank you that you forgive me for the wrong things I have done. Thank you for sending Your Son Jesus to pay the price for my sins. Let's Learn about God's Love Lesson 2 321

322 Scripture Memory Time Verse: John 10:11 Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. Jesus is like a good shepherd. He laid down His life for us when He died on the cross to pay the price for our sins. Say the verse aloud several times including the reference. Then, ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Crazy Stand-Ups Have the children sit on the floor facing you. Ask the children to stand up and say the verse and reference. Each time, vary the stipulations for standing (For example: all those with blue eyes, everyone who is wearing green, everyone who has a sister, everyone who has no siblings). Repeat until all the children have had a turn or as time allows. Game Time Heart Toss On a large piece of poster board, draw five large hearts. In each heart write a number one through five. Line the children up and give each one a turn tossing a beanbag to hit the highest number. If weather permits, play this game outdoors. Instead of the poster board, draw the hearts with sidewalk chalk on the driveway or sidewalk. If you have a large group, you may wish to make two or three poster boards with hearts. Learning Link: Ask the children what they think of when they see hearts. Tell them hearts usually make people think of love. Remind them that Jesus told the story about the father and the son so the people would begin to understand that God is like the father in the story. He loves everyone and wants them to come to Him. God loves us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross to pay the price for our sins. 322 Let's Learn about God's Love Lesson 2

323 Who Has My Heart? Before class, cut out several hearts using red, pink and purple construction paper. Cut them in half, varying the cut (zig zag, curvy, etc...) Scatter them on the floor and have the children pick out a half and then try to find its mate. This game may also be played relay style. Start each child off with a half of heart in their hand. Divide them into two teams and let the children try to find their match. The first team to get all their matches wins. Learning Link: Ask the children what they think of when they see hearts. Tell them hearts usually make people think of love. Remind them that Jesus told the story about the father and the son so the people would begin to understand that God is like the father in the story. He loves everyone and wants them to come to Him. God loves us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross to pay the price for our sins. Let's Learn about God's Love Lesson 2 323

324 324 Let's Learn about God's Love Lesson 2

325 Jesus Makes a Sick Woman Well Scripture Passage: Mark 5:24-34 Lesson Objective and Application The children will learn that a sick woman was healed when she touched Jesus robe. They will learn that Jesus helped and healed many people while He was on earth. At the conclusion of this lesson, the children will name one way that Jesus helps them. They will pray and thank Him for His help. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible Two balloons with faces drawn on them Scripture Memory Bible One balloon from the Bible lesson Game Time BASIC GAME Large paper bag Several items to put in the bag for the children to touch ADVANCED GAME A balloon for each child Two large-sized paper plates for each child Crayons, markers, stickers Portable CD player and music Planning ahead: If you would like to do a summertime beach theme for next week, please send notes home with the children today. Ask them to bring beach towels to Gopher Buddies next week. Let's Learn More about Jesus Lesson 1 325

326 Bible Lesson Introduction Show two balloons with faces drawn on them. Boys and girls, have you ever been in a big crowd of people? A place where there are so many people that you keep bumping into each other? Bump balloons together. Maybe you were in a busy store with lots and lots of people waiting in lines. Bump balloons together. Maybe you were leaving a ball game and there were lots of people in the lobby. Bump balloons together. Maybe you were on a crowded sidewalk watching a parade. Bump balloons together. It is hard not to bump into other people when you are in a large crowd like that. Our Bible story today is about a time when Jesus was in a large crowd of people and someone bumped into Him. Bump balloons together. I am going to open my Bible, God s Word, to Mark chapter 5, so we can find out who bumped into Jesus and what happened afterwards. Before we begin, let s ask God to help us be good listeners and learn from His Word. Ask God to help the children pay attention and learn from His Word, the Bible. Lesson I m going to start by reading from the Bible in Mark 5:24. Read Mark 5:24.The Bible says that a large group of people were following Jesus. And they weren t just following Him, they were crowding around Him. Some of the people in the crowd had come to listen to Jesus teach. Some of the people had come because they were sick and wanted Jesus to make them better. All kinds of different people were crowding around Jesus. They were probably bumping into each other and bumping into Jesus. Bump balloons together. In the crowd of people, there was a woman who had been sick for a very long time. The Bible says she had been sick for twelve years. Listen as I read more about her in Mark 5:26. Read Mark 5:26. Oh my, this poor lady. She had gone to many doctors. She hoped that they would be able to make her well. The doctors had done everything they knew to help her, but instead of feeling better, the woman kept getting sicker. Then she heard about Jesus! She had heard that Jesus could make sick people well. Even though the doctors hadn t been able to help her, she believed that Jesus could make her better. She knew that Jesus cared about her. She knew that she needed to get to Jesus. The only problem was that great big crowd around Him. Every time she got near to Jesus, someone would bump into her and push her farther away from Him. Bump the balloons together. How was she ever going to get Jesus attention? She couldn t get close enough to Him to tell Him what she needed because of all the people around Him. But then she had an idea. Listen as I read Mark 5:28 to find out what her idea was. Read Mark 5:28.The sick woman decided she didn t even need to speak to Jesus for Him to make her well; she just needed to touch His clothes. And that is what she did. The Bible says she came up behind Him in the crowd and touched His 326 Let's Learn More about Jesus Lesson 1

327 robe. Bump the balloons together. As soon as she did that, she was immediately healed! She knew right away that she was all better. Now listen as I read the next two Bible verses to find out what Jesus said. Read Mark 5: Jesus wanted to know who touched Him. His friends said, There are so many people crowding around and bumping into each other, there is no way to know who touched You. But Jesus kept looking around. He wanted to see who had touched Him. Then the woman came and fell down at Jesus feet. She told Him what had happened to her. And then this is what Jesus said to her. Read Mark 5:34. Now the woman was healed! She was no longer sick! Jesus had helped her and made her better. Application While Jesus was on earth He helped and healed many people. He made blind people see. He made people who couldn t walk to move again. He fed people when they were hungry. He helped moms and dads and boys and girls. And boys and girls, Jesus still helps people! Let s think of some ways Jesus has helped you. Allow time for responses. Maybe He has helped you or someone you love get better when they were sick. Maybe Jesus has helped your mom or dad find a new job or a new place to live. Maybe Jesus has helped you learn something new like riding your bike or learning to swim. There are lots of ways Jesus helps you, in big ways and small ways. Let s thank Him now for helping us. Prayer Time Suggestion Thank Jesus for helping us in so many ways! Review Questions Tell the children that when they answer a question correctly you will let them know by bumping the two balloons together. 1. Who was following Jesus? (A large crowd of people) 2. How long had the woman been sick? (Twelve years) 3. Whom did the sick woman believe could make her better? (Jesus) 4. What happened when the woman touched Jesus robe? (She was immediately healed.) 5. What did Jesus want to know? (Who touched Him?) Let's Learn More about Jesus Lesson 1 327

328 Snack Time Balloon Bump Cookies Make or buy circle shaped sugar cookies. Frost one cookie; put in a red shoelace licorice and top with another cookie. Serve with milk. Discussion Suggestion: Remind the children that you used real balloons, not cookie balloons, in the Bible story to show them how the crowd that was following Jesus was bumping into each other. Review with them how the sick woman was in the crowd. She touched Jesus robe and was healed. While Jesus was on earth He helped and healed many people. Tell the children that you hope their balloon cookies will remind them of today s lesson, and that Jesus still helps them today. Balloon Bump Cakes Give each child a rice cake and a small cup filled with frosting. Give the children craft sticks to use as spreaders. Have the children decorate their rice cake with frosting. Use string licorice as the balloon string. For even more fun, let the children add sprinkles to their balloon. Discussion Suggestion: Remind the children that you used real balloons, not rice cake balloons, in the Bible story to show them how the crowd that was following Jesus was bumping into each other. Review with them how the sick woman was in the crowd. She touched Jesus robe and was healed. While Jesus was on earth He helped and healed many people. Tell the children that you hope their balloon bump cakes will remind them of today s lesson, and that Jesus still helps them today. Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (Let's Learn More about Jesus Lesson 1) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. What did Jesus do while He was on earth? (He helped and healed many people.) 2. How did Jesus help people? (Possible answers: He made the blind see, fed the hungry, made the lame walk again) 3. Name one way Jesus has helped you. (Answers will vary) 328 Let's Learn More about Jesus Lesson 1

329 Prayer Time Thank Jesus for all the ways He helps us. Suggested sentence prayer Dear Jesus, thank you for helping me. Scripture Memory Time Verse: John 3:16 Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. God loves us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to the world. While Jesus was on earth He helped and healed many people, like the woman in our Bible lesson. Say the verse including the reference aloud several times. Then ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Balloon Toss Toss a balloon into the air as high as you can. Have the children attempt to say the memory verse and reference before the balloon hits the floor. Repeat as time allows. Game Time What Did I Touch? Before class, get a paper bag and add a variety of items for the children to touch. Suggested items: a small rock, a crayon, a cotton ball, a bean bag, a small sucker, a coin, a dollar bill, a key. Have children take turns putting their hand in the bag to pick one item and touching it while you hold the bag. Then ask them to guess what they think they are touching. After they guess, let them take the item out of the bag to see if they were correct. Place the item back in the bag and continue the game until everyone has had a turn. Learning Link: Remind the children that in today s Bible lesson, the woman decided she just needed to touch Jesus robe in order to get better, just like the way they touched the things in the bag. Review with the children that Jesus helped and healed many people while He was on earth. Jesus still helps us. Encourage them to think of ways that Jesus helps them and to thank Him for His help. Let's Learn More about Jesus Lesson 1 329

330 Balloon Bump First have the kids decorate a large-sized paper plate with markers, crayons, and stickers. Have leaders attach a paint stir stick or unsharpened pencil to the back of the plate with tape, and then attach another plain plate on to the back. This will be the balloon bump paddle. Give each child a balloon. Let them have fun batting and bouncing their balloons. You may also divide the children into pairs and have them bat one balloon back and forth between them. Play some music for even more fun! Learning Link: Tell the children that just as their balloon bump paddles touched the balloons, the woman touched Jesus robe, and she was healed. Review with the children that Jesus helped and healed many people while He was on earth. Jesus still helps us. Encourage them to think of ways that Jesus helps them and to thank Him for His help. 330 Let's Learn More about Jesus Lesson 1

331 Jesus Is Alive! Scripture Passage: John 21:1-14 Lesson Objective and Application The children will learn that Jesus died on the cross, was buried, and came back to life on the third day. They will also learn that one day after Jesus came back to life; He fixed breakfast for His friends. At the conclusion of this lesson, the children will pray and thank Jesus for dying on the cross for their sins. They will also thank Jesus that He rose from the dead and lives today. Supply List Bible Lesson A Bible in a bag Father Gopher puppet Emily Gopher puppet Scripture Memory Bible Beach towels Game Time BASIC GAME Plastic toy fish Portable CD player and music ADVANCED GAME Dowel rod String, magnet Copy of the fish pattern from the Games Idea Appendix Balloons, water, Some kind of net or large sheet, marker Fish Craft: See advanced game directions for supplies Note: If the children brought beach towels, let them sit on their towels as they listen to the Bible lesson. Be prepared with extra towels, for those children who did not bring one. Let's Learn More about Jesus Lesson 2 331

332 Bible Lesson Gopher Puppet Dialog Father Gopher and Emily Gopher quietly enter. Teacher: Hello Father Gopher and Emily. You were both so quiet that I almost didn t notice that you came in. Father: Hello (insert teacher s name). Emily and I were just going on a quiet walk together. Emily is feeling a little sad. I thought a walk together might help her feel better. Teacher: That s a good idea. Emily, why you are feeling sad? Emily: I m sad because I had to say goodbye to my cousin. She came to visit me and we had so much fun together. But now she needs to go home, and I won t be able to play with her anymore. Emily sadly hangs her head. Teacher: It is hard to say goodbye to someone we care about. I am sure there has been a time when the boys and girls have felt sad when they had to say goodbye to someone. Can anyone tell us about a time you had to say goodbye? Allow children to respond. Emily: I guess saying goodbye can make lots of people feel sad. Teacher: You re right Emily. The Bible tells us about some men who were feeling very sad when they had to say goodbye to someone. Emily sounds surprised and confused. Emily: Grown-up people? Do you mean even dads can feel sad when they have to say goodbye? Emily looks at her dad. Father: That is right Emily. I missed you when you spent the weekend at your grandma s house. I felt sad when we couldn t play games together and go for walks together. Emily hugs Father. 332 Let's Learn More about Jesus Lesson 2

333 Emily: I missed you, too! Teacher: You were only gone for a couple of days to your grandma s house. Your dad knew that he would see you again soon. But the group of men in the Bible, they had said goodbye to someone whom they didn t think that they would ever see again. Emily: I bet they were really unhappy! Teacher: That s right Emily. The group of men was Jesus special helpers, the disciples, and the person they had said goodbye to was Jesus. Jesus had just died on the cross. The Bible tells us that Jesus loves us so much that He died on the cross to pay the price for our sin. Father: Jesus friends were sad because they wouldn t be able to talk with Jesus, or go on walks with Jesus, or listen to Jesus teaching any more. Teacher: When you were feeling sad, you decided to go on a quiet walk with your dad. Listen as I read from John chapter 21. See if you can tell me what Jesus friends decided to do when they felt bad. Read John 21:3. Teacher: Who can tell me what Jesus friends did? Allow children to respond. Teacher: That s right; the disciples went fishing. But after fishing all night they did not catch any fish. Emily: You mean they fished all night long and didn t catch one fish? Teacher: That s what happened. Now listen as I read the next verse to see what happened next. Read John 21:4. Emily: Wait! Jesus was standing on the beach! I thought you said Jesus had died on the cross. Father: He did die on the cross, Emily. After He had died, some of His friends took His body and put it in a tomb. But Jesus did not stay dead! On the third day Jesus came back to life again. Jesus was alive! Emily: Wow, I bet His friends were really surprised when they found out it was Jesus standing there on the shore! Let's Learn More about Jesus Lesson 2 333

334 Teacher: Let s find out what happened next. Read John 21:5-6. Emily: It was a miracle, something only God s Son could do! Teacher: The men knew it was a miracle, too. And they knew it had to be Jesus standing on the beach. Father: One of Jesus disciples, Peter, got so excited when he realized that it was Jesus standing on the beach that he jumped out of the boat, right into the water, and swam to the beach. Teacher: Listen and see if you can tell me what Jesus did next. Read John 21:12. Teacher: Can someone tell me what Jesus did for His friends? Allow children to respond. Emily: He made them breakfast! I think Jesus friends were happy to see Him again. Father: Yes, they were very excited to see Jesus again. Emily: You know something? I don t feel so sad anymore. I think I ll go home and call my cousin. I want to tell her the story of Jesus and His friends. Father: That sounds like a great idea. Goodbye boys and girls! Emily: Goodbye (insert teacher s name). Father and Emily exit waving goodbye. Teacher: Goodbye. Application The last time we were together, we talked about the sick woman who touched Jesus robe. As soon as she touched Him, she was healed. Remember we learned that while Jesus was on earth He helped and healed many people. Jesus helped the people because He loved them so much. Jesus loves each one of you, too. He loves you so much that He died on the cross to pay the price for your sins. But Jesus did not stay dead; He rose again on the third day! Jesus is alive! Jesus disciples saw Him! He helped them catch all those fish. He made breakfast for them. Their friend and Savior was alive! 334 Let's Learn More about Jesus Lesson 2

335 Prayer Time Suggestion Thank Jesus for dying on the cross to pay the price for our sins. Review Questions For this lesson, have Emily Gopher ask the children the review questions. Make it more fun by having Emily give the children high-fives for answering the questions. 1. Whom did the disciples have to say goodbye to? (Jesus) 2. Why did they say goodbye to Jesus? (Jesus had died on the cross.) 3. What did Jesus friends decide to do? (Go fishing) 4. Whom did the disciples see standing on the beach? (Jesus) 5. What did Jesus make for the disciples? (He made breakfast for them.) Snack Time Beach Snack Crackers Spread cake icing tinted blue on one graham cracker. Let the children add Goldfish crackers onto the iced graham cracker. Serve with milk or blue beach juice. Discussion Suggestion: Remind the children that when the disciples were feeling sad they went fishing. At first they didn t catch any fish, but then Jesus told them to throw their net on the right side of the boat. Then the disciples net was full of fish just like their graham cracker is full of fish. Tell the children that the disciples weren t sad anymore because they knew their friend Jesus was alive. Let's Learn More about Jesus Lesson 2 335

336 Beach Walk Snack Tell the children to pretend that the class is walking on the beach, and these are the things they may find! In a large bowl let the children help you mix together the following: pretzels (driftwood), fish-shaped crackers, chocolate chips (beach pebbles), chow mein noodles (seaweed), and cereal (life preservers). Serve with blue beach juice. Discussion Suggestion: Remind the children that after fishing all night and not catching anything, the disciples saw Jesus standing on the beach. After Jesus helped them catch a net full of fish, He fixed them something to eat. It wasn t the beach walk snack they helped make, but fish and bread. Tell the children that the disciples weren t sad anymore because they knew their friend Jesus was alive. Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (Let's Learn More about Jesus Lesson 2) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. Why did Jesus die on the cross? (To pay the price for our sin) 2. Did Jesus stay dead? (No, He rose again on the third day) 3. Why were the disciples happy and excited? (Because their friend and Savior Jesus was alive) Prayer Time Thank Jesus that He loves us so much that He died on the cross to pay the price for our sins. Suggested sentence prayer Dear Jesus, Thank you for dying on the cross for me. Thank you that you rose from the dead and are alive today! 336 Let's Learn More about Jesus Lesson 2

337 Scripture Memory Time Verse: John 3:16 Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. God loves us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to the world. Jesus died on the cross for our sins. But He didn t stay dead; He came back to life on the third day. After He came back to life, He appeared to His disciples. The disciples did not feel sad anymore. They knew their friend Jesus was alive! Say the verse including the reference aloud several times. Then ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Beach Blanket Review If the children brought their own beach towels let them use them for this activity. If not, give the children the towels you brought. If the towels are large enough, the children can easily share them. Tell the children different directions, using their towels, to practice the memory verse. For example, Sit on your towel and say the verse. Stand on one leg on your towel and say the verse. Put the towel on your head and say the verse. Repeat with different directions as time allows. Game Time Musical Fish Have the children stand in a circle. Give one of the children the plastic toy fish. Tell them when the music starts they need to pass the fish around the circle. When the music stops, whoever is holding the fish is caught and must go sit in the net. Play until only one child is left. It s always helpful to have a small piece of candy or sticker to give the children when they leave the game. Learning Link: Remind the children that when the disciples were feeling sad they went fishing. At first they didn t catch any fish, but then Jesus told them to throw their net on the right side of the boat. Then the disciples net was full of fish. Tell the children that the disciples weren t sad anymore, not because they caught a lot of fish, but because they knew their friend Jesus was alive. Let's Learn More about Jesus Lesson 2 337

338 Go Fish Get a wooden dowel about eighteen or twenty inches long. Tie a string on it. At the end of the string attach a small magnet. Make several fish using the pattern from the Games Ideas Appendix. Add a paperclip to each fish. Have the children fish with the fishing pole. For a variation of the game, write review questions on the fish and see if the children can answer the questions they catch. More Fun Fish Activities Catch that Fish Fill several water balloons up with water. With a marker, draw a simple fish face and scales on the balloon. Have two leaders hold the net. If a net is not available, use a large plastic tablecloth or a sheet. Let the children take turns tossing the fish into the net. See who can get the most fish in the net. Repeat as time allows. This is a great game to play outdoors! Stuffed Fish Craft For each child you will need one brown paper lunch bag and a piece of string. You will also need newspapers, markers, and googly eyes. Let each child color their paper bag. Then have them stuff their bag with the newspaper. Help the children tie the string around the open end of the bag to make a tail. Help them add the googly eyes to their fish. Tell the children to place their fish somewhere at home to remind them of today s Bible lesson. Learning Link: Remind the children that when the disciples were feeling sad they went fishing. They didn t fish with poles like were used in the game. They used nets. And at first they didn t catch any fish, but then Jesus told them to throw their net on the right side of the boat. Then the disciples net was full of fish. Tell the children that the disciples weren t sad anymore, not because they caught a lot of fish, but because they knew their friend Jesus was alive. 338 Let's Learn More about Jesus Lesson 2

339 Helping Is Important Scripture Passage: Matthew 20:20-28 Lesson Objective and Application The children will learn that James and John s mother wanted them to be important, so she asked Jesus to let her sons sit by Him in Heaven. The children will begin to understand that Jesus said that to be important you must first help others. At the conclusion of this lesson, the children will name someone they can help in the coming week. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible Three empty chairs A paper crown Scripture Memory Bible Game Time BASIC GAME One paper towel tube for each child or two toilet paper tubes per child Markers Stickers Stapler, hole punch, yarn ADVANCED GAME Helper Binocular Craft Prearranged helping tasks that the children can do at church Bible Lesson Introduction Boys and girls, who can tell me what binoculars are? Allow time for responses. Binoculars are a special kind of glasses that you look through. They make the things you are looking at bigger and easier to see. I thought it would be fun to Let's Learn to Help Others Lesson 1 339

340 start off today by playing a game with binoculars. Since I don t have a pair of real binoculars for each of you, I thought we could make pretend binoculars with our hands to play the game. Show children how to form each hand into a circle and place their hands over their eyes like they are looking through a pair of binoculars. Can you put on your pretend binoculars and look around with me? For each pretend situation, have the children look through their pretend binoculars. We are going to use our binoculars to look for ways that we can be helpers. Put on your pretend binoculars and look around with me. Oh no, I see Mom walking up to the door. Her hands are full of shopping bags. How can we help? Allow children to respond. Yes, we can help by opening the door for Mom. Put on your pretend binoculars and look around with me. Oh no, I see trash on the floor. How can we help? Allow the children to respond. Yes, we can help by putting the trash in the trash can. Put on your pretend binoculars and look around with me. Oh no, I see that little sister can t reach a toy on the shelf. How can we help? Allow children to respond. Yes, we can help by getting the toy for little sister. Put on your pretend binoculars and look around with me. Oh no, I see a friend who fell down on the sidewalk. How can we help? Allow children to respond. Yes, we can help by telling a grownup that our friend needs help. Wow, it sounds like you know lots of ways to help others. Do you think it is important to help others? Allow children to respond. Did you know that God thinks it is important for us to help other people? I am going to open my Bible, God s Word, to Matthew chapter 20. Let s ask God to help us understand what we read. Thank God for giving us His Word, the Bible. Ask God to help each one be a good listener and learn more about Him. Lesson Put three chairs in front of the class. I am looking for a helper. Use your pretend binoculars to look around at the children. Choose one child to sit in front of the class in the middle chair. We are going to pretend that you are the king. Place a crown on the helper s head. Do you think a king is important? Allow children to respond. Yes, a king is very important. A king is usually the most important person in a country. Sometimes a king will have people who help him. The king might ask these very special helpers to sit on each side of him. I am looking for some important helpers for the king. Use your pretend binoculars to look around at the children. Choose a child to sit on each side of the king. Now because these helpers sat next to the king, everyone would know that they are the king s helpers. Everyone would know that these helpers were very important people. Thank your helpers and send them back to their seats. The Bible tells us that when Jesus was here on earth He chose twelve men to be His special helpers. These twelve men were called Jesus disciples. Two of Jesus disciples were brothers. Their names were James and John. One day their mother came to see Jesus. She got down on her knees in front of Jesus and told Him she wanted to ask Him for a favor. Jesus said, What do you want? Listen as I read Matthew 20:21 to see what she wanted Jesus to do. Read Matthew 20:21. James and John s mother asked Jesus if her two sons could be His very special helpers. She wanted Jesus to let her sons sit on each 340 Let's Learn to Help Others Lesson 1

341 side of Him in Heaven. Point to the three chairs used earlier. She knew Jesus would sit in the middle chair, but she wanted her boys sitting on the other two chairs. She wanted Jesus to make her sons important. Jesus told her that He wasn t the one to decide who would sit by Him in Heaven. Jesus said that was His Father s decision. Now Jesus other disciples heard James and John s mother talking to Jesus. I am going to read Matthew 20:24 so we can find out how this made them feel. Read Matthew 20:24. The other ten disciples were angry at James and John. They probably thought they also deserved to sit by Jesus in Heaven. They wanted to be important, too. Finally Jesus called them together. Listen to what He said to them. Read Matthew 20: Jesus told the disciples if they wanted to be important, they must first help others. Jesus told them that they should be like Him. Jesus didn t come to earth so people would help Him. He had come to the earth to help people. He came to die on the cross to pay the price for our sin. Jesus knew that if His disciples wanted to be important, they must first want to help others. Application Let s put on your pretend binoculars and look around with me. Boys and girls, do you see yourself in the binoculars? No, you see your friends! You see all the other people around you! And that s who God wants you to see, other people. He not only wants you to see them, He wants you to see the ways you might be able to help them. Can you think of someone you can help this week? Allow children to respond. Those are great ideas. You can help your parents get dinner ready by setting the table. You can help your teacher by cleaning up the classroom. You can help a friend by showing them how to play a game. There are lots of people you can help in the week ahead. Let s ask God to help us be good helpers this week. Prayer Time Suggestion Thank Jesus for coming to the earth to show us how to help others. Review Questions Before each question, put on your pretend binoculars and say, I m looking for someone who can help me answer this question. Let's Learn to Help Others Lesson 1 341

342 1. Who came to see Jesus and asked Him for a favor? (James and John s mother) 2. What did the woman ask Jesus? (If her two sons could sit on each side of Him in Heaven) 3. Why did she want her sons to sit beside Jesus? (She wanted them to be important or special.) 4. How did the other disciples feel about James and John s mother asking Jesus for this favor? (They were angry.) 5. What did Jesus tell His disciples they must do first if they wanted to be important? (They must help other people.) Snack Time Mama's Muffins Serve homemade or prepackaged muffins and milk. To go along with today s helping theme, have the children help pass out napkins, cups, and the muffins. After snack time is finished, encourage the children to help clean up by throwing away the trash, wiping the tables, and sweeping up crumbs. Discussion Suggestion: Ask the children if they think James and John s mom ever made them muffins like these. Remind the children that James and John s mother wanted Jesus to make her sons important. Review with them how Jesus told the disciples that if they wanted to be important they must first help others. Tell the children how much you appreciate the ways they helped you at snack time. Encourage them to think of someone they can help in the week ahead. Mama s Munch and Crunch In a large bowl, mix fish shaped crackers, small chocolate candy pieces, circle shaped cereal, and raisins. Serve mixture in small bowls along with juice. To go along with today s helping theme, have the children help pass out napkins, bowls, and cups. After snack time is finished, encourage the children to help clean up by throwing away the trash, wiping the tables, and sweeping up crumbs. 342 Let's Learn to Help Others Lesson 1

343 Discussion Suggestion: Ask the children if they think James and John s mom ever made them munch and crunch snack mix. Remind the children that James and John s mother wanted Jesus to make her sons important. Review with them how Jesus told the disciples that if they wanted to be important they must first help others. Tell the children how much you appreciate the ways they helped you at snack time. Encourage them to think of someone they can help in the week ahead. Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (Let's Learn to Help Others Lesson 1) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. Whom did Jesus tell His disciples they should be like? (Him) 2. Why did Jesus come to earth? (To help people; to die on the cross to pay the price for our sin) 3. What does God want you to do? (To help other people) 4. Name someone you can try and help in the week ahead. (Answers will vary) Prayer Time Thank Jesus for coming to earth to help us. Thank Him for dying on the cross to pay the price for our sin. Suggested sentence prayer Dear Jesus, help me to help in the week ahead. Scripture Memory Time Verse: Matthew 20:28a Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. Jesus is the Son of Man. He told His disciples that He did not come to earth so people would serve and help Him. He came to earth to serve and help people. Say the verse aloud several times including the reference. Then ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Let's Learn to Help Others Lesson 1 343

344 Activity Binoculars Look Around Put on your pretend binoculars and look around at the group of children. Say, I m looking around for someone to say, the memory verse with me today! Then call out the name of one of the children. Say the verse with the child that was chosen. Repeat as time allows. To keep it interesting and fun, call out the names of several children at the same time. Game Time Helper Binocular Craft If using paper towel tubes, cut each tube in half. Let the children decorate the tubes with markers and stickers. When the children are finished decorating their binoculars, have leaders staple the two tubes together. If you would like, hole punch the tubes and add yarn or string so children can wear them around their necks. Learning Link: Tell the children that at the beginning of Gopher Buddies today they used pretend binoculars to look for people who needed help. Now they have made their very own binoculars! Encourage them to use their binoculars at home to look for people who need help in the coming week. Remind them that Jesus told His disciples that if they wanted to be important they must first help other people. Helping Hunt Adventure Use the binoculars that the children made and let them go on a helping hunt adventure. You may make arrangements beforehand with the church staff to see if there are any small jobs that the children could do to help the staff. Possible suggestions: clean nursery toys and tabletops with disinfect wipes, sweep sidewalks and pick up trash outside, place items in church mailboxes, empty wastebaskets, etc. Learning Link: Tell the children that at the beginning of Gopher Buddies today they used pretend binoculars to look for people who needed help. Now they have made their very own binoculars and used them to look for people who needed help at church. Tell them you are proud of them for helping the pastor, nursery workers, custodian, and secretary. (Adjust to fit who the children actually helped.) 344 Let's Learn to Help Others Lesson 1

345 Ananias and Barnabas Help Saul Scripture Passage: Acts 9:1-31 Lesson Objective and Application The children will learn how Ananias and Barnabas helped Saul after he became a believer. At the conclusion of this lesson, the children will name one way they can help someone in the week ahead. Supply List Bible Lesson Bible Lesson Visuals #1-4 Flashlight Scripture Memory Bible Game Time BASIC GAME Two large plastic laundry baskets Tape to mark a designated return line ADVANCED GAME Two balloons Two brooms, child sized brooms would be the best Tape to mark a designated return line Bible Lesson Introduction Boys and girls I have a picture I want to show you. Show Lesson Visual #1. The boy in this picture is Sam. Sam is thinking about what he should do. You see, Sam s cousin, Ty, has come over to play with Sam today. But Ty has not been playing nicely. First, Ty threw a block at Sam. Then Ty took a truck away from Sam while he was still playing with it. But now, after being mean to Sam, Ty wants Sam to help him build a fort. Sam knows that God wants us to Let's Learn to Help Others Lesson 2 345

346 help others. And that is what Sam is thinking about. He is trying to decide if he should help Ty build the fort after Ty was so mean to him. What do you think, should Sam help his cousin? Allow children to respond. The Bible tells us about a man named Saul. Saul had been mean and unkind to people who believed in Jesus. But then something happened and Saul needed the followers of Jesus to help him. I am going to open my Bible to the book of Acts chapter 9 so we can find out what happened to Saul and how the believers helped him. But first let s talk to God. Thank God for each boy and girl who came to Gopher Buddies today. Ask God to help each one be a good listener so they can learn more about Him. Lesson The Bible tells us in Acts chapter 9 that there was a man named Saul. Now Saul was not a real nice guy. You see, Saul disliked the people who followed Jesus. Saul disliked them so much that he would put them in prison. Show Lesson Visual #2. Saul did not understand that Jesus was God s Son. He did not understand that Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for our sins. He did not understand that Jesus rose from the dead on the third day. Saul did not follow Jesus, and he did not like the people who did. Because of this the believers were very afraid of Saul. One day Saul was on a trip. He was traveling to the city of Damascus. He was going there so he could arrest the believers and put them in prison. But all of a sudden, something very big happened to Saul. Listen as I read Acts 9:3-6 to see what happened. Read Acts 9:3-6. Show Lesson Visual #3. The Bible says that a light from Heaven flashed around Saul. Saul fell to the ground and then heard a voice speaking to him. Jesus was talking to Saul! Jesus told Saul to go into the city. However, Saul needed help to get there. Listen to see why Saul needed help. Read Acts 9:8-9. Boys and girls, why did Saul need help? Allow time for responses. He needed help because he was blind! The men who were with him led him by the hand to Damascus. Now Saul needed more help. But would the believers want to help him after he had been so mean to them? Saul was blind for three days. He didn t eat or drink anything, but he prayed. There was a man named Ananias who lived in Damascus. He believed in Jesus. Jesus told Ananias that He wanted him to go and help Saul. This is how Jesus wanted Ananias to help Saul. He told Ananias to go and place his hands on Saul so he would be able to see again. And even though Ananias had heard all the terrible things Saul had done to the followers of Jesus, he obeyed and went to the house where Saul was staying. And this is what happened next. Read Acts 9: Ananias helped Saul. He placed his hands on Saul and Saul was able to see again. Ananias helped Saul understand what had happened to him on his way to Damascus. Ananias helped Saul understand that Jesus was the Son of God. Now Saul believed in Jesus and wanted to follow Him, too! Read Acts 9:20. Saul began preaching and telling other people that Jesus was God s Son. 346 Let's Learn to Help Others Lesson 2

347 After Saul had been in Damascus several days, some of the people made a plan to kill him. These people did not like Saul saying that Jesus was God s Son. Saul needed someone to help him. He needed someone to sneak him out of the city. Let s find out if he was able to get away. Read Acts 9:25. He was able to get away. Some of his friends helped him escape by lowering him in a basket through an opening in the city wall. After Saul escaped from Damascus, he went to the city of Jerusalem. When he arrived in Jerusalem he tried to meet together with the people who believed in Jesus. But the believers were not sure if Saul had really changed. They were scared that Saul would still want to put them into prison. Once again Saul needed someone to help him. Show Lesson Visual #4. A man named Barnabas helped Saul. Barnabas took him to the believers and told them everything that had happened to Saul. Read Acts 9:27. Barnabas convinced the believers in Jerusalem that Saul had really changed. Because of Barnabas help, Saul was able to stay with the believers in Jerusalem and tell others about Jesus. Application On his way to Damascus, Saul saw a light from Heaven and heard Jesus speaking to him, and his life was never the same again! Saul went from being mean to the people who believed in Jesus to suddenly needing them to help him. And the believers did help him, didn t they? Ananias was the first one who helped Saul. He placed his hands on him so he was able to see again. Some other followers of Jesus helped Saul by lowering him in a basket over the city wall. They helped him escape from Damascus and the people who wanted to kill him. Barnabas helped Saul by taking him to the believers and telling them all about the things that had happened to him. Barnabas helped Saul so the people in Jerusalem really believed Saul had changed. Last time we were together you thought about different people whom you could try to help. This week I want you to not only think about someone you can help, but also to think of one way you can actually help them. Can you think of one way you could help your mom or dad? Allow time for responses. Can you think of one way you could help one of your friends? Allow time for responses. Can you think of a way you could help your babysitter or teacher at school? Allow time for responses. Those are all great ideas! Let s stop and pray and ask God to help us find ways to help others. Prayer Time Suggestion Ask God to help us be good helpers this week. Let's Learn to Help Others Lesson 2 347

348 Review Questions Remind the children that a light from Heaven flashed around Saul when he was on his way to Damascus, and he heard Jesus talking to him. Tell the children that when they know the answer to the question to raise their hand, but they must not say the answer until you shine the light (flashlight) on them. Repeat for each question. 1. What was the name of the man who disliked and was mean to the people who followed Jesus? (Saul) 2. What did Jesus tell Ananias He wanted him to do? (To go and help Saul) 3. How did Saul get away from Damascus and the people who wanted to kill him? (Some of his friends helped him escape by lowering him in a basket through an opening in the city wall.) 4. Why were the believers in Jerusalem scared of Saul? (They were afraid he hadn t really changed. They were scared he still might put them in prison.) 5. How did Barnabas help Saul? (He took Saul to the believers and told them everything that had happened to Saul. He told them Saul had really changed.) Snack Time Ananias Apple Bites Serve children apple slices and a spoonful of yogurt to dip them in. Discussion Suggestion: Remind the children that Ananias helped Saul when he was blind. Ananias placed his hands on Saul so he was able to see again. He helped Saul understand what had happened on his way to Damascus. After Saul was able to see again, the Bible says he ate some food. Ask the children if they think Saul might have had an apple snack like theirs. Encourage the children to think of one way they can help someone just as Ananias helped Saul. 348 Let's Learn to Help Others Lesson 2

349 Barnabas Bagel Bites Serve the children bagel chips and a spoonful of ranch dressing dip or cheese dip. Discussion Suggestion: Remind the children that Barnabas helped Saul when he took him to the believers in Jerusalem and told them everything that had happened to Saul. He told them Saul had really changed. Because of Barnabas help, Saul was able to stay with the believers in Jerusalem. Ask the children what kind of food they think Saul and the believers ate when they were together. Encourage the children to think of one way they can help someone just as Barnabas helped Saul. Discipleship Time Use Activity Sheet (Let's Learn to Help Others Lesson 2) Questions for Further Discussion: 1. Who did Saul need to help him? (The followers of Jesus) 2. How did Ananias help Saul? (He placed his hands on him so he was able to see again. He helped Saul understand what had happened on his way to Damascus.) 3. How did Saul s friends in Damascus help him get away from the people who wanted to kill him? (They lowered him in a basket through an opening in the city wall.) 4. Name one special way you can help someone in the week ahead. (Answers will vary) Prayer Time Ask God to help each boy and girl look for ways they can help others. Suggested sentence prayer Dear God, I want to help help them by. in the coming week. Help me to Let's Learn to Help Others Lesson 2 349

350 Scripture Memory Time Verse: Matthew 20:28a Scripture Explanation: Read the verse aloud from the Bible in the version that the children will be learning. Jesus is the Son of Man. He told His disciples that He did not come to earth so people would serve and help Him. He came to earth to serve and help people. Ananias, Saul s friends in Damascus, and Barnabas all followed Jesus example when they helped Saul. Say the verse aloud several times including the reference. Then ask the children to repeat it with you a few more times. Activity Partner Pair-Up Have children spread out in the room. Have them tiptoe around the room. When you call out Partner Pair-Up, have them find a partner and link arms. Then have each pair take a turn saying the memory verse together. Repeat as time allows. Encourage them to find a different partner for each round. Game Time Basket Battle Dash Divide the children into two teams. Have the children line up in their teams two-by-two, so each child has a partner. Have one child sit down in the laundry basket and have their partner push them down to the designated line. Once they are at the line, have the children switch places and then return to their team. Continue playing until everyone has had a turn. The team who finishes first is the winner. Learning Link: Review with the children how Saul s friends in Damascus helped him get away from the people who wanted to kill him by lowering him in a basket through an opening in the city wall. Ask the children what they think the basket the friends used looked like. Do they think it looked like the laundry baskets they used to push their friends in? Encourage the children to think of one way they can help someone just as Saul s friends in Damascus helped him. 350 Let's Learn to Help Others Lesson 2

351 Barnabas Balloon Sweep Divide the children into two teams. Give the first player on each team a broom and a balloon. At your signal, they push the balloon along the floor, using the broom, to the designated return line and back. Repeat with each player. The team who finishes first is the winner. Learning Link: Remind the children that Barnabas helped Saul when he took him to the believers in Jerusalem and told them everything that had happened to Saul. Point out to the children that they helped their team by pushing the balloon when it was their turn. Encourage them to think of other ways they can help their friends and family in the week ahead. Let's Learn to Help Others Lesson 2 351

352 352 Let's Learn to Help Others Lesson 2

353 Lesson Adaptations How to meet the needs of each special and unique child The lessons in this Bible Study are designed to reach a broad range of children effectively. However, there are things to consider when preparing the learning environment and the lessons themselves. You may have special circumstances or children with special needs attending your club. The following information provides a few basic guidelines for you to consider when confronted with situations such as these. Classroom Atmosphere Your classroom should be a bright welcoming place for children. Use your creativity in displaying the Gopher family and other club materials. You may want to divide your classroom into three areas: a carpeted area for Bible Lesson time, a work area with appropriate sized chairs and tables, and a Game Time area. The safety and well-being of the children is another major consideration in your planning. Train your leaders in how to handle minor as well as emergency situations. Make sure you have some way to communicate with church personnel and parents in the event of an emergency. Classroom Suggestions Even the most experienced leader needs to prayerfully depend on God to give them the kind of love Jesus demonstrated that made little children want to come and listen to Him. (Matthew 19:13-14) Children will respond much better in an atmosphere in which the leader is calmly in control, and they understand the expectations. Here are a few classroom strategies that may enhance your learning environment. 1. Explain, demonstrate, and practice the behavior you expect from the children. Do this at the first meeting and review as needed. 2. Make your directions simple and clear. 3. Each child needs their own personal space. Use individual carpet squares for each child or tape X s on the floor to show where the children should sit. 4. Have the children sit upright on the carpet area with crossed legs (unless the child has a physical disability). The cue criss-cross applesauce is helpful as a reminder of how you want them to sit. 5. Use positive peer pressure. Say, I like the way Nick is sitting and waiting quietly for the lesson. 6. Here are some attention getting suggestions: a. In a soft tone say If you can hear me, touch your nose (ear, foot ). Continue until you have the attention of all the children in the class. b. Clap your hands in a rhythmic pattern. Children will try to mimic you. c. Begin singing a familiar song. Lesson Adaptations A-1

354 What if you have a special needs child in your class? A special needs child is one who needs help in acquiring or processing information. While some children with disabilities need help acquiring information, they may be able to process information without assistance; whereas other children with similar or different disabilities may need consistent help throughout the learning process. To be most effective in dealing with the needs of a special needs child, a home visit with the parents is recommended. This will accomplish two things. You will see how the child interacts and responds to their parents, and the parents can share what works and what doesn t work with their child. The following list is not intended to be all inclusive or comprehensive in regards to all disabilities. It may be necessary to seek out Christian resources which address special needs specifically. What if the child has: ADD-ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorders) Make directions simple and clear. Have the child repeat your directions. Work with the child at their level; maintain eye contact. Work with the child individually or in a small group. Give reminders of expected behaviors before a situation (how to listen at story time; no running to the work tables). Be consistent. If necessary, communicate to the parents after each club time with a note. The Home Connection page is an ideal way to do this. Be honest, kind and positive. Use short commands instead of asking questions. Say, Sit here. not Wouldn t you like to sit here? Learning Disability Break learning into small steps. Have the child repeat your directions. Encourage the child to participate in all activities even if they are unable to complete the activities. Allow the child to assist the teacher with props during lesson time. Physical Disability (Visual, Auditory or Motor) Examine the classroom for possible mobility problems. Have large size crayons, pencils, and pencil grips available. Have an assistant who is familiar with the special requirements for the child. Be aware of seating in regards to children with visual or auditory needs. A-2 Lesson Adaptations

355 Speech Impediment Watch the child s lips to help you understand what they are saying. Ask the child to stop, think, and then go on if they get stuck or lose their thought. Encourage the child to say words and sentences not just point or make a noise. Remember, as a teacher your main focus should always be to find and encourage every child s strengths and learning styles regardless of whether they have a disability or not. Lesson Adaptations A-3

356 A-4 Lesson Adaptations

357 Puppet Helps Puppetry is a great way to communicate with children of all ages. Even adults enjoy the antics of puppets when the puppetry is done well. The information that follows will help you in using your Gopher puppets. Whether you are an experienced puppeteer or picking up a puppet for the very first time please take a few moments to read these guidelines. 1. Puppet Care It is very important to take proper care of your puppets. With a little care, they will last a long time and provide you with the tools to do a quality performance. You may want to pre-treat your puppet with fabric protector before use. These are professionally made puppets and as such should not be played with. Store your puppets in a clean, dry place. A storage container would be ideal but remember to allow them to dry out after you use them. Putting them away when they are still wet with perspiration from your hand can cause mold to form inside the puppet and will result in permanent damage. Your puppets can be cleaned with upholstery cleaner when they become soiled. It is a good idea to retreat them with fabric protector after cleaning. 2. Proper Technique Entrances and Exits Typically, you will operate your puppet while on your knees. To enter your puppet, begin bobbing it up and down pivoting at your shoulder. As you do this, move the puppet to stage level. This will give the effect that the puppet is entering up a flight of stairs. To exit, turn the puppet around and begin bobbing, as you appear to descend down the staircase. Mouth Action The Gopher puppets do not have mouths that open and close. To give the illusion that the puppets are talking, you will need to move the puppet s head slightly forward as you speak. Be careful not overdo this motion or you will distract from your message. You do not need to move the head with every syllable to give the illusion of speaking. If several puppeteers are working together, your motion for talking should be similar. Be sure to keep your puppet still while other puppets are speaking so that attention will be drawn to the speaking puppet. Eye Contact It is very important to maintain good eye contact during your performance. When your puppet is speaking to the audience, have it look at the audience. When in dialog with another puppet, turn your puppet slightly toward that puppet. Never turn your puppet s back to the audience unless you are exiting the stage. Puppet Helps A-5

358 Posture and Performance Height Try to maintain good posture with your puppet. Make an effort for them to look natural in the way they stand and in position to each other. Be careful not to allow your puppet to shrink from sight or to rise high enough for your arm to show below the puppet. Attempt to keep the puppet at a uniform height throughout the performance. This will come with practice. As your arm muscles develop you will be able to perform longer. Practice your puppetry in front of a mirror so that you will be able to see what the audience will see when your puppet is on stage. Gestures and Movements Simple gestures and movements can communicate emotion. Never allow your puppet to stare into space for a period of time. Hiding the eyes or shaking slightly can show fear. A sudden turn can show surprise. Don t overdo your movements as it can take away from the message of your story. Practice gestures and movements to help your puppets come alive. Practice and Preparation Like anything else, good puppetry takes practice. Do not wait until five minutes before the lesson to begin looking for the stage and puppets. Prepare ahead of time. Review the lesson and be familiar with the dialog. This will allow you to focus on a quality performance with your puppet. Be prepared and bring glory to God through the use of your Gopher puppets. 3. Stage Ideas Your church may have a puppet stage available for your Gopher Buddies club to use. If you do not have a stage, one can easily be made from a variety of different materials. Your choice will vary depending on the space available and the set-up of your classroom. Some suggestions are: Use a tension rod and a curtain in a doorway of your classroom. This is a very inexpensive and easy way to make a stage. It can also be adjusted according to the height of your puppeteer. It is best to use a heavier curtain that is not easily seen through. Adjust the rod to the correct width for the doorway and store it and the curtain folded in an easily accessible place. If your classroom has a Dutch doorway, than you have a ready-made option for a puppet stage. Just close the bottom portion of the door and leave the top portion open! Cover a low table with an opaque sheet or tablecloth and add a presentation board (similar to those used in science fairs, etc.) to the table. This makes a fun stage that is stored easily when not in use. You might enjoy allowing the children to decorate the presentation board by writing their names on it or with pictures and stickers. Presentation boards are readily available at most office or teaching supply stores for a nominal cost. Appliance boxes make good, inexpensive puppet stages as well. Cut one side away from the box and then make a window for the stage on the corresponding side. Again, the box can be fun for the children in your club to decorate. A-6 Puppet Helps

359 4. Puppeteers Who should your puppeteer(s) for your Gopher Buddies club be? There are many different options. Perhaps someone from your regular leadership team will enjoy the responsibility. This is also a good way to incorporate some other volunteers into your team. Some possibilities are: Teenagers Does your church encourage young people to be involved in the various ministries of the church? This is a great way to include some teens in ministry. You will want to speak with your pastor or the person in charge of youth at your church for suggestions, as well as communication about whether or not this is feasible during your club time and the structure of your church s ministry plan. Parent or grandparent volunteers Perhaps you have a parent, grandparent, or other adult in the church who would be available and enjoy helping your club in this way. Regardless of who assumes the responsibility for becoming the puppeteer for your club, you will want to make sure that you communicate clearly the dates that their help will be needed. Some groups will want to include Gopher puppets weekly and incorporate the puppets by using them for the review question time. Some groups will use the puppets only when scripted into the lessons. Knowing in advance the times they need to be ready will enable your Gopher puppets to be an exciting and enjoyable part of Gopher Buddies Club that everyone looks forward to. Puppet Helps A-7

360 A-8 Puppet Helps

361 Leading a Child to Christ Leading a child to the Lord can and should be the most exciting and rewarding part of your ministry. However, there are things you must consider when preparing to counsel a child of this age. The following outline will enable you to be successful and avoid some common pitfalls most often encountered when leading a child to Christ. Preparing yourself to lead a child to Christ Have you prayed? Spend time in prayer before the teaching session. Pray that the Holy Spirit will speak to the children. Do you have your Bible ready along with a simple outline that will help you remember the steps? Have you decided in advance which Bible verses to use? Have you practiced counseling with a co-leader? This will be very helpful. Giving the invitation After a message of salvation has been clearly presented, be sure to: Give an opportunity for children to trust Christ Do not manipulate them into making a decision by: Saying things such as, this would please your parents, or me. Giving public praise for the child who makes a decision. Telling them that they will go to hell if they don t make this decision. (A better way to explain this last point to this age group would be that they will be separated from God forever.) Give them a specific time and place when they can come and talk to you or another leader. (Who is also prepared to counsel.) It is usually not a good idea to have younger children raise their hand if they want to receive Christ. It is likely they will raise their hand because you have told them to or because their friend is raising a hand. Counseling for Salvation Pray for the Holy Spirit s guidance as you counsel the child. Select an area that is conducive to counseling. Review the message of salvation simply. Remember, children of this age want to please. They will do what you do and say what you tell them to say. Avoid having the child repeat what you have said, then telling them that they are saved. Instead, use a gentle, unhurried manner. Ask simple questions to determine his readiness. Avoid yes/no questions. Encourage them to talk to you about their need. If you discern that a child is not ready to trust Christ, stop and pray with them and tell them you will always be available to talk with them again. Leading a Child to Christ B-1

362 A Simple Outline for Your Bible Need Would you tell me why you came to talk with me? Why do you need Jesus? What is sin? Who has sinned? (Romans 3:23) Can you think of something you have done that God calls sin? Way Why did God send Jesus to Earth? Who is Jesus? What did Jesus do about your sin? (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) What happened three days after Jesus died and was buried? Receive (Read and let child say after you one promise verse; John 3:16, John 1:12 or Acts 16:31) What does God promise to do for you? What do you want God to do for you now? (If the child is clear on their need, let them pray. You may need to guide the prayer: Tell God about the sin problem between you and Him, what you believe Jesus did because of your sin, what you want Him to do for you today.) If the child is not clear at this point, you may want to suggest that they think about it some more, and that you will always be available to talk with them when they are ready. The child should be clear on two key facts: What God wants the child to do What God will do if he confesses his sin? Assurance and Growth What did God just do for you? How do you know? (Show the same condition/promise verse.) Will God ever leave you? (Hebrews 13:5) God will help you say no to sin. If you do sin, what should you do? (1 John 1:9) Allow the child to say a thank you prayer. B-2 Leading a Child to Christ

363 Snack Ideas When serving fruit for a snack you may wish to pre-treat it using one of the following options: Option 1 Add one to four tablespoons lemon juice to one quart water, mix, then pre-soak sliced apples in this mixture for a short time. Drain. Option 2 Dip fruit into one of these fruit juices: orange, lemon, or pineapple (diluted half strength with water). You may also use one and one half teaspoon salt to one quart water and mix well. Pre-soak fruit slices and then drain and rinse with water. Drain well. Option 3 Purchase product designed to preserve fresh fruit from the supermarket. Easy Snacks Abraham s Traveling Trail Mix Use snack size Ziploc bags and put trail mix (nuts, raisins, mini M&M s or chocolate chips, banana chips etc.) in each one for every child. If time allows, hide the trail mix bags around the room or outside and have children travel around to find their snack bag. Andy s Dipping Snacks Serve pretzels or cracker sticks with cheese for dipping. Animal Crackers Serve prepackaged animal crackers with milk. Ananias Apple Bites Serve children apple slices and a spoonful of yogurt to dip them in. Ants on a log Spread cream cheese on large pretzel rods and top them with raisins. Serve with milk or juice. Balloon Bump Cookies Make or buy circle shaped sugar cookies. Frost one cookie; put in a red shoelace licorice and top with another cookie. Serve with milk. Basket Crackers Serve wheat crackers (with a basket design). Serve with blue juice. Beach Snack Crackers Spread cake icing tinted blue on one graham cracker. Let the children add Goldfish crackers onto the iced graham cracker. Serve with milk or blue beach juice. Snack Ideas C-1

364 Buddy Balloons Provide each child with two circle-shaped sugar cookies. Frost one cookie with icing and put a red shoelace licorice on the cookie. Top with the second cookie to make the balloon. Serve with milk or juice. Bugle Trumpets Serve the children Bugles snacks with juice. Show the children how to bite the end off the Bugles and blow it to make a noise. Build a Wall Use pretzel rods and spreadable cheese and let the kids build walls for their snack. Cracker Snackers Serve graham crackers or club crackers. Before serving the snack, pass out napkins, giving one napkin to every other child. Tell the children they need to fold out their napkin and share it with the person next to them who doesn t have a napkin. Then serve the crackers with juice or milk. Creation Critter Snack Mix Serve a trail mix made of animal crackers, fish crackers, raisins, pretzels, or other items mixed together. Crunch-n-Munch Critter Snack Serve this favorite horsey snack: baby carrots and apple slices. Add some veggie and fruit dip to make it even more fun. Daniel Delights Serve cut up celery, cucumbers, and baby carrots with ranch dip and ice water to drink. Day and Night Cookie Snack Serve the children Oreo cookies and milk. Desert Delights Serve ice pops or frozen fruit bars for snack time this week. Dust Pudding Purchase individual pudding cups or serve pudding to the children in individual cups or bowls. (A small paper cup with plastic spoon will work well.) In advance, crumble up some graham crackers, vanilla wafers, or sandwich cookies. Allow each child to scoop some dust from the bag and sprinkle it on top of their pudding. Serve with milk. Easy Cheesey Cracker Snack Serve Cheez-It Scrabble Junior Crackers. Give each child a serving of crackers on a small plate. Emily Gopher s Favorite Fish Snack Serve fish-shaped crackers and blue juice. Fellowship Fruit Serve fresh fruit slices, grapes, or cut banana sections. C-2 Snack Ideas

365 Filled Pretzel Snack Serve cheese-filled pretzel bites or similar prepackaged snacks. Fish and Loaves Serve fish crackers and rolls or biscuits. Serve with milk. Fish Snack Serve fish-shaped crackers with milk or juice. Fishermen s Feast Serve fish crackers with a blue beverage. Friendly Snacks Choose a prepackaged snack that comes in twos. Be sure to allow the children to sit with the friend they brought. One helper should pass out the snacks and another helper should help the children who brought a guest serve their snack to them first before taking their own. Pair up the children who did not bring a friend and have them serve each other as well. Fruit Snacks Serve fruit snacks or dried fruit rolls. Gelatin Eggs Make gelatin eggs in an egg mold if you have one (generally available in supermarkets during Easter season) or by using an egg-shaped cookie cutter to cut them from a tray of gelatin. Glad Gopher Buddies Goodies The following are some ideas of various fun little snacks that children enjoy: mini graham crackers in various shapes, dried fruit rolls, small bowls of ice cream, gelatin or pudding cups, pizza snacks, or other snacks that you know the children in your club like. Serve with juice. Gopher Goodies The snack this week should be served in one large bowl. Some good options are a cereal snack mix, popcorn, cheese puffs, etc. Place one scoop or measuring cup in the bowl. Give each child their own bowl or napkin. Gopherville Bible Snack Give each child two graham crackers, a small bowl with a spoonful of canned frosting, and a small craft stick. Show the children how to spread the frosting on the crackers with the craft stick and put the crackers together to make a book. Serve with milk. Happy Face Snacks Serve round snack crackers with happy faces made from canned cheese spray. Heart Snacks Serve snacks that are heart-shaped. A heart cookie cutter will easily transform many things into the correct shape. Some options are heart-shaped cheese slices, heart-shaped sandwiches, or heart-shaped gelatin. Serve with milk. Snack Ideas C-3

366 Hugs and Kisses Give each child a Hershey s Hug and Kiss candy. Tell them they must give their candy to another child and wait for someone to give them candy. When everyone has shared their candy, have the children eat their snack. Serve with milk. Joseph s Snack Serve dry cereal as a snack with milk to drink. Mama s Muffins Serve homemade or prepackaged muffins and milk. To go along with today s helping theme, have the children help pass out napkins, cups, and the muffins. After snack time is finished, encourage the children to help clean up by throwing away the trash, wiping the tables, and sweeping up crumbs. Mini Trees Serve raw broccoli and cauliflower pieces with a dip such as ranch dressing. Serve with water or juice. Nativity Cookies Serve sugar cookies in the shapes of the nativity figures such as sheep, angels, or stars (with the use of cookie cutters). Serve with milk. Nighttime Nibbles Serve the snack of your choice (box of crackers, bag of pretzels, box of fruit snacks anything simple and not easily crumbled) with milk, juice, or water. Eat your snack in a darkened room. Dim the lights if possible, or leave the door ajar to utilize light from the hallway. You might also use a few flashlights to provide enough light to see and to insure none of the children are frightened. Pebble Pillow Donut Holes Serve donut holes and milk for snacks. Piggy Slop Give each child a clear cup filled with chocolate pudding and a spoon. Place bowls of sprinkles, M&M s, raisins, and chopped bananas in the center of the table. Let the children mix their favorite things in their own pudding. Then let them enjoy their own cup of piggy slop. Prayer Reminder Serve small pretzel sticks or round cookies with stripes. Serve with milk. Rainbow Refreshments Serve rainbow vanilla wafer cookies or fruit flavored O shaped cereal. Serve with milk. Samuel Cookies Purchase gingerbread or sugar cookies at a grocery store or a bakery and serve with milk. You may choose to have the children decorate the cookies with purchased tube frosting or icing. Spy Snacks Give each child a package of fruit snacks. Don t forget the purple juice. For more fun during snack time, hide the fruit snacks around the room before class. At snack time, have the children look and try to spy out their snack. When everyone has found a package of fruit snacks, let snack time begin. C-4 Snack Ideas

367 Traveling Treats Serve the children grapes, bread, crackers, and cheese. Wheat Crackers Serve some type of wheat cracker with cheese spread or cheese slices, and juice. Wooly Sheep Munch and Crunch Bring popcorn to class for the kids to munch. Don t forget the juice! Optional Idea: To go along with the lost theme, put popcorn into individual bags for the children. Hide the bags before class, and tell the children at snack time that you have lost their snacks. Tell them they need to be like the shepherd, and go looking for the lost snacks. More Difficult Snacks Abraham s Traveling Tent Snack Give each child two graham crackers. Show them how to stand the graham crackers up in a tent shape. Then spread some canned frosting on the ends of each cracker and have them stand up their tent shaped crackers on a paper plate. Serve with milk. Angel Food Dream Dessert Serve each child a slice of angel food cake. Have chocolate syrup, strawberries and whipped cream toppings available for children to put on their dream dessert. Aquatic Gelatin Make enough blue gelatin for your group size. Pour the gelatin into small, clear plastic cups. Add a few gummy fish to each cup and refrigerate till hardened. Baa, Baa Cupcakes Decorate cupcakes with frosting and top with mini marshmallows to look like sheep. Serve with milk or juice. Balloon Bump Cakes Give each child a rice cake and a small cup filled with frosting. Give the children craft sticks to use as spreaders. Have the children decorate their rice cake with frosting. Use string licorice as the balloon string. For even more fun, let the children add sprinkles to their balloon. Barnabas Bagel Bites Serve the children bagel chips and a spoonful of ranch dressing dip or cheese dip. Beach Walk Snack Tell the children to pretend that the class is walking on the beach, and these are the things they may find! In a large bowl let the children help you mix together the following: pretzels (driftwood), fishshaped crackers, chocolate chips (beach pebbles), chow mein noodles (seaweed), and cereal (life preservers). Serve with blue beach juice. Snack Ideas C-5

368 Birthday Cake Serve a birthday cake for Jesus. Don t forget the candles! Let children sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. Serve with milk. Celery Trees Cut celery ribs into desired lengths. Slice one end of each celery stick in narrow lengthwise strips, approximately one-fourth to one-third of a stick. Place celery in ice water and refrigerate for an hour or two. The top of the celery will curl down and look like tree branches. Serve with peanut butter or cream cheese to spread on the trees. (It is important to make sure that no children in your classroom have peanut allergies before serving peanut butter at snack time.) Cereal Squares 1/4 cup regular margarine 10-oz. pkg. regular marshmallows (about 40) 6 cups crispy rice cereal Measure margarine into a 2 or 3 quart saucepan; melt over low heat. Add marshmallows and heat stirring constantly until marshmallows are melted and mixture is very syrupy. Remove from heat. Add crispy rice cereal. Stir until cereal is well coated. Spread warm mixture in buttered 13" 9" 2" pan. Using wax paper or buttered spatula, press mixture firmly into an even layer. Cut into squares when cool. Yield: 24 two-inch squares. Serve with milk. Cheesey Cracker Scrabble Mix Mix Cheez-It Scrabble Junior Crackers with pretzel sticks and M&M s in a large bowl. Give each child a serving of cracker mix on a small plate. Chocolate Surprise 20 milk chocolate kisses ¼ cup margarine or butter 2 packages of refrigerated biscuits ½ cup sugar ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease Bundt pan. Unwrap chocolate kisses. Melt margarine or butter. Separate and flatten each biscuit into a 3-inch circle. Place a chocolate kiss in the center of each biscuit. Wrap the biscuit around the chocolate, forming a ball. Pinch the ends to seal firmly. Mix sugar and cinnamon together in a bowl. Dip each dough ball in margarine and then roll in cinnamon-sugar mixture. Layer the balls in the greased Bundt pan. Make sure to place the second layer of dough balls on top and between the balls of dough in the first layer. Bake for 20 minutes or until the bubble ring is golden. Remove from oven and cool approximately one minute. Turn pan upside down onto plate and remove the pan. Cool for about ten minutes. Serve with milk. Cracker Fishing On a small paper plate give each child a spoonful of a spreadable cheese dip, several pretzel sticks, and fish-shaped crackers. Now tell them they can start fishing. Show them how to dip one end of the pretzel stick into the cheese and then catch a fish-shaped cracker with the cheesey end of the stick. C-6 Snack Ideas

369 Cupcake Surprise Make cupcakes or muffins. Fill the muffin cup halfway and then add jelly or other appropriate filling. Add more of the cupcake or muffin mix on top and bake as directed. Frost or top according to the recipe. Daniel Dip Sticks Serve cut up celery, cucumbers, baby carrots, and cherry tomatoes. Give the children round toothpicks to spear the vegetables and then dip them in ranch dressing. Serve with ice water. Dessert Coolers 1 package (3 ounces) gelatin, your choice of flavor 1 envelope unsweetened drink mix, same flavor as gelatin 1 cup sugar 2 cups boiling water 2 cups cold water In a bowl, dissolve the gelatin, drink mix, and sugar in boiling water. Stir in cold water. Pour into molds or paper cups; insert craft sticks. Freeze until firm. Makes servings. Emily s Chicken Nuggets and Dipping Sauce Serve chicken nuggets and sauce for dipping. Emily s Edibles Prepare in advance plates of cookies or graham crackers. Have small containers of frosting and sprinkles. Have plastic knives or craft sticks for children to use as spreaders. Allow children to take their own snack from the plate and spread frosting and sprinkles on it. Serve with milk. Fish Sticks and Bread Serve baked fish sticks and refrigerated biscuits or any other kind of bread or roll. (Please make sure there are no children with fish allergies before serving this snack in the classroom.) Serve with ranch dressing and/or tartar sauce or other dipping sauces and milk. Friendly Crunches You will need fish-shaped crackers, small chocolate candy pieces, circle-shaped cereal, raisins, and whatever else you may want to mix together. At snack time, let each child pour a small amount of the above ingredients into a large bowl. Mix together well and serve in small bowls or cups. Frosted Crackers Give each child an unbroken section of graham cracker or club cracker and a plastic knife or spreading tool. Place small cups of frosting or cheese spread between each group of two children. Allow the children to spread their crackers with the topping provided. Place another section of cracker on top and help the children to cut or break the crackers apart. They should then give a portion of their cracker to the child on their right. Snack Ideas C-7

370 Fruit Bright Bites Set out apples cut into wedges along with several flavors of gelatin (the sugar kind) powder mix. Have children dip an apple wedge into one of the gelatin powders, covering all sides of the apple. Let the apple sit for several seconds. The apple will turn a bright color. Then eat the apple wedge. Have paper towels ready; this snack is fun but messy. Suggested gelatin flavors to use: orange, rasberry, lime, and blueberry. Helpful Hint: Gala and Cortland apples do not turn brown as quickly when sliced. Gideon Grub In the middle of the table, place one bowl of Bugles snacks, one bowl of M&M s candy, one bowl of gold fish shaped crackers, and one large bowl to mix everything together. Have on hand a small scoop or measuring cup. Tell the children that you want them to help make today s snack. Tell them they will need to follow the directions you give them. Then let the children take turns putting the different things into the bowl as you give each one a specific direction. Example: Put two scoops of fish crackers in the bowl. After all the children have had a turn carefully mix the ingredients together. Glad Gopher Buddies Cookies Make some chocolate chip or other homemade cookies. Serve with milk. Gobbling Grapes Serve grapes and a small cup of yogurt to dip them in. Don t forget the purple juice. Gopher Buddies Snack Pack Pack simple snacks of your choosing in small boxes or other containers for the children to enjoy this week. You might want to bring them in a large picnic basket. Put a napkin and snack into each container. Gopher Buddy Bible Snack Before class, spread white frosting between two graham crackers. Put the crackers together to look like a book. Use a tube of icing to write the word Bible on the front of the crackers. Serve with milk. Happy and Sad Face Snacks Start with a round food like rice cakes, English muffins or Ritz Crackers. (This will be the head.) Using small plastic knives or craft sticks, have children spread peanut butter or cream cheese on the head. Then give the children small candies raisins, chocolate chips to make a happy face and a sad face. (Before serving peanut butter, make sure there are no children with peanut allergies in your classroom.) Horsey Chew and Chomp Before class mix the following favorite horsey treats in a large bowl: mini shredded wheat (hay bales), Cheerios (oats), dried apples (apples), candy corn (corn). Licorice Chains Before class make a chain for each child using pull-apart licorice or fruit roll-ups. Locust Cakes Serve the children rolls or biscuits with butter and honey. Have jam available for those children who may not like honey. Serve with milk. C-8 Snack Ideas

371 Mama s Munch and Crunch In a large bowl, mix fish shaped crackers, small chocolate candy pieces, circle shaped cereal, and raisins. Serve mixture in small bowls along with juice. To go along with today s helping theme, have the children help pass out napkins, bowls, and cups. After snack time is finished, encourage the children to help clean up by throwing away the trash, wiping the tables, and sweeping up crumbs. Mother Gopher s Creation Cupcakes Make cupcakes and frost with blue icing. Put several fish-shaped crackers on top of the icing. Serve with milk. Oatmeal Cookies 1 cup butter or margarine 3/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed 3/4 cup granulated sugar 2 eggs 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1-1/4 cups flour 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. baking soda 3 cups oatmeal In a large bowl, mix butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla until light and fluffy. Sift together dry ingredients. Add sifted dry ingredients to creamed mixture. Fold in oatmeal. Mix well. Drop from a teaspoon onto greased baking sheets. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 6 8 minutes. Variation: Add one 7-ounce package of chocolate chips or raisins. Serve with milk. Painted Toast Purchase small paint brushes. Wash and dry them thoroughly. In small, spill-proof plastic containers, mix three tablespoons milk and a few drops food coloring. You may add a little sugar if desired. Use a different container for each color. (Two brushes per container work well. The children will end up mixing the colors, but that s okay.) You may want to have the children put on paint smocks (men s old cotton shirts or t-shirts work well). If desired, use cookie cutters to cut shapes out of bread before toasting. Toast bread, at least two slices per child. Allow children to paint the bread with the colored milk. The painted toast can also be spread with margarine and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. Pink Pig-Sicles Mix together two cups of plain yogurt, a twelve ounce can of unsweetened frozen apple-cranberry juice concentrate, and two teaspoons of vanilla. Pour the mixture into small paper cups and insert plastic spoons for handles. Chill in the freezer until set. (Makes 8-10 treats) Pizza Surprise Bake a round cake or roll out sugar cookie dough onto a round pizza pan and bake. Use red food coloring to frost the cake or cookie. Add shavings of white chocolate to look like mozzarella cheese. Top with pretend pepperoni cut from a red dried fruit roll. Bring out the snack and show it to the children. Serve with milk. Snack Ideas C-9

372 Pretzel Stick Churches Serve pretzel sticks on paper plates. Have children arrange sticks in the shape of a church building. Pretzel Stick People Pretzel sticks Marshmallows Gum drops Cheese cubes Meat cubes Use any combination of the suggested ingredients above to let the children make a stick person to munch on during snack time this week. Serve with milk or juice. Pricey Snacks Serve chocolate coins or graham crackers or cookie bars decorated to look like coins or dollar bills. Puppy Pet Food 9 c crispy rice cereal squares ½ c peanut butter 1 c semi sweet chocolate chips 1 ½ c powdered sugar Melt chocolate in microwave or saucepan. Add peanut butter and mix until smooth. Add cereal and stir until coated. Pour powdered sugar into a large re-sealable bag or container. Shake until coated. Serve with milk. Resurrection Snack Give each child one half of a chocolate donut, standing it on its cut ends. Tell the children this reminds us of the tomb. Then give each child a donut hole and have them place it in front of the cut donut. Tell the children this reminds us of the stone in front of the tomb. Before eating their snack, ask the children to show you what happened to the stone on the first Easter morning. Samuel s Midnight Snack Use a cookie cutter to cut shapes from sliced bread and top with cheese or other toppings. Add the toppings yourself or allow the children to do so by themselves. Sharing Sandwiches Before class make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Wrap sandwiches individually in plastic wrap. Also have paper plates, napkins, and cups. Select some of the children to pass out the sandwiches, others to set out paper plates, napkins, and cups. Serve sandwiches with milk or juice. After the children are finished eating, have them put their plates and napkins into the trash and help to clean up the table. Note: If you have children in your group with peanut allergies you may wish to substitute cream cheese for peanut butter in this snack. C-10 Snack Ideas

373 Snack in a Basket Crescent rolls, enough for approximately double your normal group size Hot dogs, same amount as crescent rolls Cheese slices, same amount as crescent rolls and hot dogs Roll out crescent roll dough, lay cheese slice on top, put hot dog on top of cheese slice and roll crescent roll dough up. Place on baking sheet and bake according to directions for crescent rolls. Serve in baskets. Serve with a blue drink. Helpful Hint: These may be cut into several pieces to accommodate a larger group. Sun, Moon, and Star Sugar Cookies Serve sugar cookies shaped like a round, yellow sun; round, white moon; and yellow star. If you prefer not to serve cookies, use a cookie cutter to cut these shapes from other things such as bread, gelatin, cheese, bologna, pancakes, etc. Wordless Snack This snack can be made with fruits or vegetables. Fruit: Yellow apple, pineapple, banana Black small chocolate chips Red strawberries, cherries, apple White mini marshmallows Green green grapes, sliced in half to prevent choking Vegetable: Yellow pepper Black black olive Red pepper, tomato White cauliflower Green cucumber, broccoli, green pepper Prepare a small dish or cup of the various color fruits or vegetables for each child. You may also wish to serve with yogurt or ranch dressing for dipping. Yummy Cookie Wall Provide the children with cookies and canned frosting spread to build their own wall. Go ahead and let the children add some sprinkles for even more fun. Snack Ideas C-11

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375 Balloon Toss Scripture Memory Review Games Toss a balloon into the air as high as you can. Have the children attempt to say the memory verse and reference before the balloon hits the floor. Repeat as time allows. Beach Blanket Review If the children brought their own beach towels let them use them for this activity. If not, give the children the towels you brought. If the towels are large enough, the children can easily share them. Tell the children different directions, using their towels, to practice the memory verse. For example, Sit on your towel and say the verse. Stand on one leg on your towel and say the verse. Put the towel on your head and say the verse. Repeat with different directions as time allows. Binoculars Look Around Put on your pretend binoculars and look around at the group of children. Say, I m looking around for someone to say, the memory verse with me today! Then call out the name of one of the children. Say the verse with the child that was chosen. Repeat as time allows. To keep it interesting and fun, call out the names of several children at the same time. Bouncing Ball Have the children form a circle. Tell the children that you are going to call out someone s name and bounce the ball to them. They are to catch the ball and then call out someone s name and gently bounce the ball to them. These two children then stand in the middle of the circle and say the memory verse. Be sure to help them if necessary. When they have finished reciting the verse, they should return to their places in the circle. The leader should again bounce the ball to another child and that child to another. Then those children will go to the middle of the circle and say the memory verse. Continue to play until all children have had a turn. Build the Verse Have the same number of building blocks as there are words in the Bible verse in the version that the children are learning. Have a block for the reference, too. Pass out the blocks to the children, one block per child. Then as a group say the verse. As each word of the verse is said, have a child place one block on the table to make a wall. Repeat the activity until each child has had a turn to help build the wall. Copy Cat Ask the children if they have ever copied someone or echoed them. Explain to the children that if you copy or echo what someone says you repeat back to them exactly what they said. Try a trial run. Say, If I say ice cream, you say (allow children to say ice cream back to you). Now split the verse into manageable sections. You will say the section first, point to the children, and have them repeat the section back to you. Continue as time allows or until you feel the children have a good understanding of the verse. Then as a group, without copying, say the verse a final time. Scripture Memory Review Games D-1

376 Crazy Stand Ups Have the children sit on the floor facing you. Ask the children to stand up and say the verse and reference. Each time, vary the stipulations for standing (For example: all those with blue eyes, everyone who is wearing green, everyone who has a sister, everyone who has no siblings). Repeat until all the children have had a turn or as time allows. Find the Treasure Place different colors of construction paper on the floor in a circle. Use one sheet of paper per child. The children will walk around the outside of the paper circle as you play music. When the music stops, the children will stand by the paper closest to them. Call out one of the colors. The children standing by that color will say the verse and reference. Repeat until all the children have had a turn or as time allows. Follow Me Have the children stand facing you. Begin each round of the activity by saying, Boys and girls, follow me. It s as easy as A-B-C. Then lead the children in saying the Bible verse including the reference while doing one of the following actions: standing on one leg, hopping up and down, marching in place, etc. Allow the children to take turns being the leader. Repeat until each child has had a turn being leader or as time allows. Follow the Footsteps (Graphic) Make copies of the set of footprints found in the Scripture Memory Games Appendix of the Bible Study. There should be one footprint per word and also a footprint for the reference. Place the footprints on the floor, spaced far enough apart so that the children can easily step on them as they walk across them. Have the children form a line. One at a time, the children will step on the footprints as they repeat the words. Follow the Leader Have children line up behind you. Tell them they will practice the memory verse by playing Follow the Leader and you are the leader. Begin by marching around the room. At short intervals, stop and turn around to the children and say, Say the verse!. Then lead the children in repeating the memory verse. Continue playing and doing different motions for the children to follow. Freeze Verse Have the children stand in an open area. Tell them when the music begins to play they should begin moving around. As soon as the music stops, they should freeze no moving allowed. Lead the children in saying the memory verse together to unfreeze them. After the verse is said, continue playing as time allows. D-2 Scripture Memory Review Games

377 Helping Bridges This activity is a version of London Bridges. Two leaders will stand and form the bridge with their arms. Have the leaders begin singing the song to the tune of London Bridges. We help Jesus, yes we do, Yes we do, yes we do. We help Jesus, yes we do, We ll help you. After the children form a line, they will begin walking under the bridge. Periodically, have the leaders capture a child by bringing down their arms. Once a child is captured, have all the children repeat the verse including the reference. Continue playing until each child has had a turn to be captured in the bridge. Hidden Scripture Write the verse the children are learning on the puzzle pattern found in the appendix. Cut the puzzle along the lines. Have the children close their eyes while you hide the puzzle pieces. Choose a few children to look for the puzzle pieces. Have the children put the pieces together to complete the verse. A leader should help them if necessary. Once the verse is complete, have all the children repeat the verse. Have the children who just searched hide the pieces, while the other children cover their eyes. Repeat as time allows. Light and Dark, Loud and Soft After practicing the Bible verse, remind the children that God created the heavens and the earth; light and dark; all growing things; and the sun, moon and stars. Tell the children you want them to pretend that the light in your room is the sun. When you turn the light on, it is daytime and they can be loud. They need to shout the Bible verse when it is daytime. However, when you turn the light off, it is nighttime and they need to be quiet. Tell them you want them to whisper the Bible verse when the light is off. Repeat as time allows. Note: If your room will be too dark with the light off, bring a flashlight or lamp to leave on during the activity. Lock em Up and Let em Go Play this version on London Bridges to help the children learn the memory verse. Have two children pretend to be jailors and stand facing each other, holding hands with their arms raised high. Line the rest of the children up and have them walk underneath the arms of the jailors. As the children walk, have them repeat the verse including the reference. When the children say the reference, have the jailors bring down their arms and pretend to lock up the child who is between their arms. That child can then take the place of one of the jailors. Repeat until all the children have had a turn being a jailor or as time allows. Scripture Memory Review Games D-3

378 Match the Number Have an index card numbered either 1 or 2 for each child. Place the index cards face down on the floor in an open area. As you say the verse and reference aloud, have the children walk around the cards. When you are finished saying the verse, have the children stop and pick up the card closest to them. Have all the children holding a 1 say the verse and reference together. Then have all the children holding a 2 say the verse and reference together. Repeat the game as time allows. A variation of this game would be to play music while the children are walking around and when the music stops they pick up a card. Memory Cube Have the children stand in a circle. A leader should toss the cube into the center of the circle. When the cube lands, have all the children recite the verse, including the reference (in the version you are using) in the same position as the picture shows. (Bible person who tossed the cube acts out reading the verse from a Bible while reciting the verse; Question mark person who tossed the cube chooses how the group says the verse; Hand on head entire group pats their head as they say the verse; Hand on knees entire group pats their knees while they say the verse; Leg in air entire group says the verse while standing on one leg; Clapping hands entire group claps their hands in rhythm as they say the verse.) Choose a child to toss the cube next. Keep tossing the cube and reciting the verse until each child has had a turn or as time allows. For a variation of the game, have the child who tosses the cube say the verse alone. Monkeys in the Middle Have the children hold hands and form a circle around the leader (first monkey in the middle). The children should walk around in a circle while the leader closes their eyes, turns around, and points. At the same time, the children should be reciting the verse. When the verse is recited, the children should stop and the leader stops. The child whom the leader is pointing at is the next monkey in the middle. Musical Colors Place different colors of construction paper on the floor in a circle. Use one sheet of paper per child. Have the children walk around the outside of the paper circle as you play music. When the music stops, the children should stand by the paper closest to them. Call out one of the colors. All the children standing by that color should say the verse and reference. Repeat until all the children have had a turn or as time allows. A variation of this game is to repeat the verse as the children walk around the circle. When you stop, they should stand on the closest color. Musical Zoo Have the children sit or stand in a circle. When you start the music, have the children pass one of the animals used in the Bible lesson introduction around the circle. After a brief time, stop the music. Have the children say the verse as a group. Repeat as time allows. Variation: While the children pass the animal around the circle, you say the Bible verse. The child holding the animal, when you are done saying the verse, receives a small prize (sticker, candy, Gopher Buddies hand stamp). Be sure all the children receive a prize. Children who haven t held the animal can be given a prize for playing nicely. D-4 Scripture Memory Review Games

379 Name the Picture Show the children Lesson Visual #3 from the Bible lesson. Ask the children to raise their hands to name something specific in the picture. After a child answers, have them (or the entire group) repeat the verse including reference. Repeat until each child has a chance to respond or as time allows. Number Pickup Have an index card for each child. Half the cards should have a number 1 written on them; the other half should have a number 2 on them. Spread the index cards face down on the floor in an open area. As you say the verse and reference aloud, have the children walk around the cards. When you are finished saying the verse, shout out, Number Pickup. The children should then stop and pick up the card closest to them. Have all the children holding a 1 card say the verse and reference together. Then have all the children holding a 2 card say the verse and reference together. Repeat the game as time allows. A variation of this game would be to play music while the children are walking around, and when the music stops they pick up a card. Another variation, choose just one child at a time from the 1s or 2s to say the verse. Partner Pair-Up Have children spread out in the room. Have them tiptoe around the room. When you call out Partner Pair-Up, have them find a partner and link arms. Then have each pair take a turn saying the memory verse together. Repeat as time allows. Encourage them to find a different partner for each round. Pass the Ornament Have the children sit in a circle. Hand one child a small, unbreakable Christmas ornament. Have the children say the verse including the reference. As the children say each word of the verse, have them pass the ornament to the child on their right. Repeat as time allows. For a variation of the game, have the children say the verse quickly or very slowly as they pass the ornament. Pop Up Have the children sit in a circle with you. Tell them that you are going to pretend to be popcorn popping. They are special popcorn and only pop on certain words. The first time you say the verse everyone is going to pop on the word hear. The second time you say the verse, have everyone pop on the words hear and Word. Continue adding words as time allows. Rise and Shine Arrange the children on the floor. Have them pretend to sleep like Samuel was asleep in the Bible lesson. Tell the children that when you call their name and say, Rise and shine, they should stand up and say the memory verse with you. After they say the verse, they should go back to sleep. Continue to awaken groups of children until each child has had a turn. Repeat as time allows. Scripture Memory Review Games D-5

380 Say It Like the Spies Tell the children to listen carefully to your directions, so they know how to say the memory verse. Start off saying, Say it like the spies and close your eyes. All the children should then say the verse with their eyes closed. Then say, Say it like the spies and jump up and down. Children repeat the verse jumping up and down. Continue as time allows. Other suggestions: Say it like the spies and...turn around; clap your hands; hop on one foot; put your hands on your head. Say it Sad, Say it Glad Tell the children that when you hold up the picture of Hannah crying, you want them to say the verse like they are feeling sad. Tell them that when you hold up the picture of Hannah with her baby, you want them to say the verse like they are very happy. Practice saying the verse with the children using a sad voice and expression and then saying it like they are happy. Share the Toy Have the children sit in a circle. Hand one child one of the toys that was used for the Bible lesson. Have each child say one word of the verse then pass the toy to the child on their right. Repeat as time allows. For a variation of the game, have the children say the verse quickly or very slowly as they pass the toy around the circle. Simon Says Say Your Bible Verse Have the children stand up and spread out to give themselves room to play this version of Simon Says. Tell the children the rules of Simon Says. Every three or four instructions say Simon Says Say Your Bible Verse. All the children should repeat the Bible verse. Continue to play as time allows. Variation: Play Simon Says as usual with one change: when a child is out, they may say the Bible verse to get back in the game. Stop and Go (Graphic) Make one copy of the Stop and Go signs found in the Scripture Memory Games appendix of the Bible Study. Hold up the Stop and Go signs. Tell the children when you hold up the Go sign they should begin saying the Bible verse. When you hold up the Stop sign, they should stop saying the verse until you hold up the Go sign again. Repeat as time allows. Trumpets and Torches (Graphic) Divide the children into two groups. Tell one group they are the trumpets, and show them the trumpet picture. Tell the second group they are the torches, and show them the torch picture. Tell the children that when you hold up their group s picture, that group will say the memory verse all together. Start out the activity slowly as you raise the two different pictures. Then hold up the pictures faster. End the activity by holding up both pictures and having all the children say the verse together. D-6 Scripture Memory Review Games

381 Upset the Fruit Basket (Graphic) After practicing the verse, have the children sit in a circle of chairs. Give each child a paper fruit. Tell the children you are going to call out the names of the different fruit they are holding. When you call the name of their fruit, all the children holding that fruit should get up and change places with each other. The children who stay sitting should recite the verse while the others are changing places. If you say Upset the Fruit Basket, everyone is to get up and change places. Wake up Jacob! Have the children put their heads down, close their eyes, and pretend to be asleep. No peeking! Then move around the room. Tap two or three children on the head and say, Wake up Jacob. Those children should then stand up and repeat the verse together. Repeat the activity until everyone has had a turn to practice the verse. The last time, tap all the children on the head and have them say the verse together. Wiggle Worm Workout Lead the children in saying the verse using the following actions. Touch their heads and say the reference, John 20:31b. Touch their shoulders and say Jesus is the Christ. Touch their knees and say the Son, and then touch their toes and say of God. Start slowly and speed up each time you recite the verse. Scripture Memory Review Games D-7

382 D-8 Scripture Memory Review Games

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391 Scripture Memory Review Games E-17

392 Game Ideas Easy Games ABC Suitcase Have the children sit in a circle. Place the suitcase with the alphabet letters inside in the middle of the circle. Have children take turns going up and choosing a letter from the suitcase. Have them tell what they should pack for a pretend trip that begins with that letter. Allow the children to have fun and be silly as they think of words that begin with that letter. For example, A-alligator, B-bubbles. Andy Gopher s Balloon Pass Game Divide the children into two teams and have them stand in a straight line. Place a basket of balloons by the first person in the line and an empty basket by the last person. At your signal to start, have the first person in line grab a balloon and pass it to the child beside them. The children should continue passing the balloons down their line. The last person in the line should put the balloon in the basket. Continue playing until the teams have passed all the balloons down the line. Animal Charades Attach the animal stickers or pictures to the index cards and place them into the box, basket, or bag. The children should be seated on the floor. One at a time, choose a child to come to the front of the room and take a card from the bag. The child should then act out the animal they have chosen with sounds and/or actions. Other children should raise their hands to guess the animal. Help shy or more timid children in acting out the animal. Vary the activity by having a leader draw a card and allow the group to act out the animal together. Repeat until all the children have had a turn or as time allows. Apple Hunt Have the children go to another room with a helper while you hide the apples. Have the children return to the room to look and find one apple. After everyone has found an apple, have the children think of something they like to do at church. Then have the children take turns completing the sentence, I m happy when it s time to go to church because. If possible, let the children take home their apples as a reminder of today s lesson. Basket Battle Dash Divide the children into two teams. Have the children line up in their teams two-by-two, so each child has a partner. Have one child sit down in the laundry basket and have their partner push them down to the designated line. Once they are at the line, have the children switch places and then return to their team. Continue playing until everyone has had a turn. The team who finishes first is the winner. Bible Bookmark Craft This week s lesson offers an excellent opportunity to make a simple craft, a Bible bookmark. Provide children with a 7-inch by 2-inch piece of cardstock or construction paper. Have markers and stickers available for children to decorate their bookmark. If time allows, write the Bible verse on bookmarks. Use a hole punch to make a hole at the top of the bookmark. Have children loop yarn or ribbon through the hole to complete their project. E-18 Game Ideas

393 Bread, Bread, Fish Game Have the children sit down in a circle facing each other. Choose one child to be it and have them walk around the outside of the circle. As they walk around, they tap each child s head and say whether the child is bread or a fish. Once someone is chosen as the fish, that child gets up and tries to chase it around the circle. The goal is to tag that person before they are able to sit down in the fish s place. Play continues with the previous fish becoming the new it. Repeat until everyone has had a turn to be it. This game is similar to Duck, Duck, Goose. Buddy Balloons Provide each child with two circle-shaped sugar cookies. Frost one cookie with icing and put a red shoelace licorice on the cookie. Top with the second cookie to make the balloon. Serve with milk or juice. Bugs In the Bucket Mark a starting line on the floor with tape, and place a bucket of plastic bugs by the line. In front of the starting point, place five small buckets in a vertical line with spaces between each bucket. Line the children up behind the tape. The first child in line will choose a bug and try to toss it into the first bucket. Give each child five tries, taking a bug from the bucket each time and tossing it toward the next bucket. When the child is done, they should return to the end of the line. Encourage the children to cheer each other on and see how many bugs they can get into the buckets. Repeat until all the children have had a chance to play. Carrot, Carrot, Corn Have children sit in a circle on the floor to play this version of Duck, Duck, Goose. Choose one child to be It. Have the child walk around the outside of the circle and tap the heads of the other players and say whether they are a carrot or corn. Once someone is chosen as the corn, they get up and try to chase it around the circle. The goal is to tag the person who is it before they are able to sit down in the empty spot. Continue playing until everyone has had a chance to be the corn. Cotton Ball Sheep Search Have a helper hide the cotton balls in another room away from the children or outside if weather permits. Hide enough cotton balls so that each child can find several. It may be easier just to hide a certain number and then tell the children how many they are each to try and find. Give each child a bag. Tell them that they need to search for the lost cotton ball sheep and when they find them to put them in their bag. After a sufficient amount of time, have the children come back together and count the cotton ball sheep that are in their bags. Fill the Bucket Brigade Divide the class into two equal teams. Have each team stand in a line between their two buckets...one empty bucket and one full of water. Give each child a paper cup. Tell the children that you want them to empty the full bucket into the empty one by pouring water from one cup into the next, all the way down the line. The last child then pours their water into the empty bucket. Find the Money Choose one child to leave the room while you hide a piece of play money in plain sight. Then have the child come back into the room and begin to look for the hidden money. As the child searches for the money, have the rest of the children give them clues by saying warm if they are getting close or cold if they are getting further away. When the child finds the money, they should choose the next child to leave the room while the money is hidden again. Continue to play until each child has had a turn to search for the money or as time allows. If your group is larger, you will want to divide the children up and have them play the game as teams instead. Game Ideas E-19

394 Fishy Concentration Affix fish stickers to half the index cards or construction paper. Place the cards or sheets of paper face down on the floor. Allow each child to choose two cards or papers to turn over. They should try to find two fish pictures. Continue until all the matches have been made or each child has taken a turn. Repeat as time allows. Vary the game for younger players by leaving the chosen cards face up. Friendly Musical Chairs Arrange chairs in a circle in the center of the room. You will need one fewer chair than you have children. Use a CD player to play music as the children walk around the chairs. Stop the music after they have circled around a few times. When the music stops, the children should all sit down in a chair. One child will not have a chair. That child must find someone who will share their chair with them. Continue playing, taking one chair out each round. More children will need to share their chairs each time. Play until only one chair remains or as time allows. Fruit Basket Relay Mark a starting line and finish line on the floor with tape. Divide the children into two teams. Line them up in two lines, spreading out between the start and finish lines. Put a basket at the finish line. Have the children pass various fruits along the line in different ways (overhand, underhand, under leg, gentle toss, etc.). The child at the end of the line should put the fruit into the basket. Continue until each team s fruit is all in the basket. Repeat as time allows. Move the children around so each has the chance to put the fruit into the basket, if possible. Fruit Pass Have the children stand in a circle. Hand an apple or orange to one of the children. The children should begin passing the fruit around the circle as soon as you begin to play music. Stop the music at regular intervals. The child holding the fruit when the music stops should name their favorite fruit to eat. Repeat until all the children have had a turn to name their favorite fruit. Giggling Gophers Have one child leave the room with a helper. Hide Andy Gopher s sheriff s badge somewhere in the room. Have the child return and begin looking for the badge. Have the other children give the child help in finding the badge by giggling/laughing loudly when the child is close to the badge and giggling/laughing softly when the child is far away from the badge. Continue playing until all the children have had a turn to look for the badge. For more fun, have Andy Gopher lead the children in giggling. Gopher Buddies Jump Ups Have the children sit on the floor in a circle. Tell the children that you are going to ask them questions about themselves and it is important for them to tell the truth. Begin by saying, Who has a dog? If you have a dog, jump up! All the children who have a dog should jump up and then sit back down. Continue in the same way asking questions that the children can jump up because it is true about them. To vary the game, tell the children to do various actions like jump up and down two times when they stand up or jump up and turn around. For a fun variation, have Andy Gopher ask the questions. E-20 Game Ideas

395 Gopher Buddy Hop Divide the children into pairs. If there is an odd number of children, recruit a leader to join the game. Children should scatter around the room and begin hopping up and down holding their partner s hands. When you call out, Stop the Hop, the children should stop moving. The children then tell their partner something God created. Play as many rounds as time allows. Variation: Play music while the children hop. Stop the music as a signal for them to stop hopping. Grain Bag Drop Have children form a circle and stand facing each other. Choose one child to be Joseph and have them hold the bag of grain. Joseph should begin walking around the outside of the circle. Have Joseph drop the bag of grain behind one of the other children and then begin running around the circle. The child behind whom the grain bag was dropped must pick it up and start to run after Joseph, trying to catch them. Joseph should try to run completely around the circle and get back to the open space before the child with the grain does. Have Joseph take the open space, and the child with the grain becomes the next Joseph. Continue to play until all the children have had a turn to be Joseph. Guard Chase Have the children make a large circle and clasp hands. One child (the prison guard) should stand inside the circle. Another child (the prisoner, Peter) should stand outside the circle. The object of the game is for the guard to catch the prisoner. The prisoner runs in and out of the circle trying to stay away from the guard, and the guard tries to catch the prisoner. The children raise and lower their arms to aid the prisoner and hinder the guard. The guard is also allowed to go in and out of the circle if they can go over or under the other children s arms. Have the children take turns being the guard and the prisoner. Happy Feet Before beginning the game, ask the children if their feet are happy when it s time to go to church. Tell them you want to see their happy feet move all around during this game. Play music while the children move around the room. At different times stop the music and call out one of the three things they have learned they can do at church. When you call out read the Bible the children should stop moving and place their open hands in front of them like they are reading the Bible. When you call out pray for others they should stop moving and put their hands together like they are praying. When you call out help others they should find a partner and hold hands. Continue playing as time allows. Happy, Happy Birthday Play this Christmastime version of Duck, Duck Goose. Have the children sit in a circle. Select one child to go around the outside of the circle and tap the other children s heads. Each time a head is tapped, have them say, Happy till they choose a child to run after them by saying, Birthday! The selected runner chases the other student until they sit down in the empty space. Heart Toss On a large piece of poster board, draw five large hearts. In each heart write a number one through five. Line the children up and give each one a turn tossing a beanbag to hit the highest number. If weather permits, play this game outdoors. Instead of the poster board, draw the hearts with sidewalk chalk on the driveway or sidewalk. If you have a large group, you may wish to make two or three poster boards with hearts. Game Ideas E-21

396 Helper Binocular Craft If using paper towel tubes, cut each tube in half. Let the children decorate the tubes with markers and stickers. When the children are finished decorating their binoculars, have leaders staple the two tubes together. If you would like, hole punch the tubes and add yarn or string so children can wear them around their necks. Hot Potato Seat the children in a circle. Use a portable CD player to play music while the children pass around a potato or other object of your choosing. Stop the music after a brief interval. When the music stops, the child who is holding the potato or object should give or share the potato with another child. Start the music up again and repeat as before. Continue until the children have all had a chance to share or as time allows. I Spy Choose one child to be It. It chooses an object in the room and whispers what it is in your ear. Then they should say out loud, I spy something with my little eye and the color is (fill in the appropriate color of the object). The other children then start guessing objects that are that color, until someone guesses the correct object. After each guess, It should answer either yes or no. The child who guesses correctly becomes the new It and tells the color of their object by repeating the rhyme. Continue playing as time allows. Joseph s Coat Relay Mark a starting and return line on the floor with tape. Divide the children into two teams and have them line up behind the starting line. Place a man s robe or shirt at the return line. At your signal, have the first child in each line run down to the return line, put the robe or the shirt on, and run back to the starting line, take off the robe, and be seated at the end of the line. Continue playing until all the children have had a turn. The first team to have all their team members seated wins. Jump Over the River Stretch two ropes parallel to each other, approximately six to ten inches apart. This is the river. Have the children line up on one side of the river. Then have them take turns jumping to the other side. Once everyone has jumped across, move the ropes a bit farther apart. Have the children jump over the river again. Continue as time allows, moving the ropes a bit farther apart each time. Listening Game Have the children close their eyes. Tell them when they hear you read something from God s Word, the Bible, they should stand up. When they hear a different noise they should put their hands over their ears. While their eyes are still closed, have them try and guess what the noise is. Alternate between reading one of the Bible verses and making a noise with the objects in the basket. Make sure to hold the Bible up so that when the children open up their eyes they can see that you were reading from it. Moon, Moon, Star Have the children sit in a circle on the floor. In the same way you play Duck, Duck, Goose, you will play Moon, Moon, Star. Choose one child to be It. Have them walk around the outside of the circle. As they walk, have them gently tap the children on the head and say, moon. The child should keep saying moon with each tap until they tap someone and say star. At this point, the child who was tapped should get up and chase the other child around the circle, trying to tag them before the first child takes their seat. Continue playing until each child has had a turn be It. E-22 Game Ideas

397 Musical Chairs You will need one fewer chairs than you have children playing the game. Line the chairs up back to back. Have one leader sit by the CD player to turn it on and off. When the music plays, the children should walk carefully around the chairs until the music stops. When the music stops, they should quickly sit down in a chair. The person left standing without a chair should move to the side to watch. It s a good idea to have a small sticker or piece of candy for the children to eat while they sit out. Remove one chair each time a person leaves the circle. Continue to play until only one child is sitting in the chair. Repeat as time allows. Musical Chariots Make a circle of chairs. Have one chair less than the number of children. Tell the children these are chariot chairs. Have the children form a circle around the chairs. Begin playing the music. The children should move in a line around the chairs. When the music stops, the children should try to sit on a chair closest to them. The child without a chair leaves the game and one chair is removed. Try to have a small prize or treat to give children when they leave the game. Continue playing until only one child remains. Musical Fish Have the children stand in a circle. Give one of the children the plastic toy fish. Tell them when the music starts they need to pass the fish around the circle. When the music stops, whoever is holding the fish is caught and must go sit in the net. Play until only one child is left. It s always helpful to have a small piece of candy or sticker to give the children when they leave the game. Pass the Peanuts Cup Relay Divide the children into two teams. Place a chair opposite each team. Give the first player in each line a cup filled to the top with packing peanuts or cotton balls. The first player then runs/walks to the chair, goes around it, and returns to their team. They then pass the cup to the next player in line. Continue until every player on each team has carried the cup to the chair and back. The person with the cup should not drop any peanuts/cotton balls. If they do, they must stop and put them back in the cup. Share the Secret Seat the children in a circle on the floor. Sit in the circle with them. Tell them you are going to whisper a secret. Choose a child to hear the secret. Select a sentence about something the children have been learning in their lessons (e.g., Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus does not sin.). After you have whispered the secret to the first child, that child will whisper the secret to the next child. Continue around the circle. Tell the children to listen carefully so that they can tell the secret correctly. See if the secret is the same by the time it gets back to you. Repeat as time allows, continuing to review the lesson with the secrets. Sock Toss You will need two laundry baskets and lots of old socks rolled into a ball shape. Divide the children into two teams and have each team make a circle around each of the baskets. Give each child at least one rolled sock. At your signal, the children should begin tossing the sock balls into their team s laundry basket. The team who gets all their socks into the basket first, wins. Game Ideas E-23

398 Stone Drop Make a starting line with tape on the floor. Divide the children into two teams and line them up by teams behind the starting line. Place two buckets or pails across the room. Give each child a ping-pong ball. Tell them to pretend the ping-pong balls are stones. When you say go, the first player in each team will run to the bucket, drop the ping-pong ball (stone) into the bucket, run back, tag the child who is next in line and then sit down. Repeat as time allows, varying the relay each time (run backwards to the bucket, jump, hop, tiptoe, etc.). Sweet Dreams Pillowcase Race Divide the children into equal teams and have them line up on one side of the room. On the opposite side of the room, place a chair opposite each team. Have the first player on each team step into the pillowcase. At your signal, the first player hops in the pillowcase down and around the chair and then back to their team. The next player then gets into the pillowcase and hops to the chair and back. The winning team is the first team that all the players hop to the chair and back. The Great Grape Hunt Have the children sit on the floor and cover their eyes. Hide the purple and green pom-poms around the classroom. At your signal, have the children begin looking for the grapes. Continue playing as time allows. To keep it fun, have children take turns hiding the grapes. If weather permits, take the grape hunt outside. Walking to Jerusalem Have the children line up behind one of the leaders in a single-file line. The leader should then lead the group around the room pretending to walk to Jerusalem. The leader can walk, run, hop, skip, or do any other action that the children can easily copy. As each action is done, the leader goes to the back of the line and the next child becomes the leader. Continue until all the children have had a turn being the leader. Repeat as time allows. What Did I Touch? Before class, get a paper bag and add a variety of items for the children to touch. Suggested items: a small rock, a crayon, a cotton ball, a bean bag, a small sucker, a coin, a dollar bill, a key. Have children take turns putting their hand in the bag to pick one item and touching it while you hold the bag. Then ask them to guess what they think they are touching. After they guess, let them take the item out of the bag to see if they were correct. Place the item back in the bag and continue the game until everyone has had a turn. Where s the Baby? Choose one child to leave the room with a helper. Use a small doll or a picture of a baby and hide it somewhere in the room. Have the child come back to the room and begin looking for the baby. Have the other children give clues by pretending to cry loudly when the child is close to where the baby is hidden and pretending to cry softly when the child is far away from where the baby is. Continue playing until everyone has had a turn to look for the baby. E-24 Game Ideas

399 More Difficult Games A Prayer Paper Chain Craft Provide each child with several different colors of one inch strips of construction paper. Help children write down the names of people they know who they would like to pray for in the week ahead. Have children glue their paper chain together. You may want to reinforce the glue with a stapler. Encourage the children to place their chains somewhere at home to remind them to pray. Baby Obstacle Course Set up an obstacle course either indoors or outside if weather permits. Have children crawl like babies through the course. Suggestions for the course: table to crawl under, chairs or playground cones to crawl around, leaders holding hula hoops upright to crawl through. If playing outdoors, think about a water obstacle for even more summer fun. Balloon Bump First have the kids decorate a large-sized paper plate with markers, crayons, and stickers. Have leaders attach a paint stir stick or unsharpened pencil to the back of the plate with tape, and then attach another plain plate on to the back. This will be the balloon bump paddle. Give each child a balloon. Let them have fun batting and bouncing their balloons. You may also divide the children into pairs and have them bat one balloon back and forth between them. Play some music for even more fun! Barnabas Balloon Sweep Divide the children into two teams. Give the first player on each team a broom and a balloon. At your signal, they push the balloon along the floor, using the broom, to the designated return line and back. Repeat with each player. The team who finishes first is the winner. Beanbag Buddies Mark a starting and return line on the floor with tape. Place a bucket at each return line. Divide children into two teams. Blindfold the first two children on each team and give them a beanbag. The next two children in line will be the blindfolded children s helpers. Have the helpers guide their blindfolded buddies to the bucket and direct them in dropping the beanbag into the bucket. Once this is done, remove the blindfold and have both children return to the start and sit down. The next two children proceed and continue until everyone is sitting down. Repeat the game, switching helpers and blindfolded children the second time through. Game Ideas E-25

400 Catch that Fish Fill several water balloons up with water. With a marker, draw a simple fish face and scales on the balloon. Have two leaders hold the net. If a net is not available, use a large plastic tablecloth or a sheet. Let the children take turns tossing the fish into the net. See who can get the most fish in the net. Repeat as time allows. This is a great game to play outdoors! Chariot Shot Have the children line up in one or several lines, depending on the amount of space you have available and the number of children in the group. Have the children take turns tossing beanbags into a chariot (a box or a bucket). Start with the containers fairly close to the children and move them back a bit further with each round. Repeat as time allows. Clothesline Race You will need various articles of clothing (old shirts, socks, doll clothes, etc.), clothespins, and two ropes (three to four feet long) for clotheslines. Set up chairs at the end of the room and string a clothesline between two chairs (one clothesline for each team). Place equal piles of clothing next to the chairs or in laundry baskets. Divide the children into teams and have them form lines. Have each child run to the clothesline, choose an item from the pile or basket, and hang the item of clothing on the clothesline with a clothespin(s). They should then run back and tag the next child who will repeat the process. Continue until all the children have had a turn or as time allows. Creation Bean Bag Toss Divide the children into two groups. Make two lines on the floor with tape for the children to stand behind when tossing the beanbags. Spread out the two sets of laminated sun, moon, and stars in front of the lines. Give the starting child from each team three or four beanbags. When you say go, they will toss the beanbags, trying to land them on the laminated items. When they have tossed all the beanbags, have them retrieve them and hand them off to the next child in line. Be sure to encourage the children in the groups to cheer for each other. Adjust the number of groups according to the number of children. Repeat as time allows. For variation, have the children call out the name of the shape where their beanbag lands. Doggy, Doggy Where s Your Bone? Have the children sit in a circle. Choose one child to be the doggy. Have them sit in the middle of the circle with the bone by them and have them close their eyes. Point to another child and have them sneak the bone and return to their place without making any noise. They should place the bone behind them. Then have all the children put their hands behind their backs and say, Doggy, doggy where s your bone? Somebody stole it from your home. The doggy then opens their eyes and gets three guesses to find out who has the bone. The child who has the bone is the next doggy. Continue playing until each child has had a turn to be the doggy. Find Baby Moses Choose one child to be the princess and have them leave the room with a leader. Choose another child to hide Baby Moses and give them the doll. After the doll is hidden, have the princess come back and look for Baby Moses. Have the other children give the princess clues as to where the baby is. When the princess is close to the baby have them cry loudly. When the princess is far from the baby have them cry quietly. After the baby is found, choose a new hider and a new princess. E-26 Game Ideas

401 Fishers of Men Take each three-foot long dowel rod and attach a three- to five-foot long string or cord to one end. Attach a magnet to the other end of the string. Set up a fishing pond. Place two tall chairs or easels three or four feet apart. Put a large piece of blue fabric or a sheet over the two chairs. Attach paper clips to several laminated fish and place them on the floor behind the fabric. A leader should be behind the fabric. Try to adjust the pond fabric so the children cannot see behind it. The children, with the help of another leader, should put their fishing line over the fabric. The hidden leader can attach a fish to the line before the child pulls the line up. Repeat until all the children have had an opportunity to fish. For a variation of this game, write review questions on the fish and see if the children can answer the question they catch. Fishing Boat Races Before class, cut the bottom from two cardboard boxes. The boxes should be a good size for a child to step into and walk while holding onto the sides. Divide the children into two teams. If time allows, let the teams decorate their boats. You may also choose to decorate the boats yourself beforehand. Mark starting and return lines on the floor with tape. Have the first child on each team step into their boat and race to the return line and back. Have a leader available to assist the children with getting in and out of their boat. Encourage the children to cheer for each other. Repeat as time allows. Four Corners Game Label four corners in the room with pieces of construction paper or poster board. Tell the children what each label is: home, church, school, and playground. You may wish to put a small picture on the label as well to help the children identify it. Begin playing music and have the children walk around the room. At intervals, stop the music and say, God wants me to tell the truth at (insert one of the four places labeled). The children should then run to that corner. Continue playing, pausing the music, and naming the different places. For more fun, name two or more places at the same time. Continue playing as time allows. Fruit Tree Fun Draw or paint a tree on a large piece of poster board. Cut several pieces of fruit from construction paper. On the back of the fruit, write questions that the children will answer. You may want to use the review questions from this lesson and previous lessons, and questions about rules for Gopher Buddies Club. You will need one piece of fruit per student. Make a few extra for possible visitors. Attach the fruit to the tree using sticky-tack or tape. Choose a child to come to the front and pick a piece of fruit from the tree. Read the question to them and allow them to answer. If a child is unsure of an answer, prompt them as necessary. Continue until all the children have had a turn. If time allows, you may wish to put the fruit back up and play again. Game Time Bible Hunt Tell the children that Andy Gopher needs their help to find his Bible. Have the kids close their eyes and hide a Bible somewhere in the room. Then let the children look for Andy s Bible. The child who finds the Bible can hide the Bible for the next round. To make it more fun, have Andy Gopher give the game directions to the children and cheer them on as they look for his Bible. Take the opportunity when Andy s Bible is found to review with the children how to correctly hold and take care of God s Word. Go Fish Get a wooden dowel about eighteen or twenty inches long. Tie a string on it. At the end of the string attach a small magnet. Make several fish using the pattern from the Games Ideas Appendix. Add a paperclip to each fish. Have the children fish with the fishing pole. For a variation of the game, write review questions on the fish and see if the children can answer the questions they catch. Game Ideas E-27

402 Going to Church Mark six lines on the floor with masking tape at regular intervals. The first line will represent start and the last line will be church. The children will move as a group from the first line to the church line by answering the review questions about the church. Tell the children that for each right answer they will all move to the next line and one step closer to being at church. When the group arrives at the church line have everyone give a cheer because they are happy to be at church. If time allows have children return to the start line and play again. Grain Toss Divide the children into two teams and have each team form a line. Each child should be directly across from another child. The lines should be fairly close together. Start at about one foot apart. Take your double-bagged bag of grain and hand it to the first child in one line. That child should toss the bag to the child across from him. This child then tosses it to the next child in the opposite line. Continue zigzagging the bag on down the line. The children should try to catch the bag, but if a child drops it, just pick it up and continue the game. When the grain comes to the end of the line, have the children all take one step backward and begin again. Repeat as time allows, seeing how far apart the children can move and successfully toss the bag. Grape Toss Divide the children into pairs, with each pair standing facing each other. Give each pair of children one purple water balloon. Have them toss the balloon to each other. After each successful toss, they take one step back. The pair whose tossing distance is the greatest, without dropping the balloon, is the winner. This is a fun summer game to play outdoors with the children. Helping Hunt Adventure Use the binoculars that the children made and let them go on a helping hunt adventure. You may make arrangements beforehand with the church staff to see if there are any small jobs that the children could do to help the staff. Possible suggestions: clean nursery toys and tabletops with disinfect wipes, sweep sidewalks and pick up trash outside, place items in church mailboxes, empty wastebaskets, etc. Hula Hoop Huddles Place two or three hula hoops on the floor around the room. Use more hoops depending on the number in your group. Have the children spread out and begin to move around the room. They should not step into the hoops. Have them continue moving until you blow the whistle and say, Hula hoop huddle. At that time, the children should quickly go and stand inside the nearest hula hoop. The more crowded the hoops, the more fun! Continue playing, varying the movements around the room. Suggested movements are walking on tiptoes, jumping, crawling, and marching. Lettuce Bowl Self-Control Divide children into two teams. Designate a start line with a piece of masking tape. A few feet from the start line place six cardboard tubes in a pyramid shape. Have children on each team take turns going to the start line and rolling the head of lettuce to see how many tubes they can knock down. Each player should get two tries for each turn. Have a helper set the tubes back up at the end of each child s turn. Continue playing until everyone has had a turn. Play again if time allows. E-28 Game Ideas

403 Measuring Grain Divide the children into two teams. Put an equal amount of grain into two different bowls and place them in front of the teams. Put a scoop or measuring cup into each bowl with the grain. Place an empty bowl next to each filled bowl. Signal the children to begin, and have each child take a turn filling the scoop with grain and dumping it into the second bowl. Keep going, one child at a time, until the first bowl is empty. The first team to transfer all their grain to the second bowl wins. Repeat as time allows. A variation for the second time playing would be to have the children count each scoop aloud and find out how many scoops are in their bowl. Musical Shares Arrange chairs in a circle in the center of the room. You will need one fewer chairs than you have children in attendance. Use a portable CD player to play music as the children walk around the chairs. Stop the music after they have circled the chairs a few times. When the music stops, the children should all sit down on a chair. One child will not have a chair. That child must find someone who will share their chair with them. Continue playing, taking one chair out each round. More children will need to share their chairs each time. Play until all the children have had a turn sharing a chair or as time allows. Pillow Musical Chairs Instead of chairs, place pillows in an oval shape, with one less pillow as you have children. When you begin to play the music, have the children walk around the pillows. When the music stops, the children must sit down on a pillow. Whoever doesn t have one is out for that round. Take a pillow away for each round until only two children are left with one pillow. Helpful Hint: Provide a small piece of candy or a sticker for the children when they have to leave the game. Pin the Tail on the Animal Attach the poster board with the picture of the animal to the wall. A low easel or large bulletin board that can be steadied by a leader or leaned against a table or wall will also work well. A poster or premade game is another option to use for this activity. Line the children up and explain the game to them. Have a leader blindfold the first child. Use discretion as to whether to have the child turn around a few times before starting. The child should then try to attach the tail to the animal in the proper place using tape or sticky-tack. When they are finished, remove the blindfold and let them see how they did. Continue the game until all the children have had a turn. Repeat as time allows. Purple Balloon Pass Play this version of Hot Potato with one purple grape balloon. Have the children stand in a circle. When the music begins to play, have them pass the purple grape around the circle. The one holding the balloon when the music stops must leave the circle. Continue playing until one child is left. Game Ideas E-29

404 Purple Grape Balloon Grab Before class, blow up lots of balloons. At game time, scatter the balloons all around the room. Tell the children that they have one minute to grab and hold on to as many as giant purple grapes as they can. The winner is the child who is holding on to the most grapes at the end of the time. Repeat as time allows. Red Light, Green Light Mark a starting line and finish line on the floor. Line the children up facing you behind the starting line. Stand behind the finish line or in an out-of-the-way area where the children can see you. When you say Green Light and hold up the Go sign, the children should walk toward the finish line. When you say Red Light and hold up the Stop sign, the children should stop. Any child who doesn t stop when you hold up the Stop sign goes back to the starting line. The child who crosses the finish line first is the winner. Run for the Stone Use tape to mark two lines on the floor on opposite sides of the room. Divide children into two teams. Have each team stand behind the marked lines facing each other. Place the paper bag stone in the center between the two lines. Call two children s names from opposite teams. After you call their names, have them run out and try to get the stone first and run back to their team line. Continue playing until each child has a turn to run for the stone or as time allows. Sandal Relay Divide the children into two teams. Mark a starting line and a return line on the floor with tape. The first player on each team will put on the clothes and shoes provided, walk to the opposite line, and walk back. They should then remove the clothing. Continue until each player has had an opportunity to play. Provide a helper for each team to assist children as needed. Encourage the children to cheer for others on their team. Searching for Peter Have the children form a circle. Choose one child to stand in the center of the circle pretending to be a guard. The guard should throw a beanbag to anyone in the circle and ask, Have you seen Peter? The child who catches the beanbag answers Yes and then describes another child in one statement. Example: He is wearing a green sweatshirt. The child with the bean bag then passes it to the right. The children try to get it to the child with the green sweatshirt before the guard says his name. If the guard guesses correctly in time, then Peter becomes the guard. Shape Grab Scatter colored shapes cut from poster board on the floor. There should be a variety of colors and shapes including two or three shapes that are crosses. Begin playing the music and have children walk around the room. When the music stops the children should pick up the shape they are closest to. Take turns having the children tell the color and the shape they are holding. When a child holds up a cross, lead the group in saying, Thank you, God, for Jesus. Sleeping Samuel Have the children sit in a circle on the floor. Choose one child to be Samuel. Have them lie down with the pillow and blanket in the middle of the circle. Tell them to close their eyes and pretend to be asleep. Choose another child sitting in the circle and have them call out, Samuel, Samuel. Then have Samuel wake up and go stand by the person who they think called out their name. The player who called out Samuel s name gets to be the next Samuel. Continue playing until all the children have had a chance to be Samuel. E-30 Game Ideas

405 Star Light, Star Bright Before class, make star shapes cut from construction paper or cardstock. A star pattern may be found in the Game Ideas appendix. Make one star for each child in your class. At game time, spread the stars out on the floor of the playing area. When the music begins to play, have children move around the room. When the music stops, have them find a star and stand by it. For each round, vary the movements the children should do. For example: hop, tiptoe, hop on one foot, and stomp. Continue playing as time allows. Variation: Place one less star than children on the floor. When the music stops, the child who is not by a star names one thing God created and then sits down. Remove one star after each round of play. Continue playing until one child remains. Stuffed Fish Craft For each child you will need one brown paper lunch bag and a piece of string. You will also need newspapers, markers, and googly eyes. Let each child color their paper bag. Then have them stuff their bag with the newspaper. Help the children tie the string around the open end of the bag to make a tail. Help them add the googly eyes to their fish. Tell the children to place their fish somewhere at home to remind them of today s Bible lesson. Suitcase Shuffle Divide the children into two teams and have them stand on one side of the room. Place a suitcase for each team with an outfit that each child can easily put on and take off on the other side. When you say Go a child from each team runs to the suitcase and puts on the outfit. They then run back to their team and take off the outfit. The next child puts on the outfit, runs to the suitcase, takes off the outfit, puts in back in the suitcase, and then runs back to their team. Keep playing until each team member has had a chance to put on the outfit. The winners each have a turn and put the outfit back into the suitcase first. Trumpet and Torches Corners Game Place the trumpet and torch pictures in opposite corners of the room. Play the music and have the children move around the room. When the music stops each child runs to one of the corners. Then the leader draws a piece of paper from the basket and calls out either trumpet or torch. All the children in that corner are out of the game. Continue to play until there is only one child left. Wet and Wild Cup Relay This would be a fun game to play outdoors in the good ole summertime. Give each child a small disposable cup. Divide the children into an equal number of teams and have them line up. Place a bucket full of water by each team. Opposite each team place an empty bucket. On your signal, the first player on each team takes their cup, fills it with water from the bucket, runs/walks to their team s empty bucket, pours their cup of water into the bucket, and runs back to their team. The next player in line does the same thing. Continue playing until each player has had a turn. Then, see which team has the most water in the bucket that they ran to. Who Has My Heart? Before class, cut out several hearts using red, pink and purple construction paper. Cut them in half, varying the cut (zig zag, curvy, etc...) Scatter them on the floor and have the children pick out a half and then try to find its mate. This game may also be played relay style. Start each child off with a half of heart in their hand. Divide them into two teams and let the children try to find their match. The first team to get all their matches wins. Game Ideas E-31

406 Who Has the Treasure? Seat the children in a circle on the floor. Show them a small coin or other treasure. Choose one child to be It and have them sit in the center of the circle. Instruct It to close their eyes, then hand the treasure to one of the children in the circle. Have all the children put their hands behind their backs. It should then open their eyes and try to guess which child is holding the treasure. The child holding the treasure then trades places with It. Continue playing until everyone has a turn to sit in the middle and guess. Who is Missing? Have the children sit on the floor with enough space to walk between them. At the front of the room, place a large golf umbrella opened on the floor. You might also use a blanket over a table, or have a leader hold up a blanket. Have the children hide/close their eyes. While the children s eyes are closed, the leader will choose a child to very quietly come to the front of the room and hide behind the umbrella, blanket, or under the table. Then have the leader say the following to the group: Open your eyes and look around. Who is missing from the crowd? At this signal, the other children open their eyes and try to guess who is missing from the group. Repeat until all the children have had a chance to hide or as time allows. Who Is Missing Here? Gather the pieces of a Nativity set, leaving out the wise men. Place the pieces on a tray and have the children close their eyes. Remove one of the pieces and have the children see if they can figure out which piece is missing. After the missing piece is discovered, talk about its significance in today s lesson. For example, if Mary is removed, talk to children about how she was chosen by God to be Jesus mother. Wooly Roundup Divide the children into two groups and have each group stand on opposite sides of the room. Place an empty basket or bucket by each team. Then take the cotton balls that were used in the Bible lesson and spread them out on the floor. Tell the children these are the sheep. Give each child a plastic spoon. Tell them that when you say Go each one should round up a cotton ball sheep. They have one minute to round up as many sheep as they can. They do that by placing the cotton ball on their spoon and putting it in their team s bucket. At the end of the minute, have the children sit down and count the cotton ball sheep in their team s bucket. Zacchaeus Drama Divide the children into groups of five or six. Each group will put on the dress-up clothing and act out the story of Zacchaeus for the rest of the group to watch. A small step stool will work for the tree. Have a leader or helper assist the children in dressing up and deciding who will play the different roles. Some of the groups of children will need less help than others. Continue until all the groups have had time to present their version of the story. E-32 Game Ideas

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