Shape hearts. Change lives.

Shape hearts. Change lives. Teacher Guide Spring 2018 HeartShaper.com Middle Elementary Grades 3 4

Middle Elementary Contents Grades 3 4 How to Use HeartShaper...1 Unit 1 Jesus Ministry Begins Overview and unit activities...11 Bible Memory: Colossians 1:10 Lesson 1 March 4... The Birth of John (Luke 1)...13 2 March 11... Jesus Childhood (Luke 2)... 19 3 March 18.... Jesus Begins His Ministry (Matthew 3; Luke 4)...25 4 March 25... Jesus Disciples (Matthew 4, 10)...31 * Special Lesson Jesus Resurrection April 1... Jesus Power to Overcome Death (Matthew 27, 28; John 19)...5 Unit 2 Jesus Teachings and Overview and unit activities...37 Power Bible Memory: Hebrews 11:1, 6 Lesson 5 April 8... Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders (Matthew 7)... 39 6 April 15.... Jesus Power to Heal (Matthew 8)...45 7 April 22... Parable of the Sower (Luke 8)...51 8 April 29... Jesus Power to Overcome Evil (Mark 5)...57 Unit 3 Jesus Teachings and Overview and unit activities...63 Power Bible Memory: Luke 6:27, 28, 31 Lesson 9 May 6... Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (Matthew 18)..65 10 May 13... Parables of the Lost Sheep and Coin (Luke 15)...71 11 May 20... Jesus Power to Give Sight (Mark 10)...77 12 May 27... Parable of the Bags of Gold (Matthew 25)...83 Reproducible pages...89 96 *Note: Because the dates of Easter shift every year, this curriculum prints at the beginning of the teacher guide a special lesson about Jesus resurrection. For your convenience, the table of contents arranges the lessons in the order they should be taught so that the special lesson can be taught on Easter Sunday. Be sure to use the Resources, Middle Elementary Activities leaflet, and Kidz Chat issue that correlates with this lesson. Your opinions are important to us! We value your experience and listen carefully to your comments guiding our curriculum development and improving HeartShaper. Go to HeartShaper.com/Opinions to take our short, 12 question opinion survey and receive a free activity book download. Middle Elementary Teacher is published quarterly by Standard Publishing, www.standardpub.com. Copyright 2006 2018 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Lu Ann J. Nickelson, editor. Lindsay Black, publisher. April Alford, Heather Dunn, Dennis McConnaughhay, Mike Summy, Brian Waldrop, Katie Wetherbee, contributors. David C Cook Creative Services Team, design and production. Ahaa! Design, typesetting. Nalinne Jones/EyeEm/Getty Images, cover photo.

How to Use HeartShaper Welcome to HeartShaper Children s Curriculum! With HeartShaper Children s Curriculum, your students will be engaged in Bible stories through multisensory learning, Bible skill-building activities, and focused life application. Here s how to start Pray for God s help to guide kids to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Read these introductory pages and the unit pages. Use the HeartShaper teaching tools. Important things to know Bible Memory lists the passage middle elementary kids will learn in each unit. Focus is the main thought that kids will learn and remember in each lesson. How the lessons are organized 1 Focus In: Kids are introduced to the lesson theme and focus. 2 Explore His Word: Kids will interact with the Scripture passage and develop Bible skills. 3 Make It Real: Kids will discover how the Scripture applies to their lives. 4 Live It Out: Kids will plan and begin to practice the principles of what they ve learned. Want more of an overview? Go to www.heartshaper.com/for-teachers. Look at the Overview by Age Level, and click on Middle Elementary. Whether you re new to HeartShaper curriculum, not sure how to use the different parts of the curriculum, have never taught, or haven t taught for a while, take a few minutes to go through this overview. You ll be glad you did! Quick Step activities are easy to prepare and teach. All that s needed are the curriculum materials and normal classroom supplies. Option activities are included in every step. YOU choose what works best for you and the different kinds of learners in your class. Middle Elementary Teacher Guide 1

Special Needs Reach kids with special needs HeartShaper gives the resources you need to train teachers and adapt lesson activities so you can include kids with special needs right in your Sunday school classes. Look for this symbol throughout the teacher guide to identify activities that work well for all kids, including those with special needs. Additional helps for teaching kids with special needs can be found on the Resources CD and at www.heartshaper.com/special-needs. Examples Option Love Commitment Bracelets Since we know that Jesus wants us to love God and others, let s plan on doing that. As you make love commitment bracelets, think about specific ways you ll show love to God and others this week. One color of lacing will help you remember to love God, another color will help you remember to love others, and the third color will help you remember that you are the one loving God and others. plastic lacing (or string) in 3 colors, scissors, tape Media Option Go online to find different kinds of bracelets kids can make. When you see this symbol after a title, it means the activity will work well for all kids, including those with special needs. Option Thumbs-Up or Thumbs-Down ASK: What is hope? Accept responses. The dictionary says that hope is to expect with confidence or to desire with expectation of obtaining something. Hope is the feeling of excitement about something we are waiting for. SAY: I m going to read some statements that have to do with hope. When you hear something that you hope for, give a thumbs-up. When you hear something that you don t hope for, give a thumbs-down. Ready? none If possible, pair the statements with pictures to provide context. Be sure to give enough wait time for students with learning delays to weigh in with their responses. When you see this symbol in the narrow column, it may give you a helpful tip on how you can tweak the activity to make it better for kids with special needs. Quick Step I Love This, You Love That Ask students to sit in a circle. SAY: Think of someone or something you love. When it s your turn, you will say what those before you said. Then say your name and add the name of a person or thing you love. You can start the game by saying, My name is and I love. The next kid should say, (your name) is and she loves. My name is and I love. Keep playing until everyone has had a turn. When the game is over, lead a discussion about different kinds of love. ASK: How is the love you have for your parents different from the love you have for pizza? How is the love you have for a friend different from the love you have for a pet? none Teaching Tip Continue to display the poster for the quarter (Resources sheet 1). See the Resources CD lesson 4 printable files for another way you can help kids with special needs explore and understand different kinds of love. Or this symbol may indicate that there s an adaptation on the Resources CD that will make the activity work better for kids with special needs. Shaping Special Hearts blogtalk radio show is for anyone who wants to learn more about ministering to families who have children with special needs. Listen as our hosts and their guests discuss topics such as developing a special needs ministry, helping families who have kids with special needs, and reaching out to the church and community in the area of special needs. On-demand episodes are available at www.heartshaper.com/special-needs/blogtalkradio. 2 Middle Elementary Teacher Guide

Teaching Tools These multisensory teaching tools are an integral part of HeartShaper! Middle Elementary Activities Your students will love the full-color activity leaflets designed just for them they make Bible study fun! Helps kids dig deeper into Scripture Encourages kids to think for themselves Kidz Chat student magazine This weekly student magazine helps kids take home what they re learning and helps their faith grow. In the magazine you ll find: Short stories that kids can relate to Just for Fun puzzles and activities and a weekly cartoon Middle Elementary Resources These resources will help you engage kids with different learning styles. These multisensory teaching tools include visual, printed, and audio resources. On the 8 sheets you ll find: Bible Memory posters (1 per unit) Bible time lines Maps and other visuals On the CD you ll find: Recordings Printable files for kids: activity pages for inclass use, lesson Scriptures (KJV and NIV) Printable file for teachers: reproducible pages for lessons, Bible Memory posters (KJV), special needs helps, teacher helps Go online to HeartShaper.com and SundaySchool.com Go to HeartShaper.com to find loads of resources for teachers and families! You ll also want to sign up to receive the HeartShaper biweekly e-newsletter. FREE online resources for teachers: Overview by age level Training videos Family Connections quarterly letters Holiday helps Special needs resources Leading Young Hearts to the Lord pocket guide Puppet patterns FREE online resource for families: Faith & Family guide for family devotions And at SundaySchool.com, check out all the ways you can purchase your HeartShaper curriculum print, downloadable Microsoft Word docs, and downloadable PDFs! For simple lesson planning, get the Middle Elementary Teacher s Convenience Kit. It contains one Middle Elementary Teacher Guide, one set of Middle Elementary Activities, the complete Middle Elementary Resources pack, and one set of Kidz Chat student magazine. Middle Elementary Teacher Guide 3

Teaching Middle Elementary Kids With HeartShaper, middle elementary kids will grow spiritually Middle elementary kids can know these important facts: God is their creator, Jesus is God s Son, and the Holy Spirit is their helper and guide. God meets their needs. God loves them and sent His Son to die for them. They can tell others about Jesus. Middle elementary kids can show these godly attitudes: Be aware of the need for salvation. Trust God to help overcome fears and temptations. Desire to worship God. Understand that God has plans for their lives. Middle elementary kids can exhibit these desirable behaviors: Put God first in plans and activities. Tell the truth even when it s not easy. Show respect for those in authority. Pray regularly, including prayer for others. See the entire list on the Middle Elementary Resources CD or at www.heartshaper.com. With HeartShaper, middle elementary kids will develop Bible skills Middle elementary kids will build on these Bible skills: Begin to understand the major emphasis of the Old and New Testaments Learn to read and pronounce names of Old and New Testament books Know how to find Bible verses Begin to read Bible verses Middle elementary kids will develop these new Bible skills: Begin to understand the chronology of Bible events, that there s an overall story or theme to the Bible, that history is God s story Better understand the structure of the Bible Learn the major emphasis of the Old and New Testaments Feel increasingly confident when using the Bible Middle elementary kids will gain even more with optional Bible skills: If desired and you have time, the Optional Bible Skill Builder in each lesson (provided on the Resources CD) will help middle elementary kids learn these skills: Memorize Old and New Testament books Memorize Old and New Testament divisions Learn more about the theme of each of the Bible divisions Locate on a Bible map where key Bible events took place See the entire list on the Middle Elementary Resources CD or at www.heartshaper.com. 4 Middle Elementary Teacher Guide

Unit 1 Jesus Ministry Begins Bible Memory Colossians 1:10 Live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God. Lesson Scripture Focus Lesson 1 The Birth of John Lesson 2 Jesus Childhood Luke 1 Luke 2 Believe what God says. Please God. Lesson 3 Jesus Begins His Ministry Matthew 3; Luke 4 Resist temptation. Lesson 4 Jesus Disciples Matthew 4, 10 Follow Jesus. Bible Skills Bible skills are intentionally integrated into each lesson. You ll help kids learn how to use their Bibles so God s Word goes deep into their hearts. Look for this symbol throughout the teacher guide to identify activities that work well for all kids, including those with special needs. Additional helps for teaching kids with special needs can be found on the Resources CD and at www.heartshaper.com. HeartShaper for Unit 1 Middle Elementary Activities Lessons 1 4 Middle Elementary Resources Visuals Sheet 1 Poster for the Quarter Sheet 2 Bible Time Lines Sheet 4 Colossians 1:10 Bible Memory Poster CD Printable Files Bible Dictionary, Bible Time Lines, Prayer Request Cards Unit 1: King James Version Bible Memory Lessons 1 4: King James Version Scripture texts, New International Version Scripture texts, Optional Bible Skill Builders Lesson 1: Optional OT Prophecy Bookmarks Lesson 2: Glad Libs, Jesus Childhood Story, Optional Bible Library Lesson 3: Jesus Begins His Ministry Script, Optional Bible Books Bingo Lesson 4: Dig Deeper Groups, I Will Follow Special Needs Helps (see CD Contents for complete list of files) Teacher Helps (see CD Contents for complete list of files) Kidz Chat student magazine Issues 1 4 Middle Elementary Teacher Guide, Unit 1 11

Additional Activities for Unit 1 Offer these activities for early arrivers, for kids who finish activities quickly, or whenever there is extra time. Unit Service Project Decorating Pillowcases Find a ministry or organization that advocates for orphans, and contact them to see whether they will distribute pillowcases your students will make. A number of organizations will facilitate this. (Back2Back Ministries is one. You can contact them at www.back2back.org.) Explain to the students that they will decorate plain pillowcases to send to orphans in (give details of where they will be sent). Tell kids that there are over 148 million orphans in the world. Brainstorm with kids about what kinds of things they can put on the pillowcases that will help children who are orphans. Prompt kids to consider Bible verses, God s promises, and images that could be understood by any child. Something More! For more activities, see the Extra-Time Activities file in the Teacher Helps folder on the Resources CD. Provide plain pillowcases and fabric markers. Let each student decorate a pillowcase, or let students work together in small groups. Help kids to be careful not to get markers on their clothing since these are permanent markers. As kids work, remind them that their good work of serving others pleases God (see Colossians 1:10, the Bible Memory). When everyone is done, pray over the pillowcases, asking God to use them to bring joy to the children who will receive them. Prayer Time Make copies of the Prayer Request Cards reproducible page. (See the teacher contents page for the location of reproducible pages. Cards are also available as a printable file on the Resources CD.) When students have a private request they would like you to pray about, they can write it on the Dear teacher request card and place it in a box labeled Prayer Requests for the Teacher. If students have a request they would like their classmates to pray about, they can write it on the Dear friends request card and share the request during your prayer time. 12 Middle Elementary Teacher Guide, Unit 1

The Birth of John Scripture: Luke 1:5-9, 11-13, 18-20, 57-66 Bible Memory: Colossians 1:10 Focus: Believe what God says. Lesson 1 Heart to Heart Teacher Devotion When was the last time that you thought, That s just too good to be true! Maybe it was the promise that in four short weeks you could lose 30 pounds. Or maybe it was the ad that promised a luxurious overseas vacation for just $200. Some things can t be believed because they re just not true. Have you ever had trouble believing some of God s promises that they sounded just too good to be true? Zechariah did, but he found out that there was no reason to doubt God. May you discover anew that you too can believe what God says. God s promises are too good but they re true! Lesson 1 at a Glance 1 FOCUS IN Use one or more of these activities to help students explore things they believe. Quick Step Believe and Do Option Sink or Float HeartShaper none none Other none tub of water, objects that sink and float (see activity), towels 2 EXPLORE HIS WORD Use these activities to help students describe the events of the birth of John the Baptist. Bible Exploration Luke 1:5-9, 11-13, 18-20, 57-66 Bible Memory Colossians 1:10 Optional Bible Skill Builder Bible time lines from the fall and winter quarters, Resources sheet 2, Activities for lesson 1 Resources sheet 4 Resources CD Optional Bible Skills 1 and Optional OT Prophecy Bookmarks printable files reusable adhesive, scissors, Bibles, pencils Bibles, reusable adhesive, paper, pencils, whiteboard, dry-erase markers whiteboard, dry-erase marker 3 MAKE IT REAL Use one of these activities to help students discover that they can always believe what God says. Quick Step Do You Believe It?, Part 1 Option God Says Activities for lesson 1 none pencils, Bibles Bibles 4 LIVE IT OUT Use one of these activities to help students believe God. Quick Step Do You Believe It?, Part 2 Option Praying Well Activities for lesson 1 Activities for lesson 1 pencils pencils Middle Elementary Teacher Guide, Unit 1, Lesson 1 13

Focus In (10 15 minutes) 1 Use one or more of these activities to help students explore things they believe. Focus Believe what God says. Welcome Welcome each student warmly by name. Early arrivers will enjoy doing the additional activities on the unit page or Resources CD Extra-Time Activities. Quick Step Believe and Do Greet any guests and find out one interesting thing about each student. Tell kids that you re going to read some statements. When they believe a statement, they are to do the action. Read the following statements, adding others if desired. Pause after each one and ask one of the kids doing the action why he believes that. SAY: If you believe that girls rule, clap your hands. If you believe that what goes up must come down, stand up, then sit down. If you believe that dogs are the best pets, bark like a dog. If you believe that broccoli tastes great, say yummy! If you believe that cleaning your room is fun, stand up and pretend to sweep. If you believe that Jesus loves everyone, shout Jesus loves everyone! If you believe that the sun and moon are there even when you can t see them, pretend to look through binoculars. If you believe that boys rule, clap your hands. none Teaching Tip Display the poster for the quarter (Resources sheet 1). It will help kids think about the main focus of each lesson this quarter. ASK: If you say that you believe something, what do you mean by that? (I m certain of it. I know it s true.) How do you decide what to believe and whom to believe? SAY: There are some things that most people believe and other things that only some people believe. Let s keep thinking about what and whom we believe and why. Option Sink or Float Try to find out one interesting thing about each of the students as they arrive. Have kids gather around the tub of water, and give each of them an object. SAY: Look at your object and think about whether you believe it will sink or float. Let s find out. Have kids, one at a time, drop their objects into the tub of water. Before doing so, they should say I believe this will sink or I believe this will float. tub of water, objects that will sink (paper clip, stone, coin, ball of clay, marble), objects that will float (straw, balloon, feather, paper clip, tennis ball), towels for cleanup ASK: What did you base your belief on before you dropped your object into the water? If you say that you believe something, what do you mean by that? (I m certain of it. I know it s true.) How do you decide what to believe and whom to believe? SAY: Let s keep thinking about what and whom we believe and why. 14 The Birth of John, Lesson 1

Focus Believe what God says. Explore His Word (25 minutes) 2 Use these activities to help students describe the events of the birth of John the Baptist. Bible Background for the Teacher Four hundred years of silence. From Malachi to John, the Word of the Lord had not been spoken. Malachi prophesied that Elijah would come (Malachi 4), and the angel Gabriel identified this baby as the one who would go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah (Luke 1:17). Silence was broken. With so many priests, a rotational schedule was established according to the divisions determined during King David s reign (1 Chronicles 24:1-19). Each division was on duty for a week, twice a year. This ministry brought Zechariah a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But this privilege brought more: the message that he and Elizabeth would have a son. As a result of Zechariah s doubt, this sacred service and miraculous meeting ended in silence. Just as Gabriel promised, Elizabeth gave birth to a son. The day of circumcision took place eight days after the birth of a son, according to Jewish law (Genesis 17:12; Leviticus 12:3), and was the day for naming the child. Custom would have led these parents to name the child after Zechariah. But in obedience, the promised son was named John, meaning Jehovah is a gracious giver. The news of these miraculous events spread throughout the hill country of Judea. Experiencing the promise and power of the Lord, these parents knew their child was destined to make ready a people prepared for the Lord (Luke 1:17). Bible time lines from the fall and winter quarters displayed on a wall or bulletin board (or print those time lines from the Resources CD Bible Skills folder), Resources sheet 2 Bible time lines pressed apart and displayed on a wall or bulletin board, scissors, Bibles, reusable adhesive, Activities for lesson 1, pencils Media Option Go to www.biblegateway.com and play a dramatized reading of the Bible verses. Note The Scripture text is provided on the Resources CD in both the New International Version and the King James Version, if you want kids to read from the same Bible version. Bible Exploration Luke 1:5-9, 11-13, 18-20, 57-66 ASK: What have we been learning about history? (It s His story. It s God s story.) Refer to the four Bible time lines from the fall and winter quarters. Ask kids to help you briefly review God s story, starting with Creation and going all the way through Silence. SAY: All these events are part of history His story, God s story. ASK: What do you see that s the same on all these posters? (It says God prepares for salvation. ) SAY: Through all these events, God had a plan, and that plan was preparing for salvation. This is where we pick up God s story. Draw kids attention to the new Bible time line. ASK: What s different about our new Bible time line? (It says God sends salvation. ) Ask kids to look at the table of contents in their Bibles (print or digital) and find the book of Luke. Have kids turn to Luke 1. Have a volunteer read verses 5-7 aloud. ASK: From these verses, what did you learn about Zechariah and Elizabeth? SAY: For the rest of the story, let s do some group acting. You won t be acting alone, but acting as part of a group. You can either portray Zechariah, Elizabeth, an angel, or neighbors and relatives. Let kids Middle Elementary Teacher Guide, Unit 1, Lesson 1 15

choose who they would like to be. Ask each group to stand together. When your character does something, all of you in that group should pretend to do it. Or when your character says something, all of you in that group should say those words after me. Ready? Read Luke 1:8, 9, 11-13, 18-20, 57-66. Pause in places where kids should act out what s happening. When a character says something, read in short phrases so kids can repeat the words. When finished, distribute the leaflets and pencils and have kids look at the Zechariah s Story activity. Ask kids to work together in pairs to finish the letter. When students are done, let pairs of kids share their answers. ASK: What surprised you the most about the events that were a part of the birth of John? Accept kids responses. If you had been in Zechariah s situation, what do you think you would have said to the angel? Why was Zechariah punished? (didn t believe the angel s message) Was Zechariah s unusual punishment fair? Defend your answer. SAY: Zechariah the priest had served God for many years. He had studied God s Word. Yet when Zechariah had the opportunity to believe God and the message the angel gave him, Zechariah didn t do it. He doubted God. And he suffered the consequence. But God kept His promise to Zechariah and his wife and blessed them with a son. And they named him John just as the angel told them to do. And what a son he would be! John had a unique role in God s story and in God s sending salvation. Through it all, Zechariah discovered that he could believe what God says. Bible Memory Colossians 1:10 Live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God. Display the Colossians 1:10 poster on a wall or bulletin board. Have kids turn in their Bibles to Colossians 1:10, and have a volunteer read it aloud. ASK: To whom did Paul write the book of Colossians? (the church at Colossae; see verse 2) Bibles, Resources sheet 4, reusable adhesive, paper, pencils, whiteboard, dryerase marker Note The Bible Memory in the King James Version is included on the Resources CD. SAY: Paul told the church at Colossae that he prayed and thanked God for them. He encouraged them to keep doing great things for God. Direct kids attention to the Bible Memory poster. Ask kids why we would want to live a life worthy of the Lord and please him. Ask students to think about that as you write these heads on the board, spaced apart: Why? and How? and How? Under Why?, write kids responses to why we want to live a life worthy of the Lord and please him. Then ask students to think about how we can be bearing fruit [being productive] in every good work. Write their responses under How? Then ask kids to think about how we can be growing in the knowledge of God. Write their responses under the second How? Be sure to discuss their ideas. SAY: Pleasing God that s what it s all about for Christians! When we believe what God says, that pleases Him a whole lot. Optional Bible Skill Builder Print the Resources CD Optional Bible Skills 1 printable file. 16 The Birth of John, Lesson 1

Focus Believe what God says. Make It Real (10 15 minutes) 3 Use one of these activities to help students discover that they can always believe what God says. Activities for lesson 1, pencils, Bibles Note The rest of this activity, I Can Show I Believe God By..., will be done in the Live It Out Quick Step activity. Quick Step Do You Believe It?, Part 1 SAY: Let s play a quick game of Telephone. Ask kids to stand up and form a line. Whisper to a student, Believe me, bologna tastes great on pizza. That student whispers the message to the next kid. Keep going until the message reaches the last kid. Have that kid say what he heard. ASK: Do you believe what I said that bologna tastes great on pizza? Have kids turn in their leaflets to the Do You Believe It? activity. Ask for volunteers to read one of the three Bible verses in the orange banner. Ask kids to tell what God can t do. (He can t lie.) Then ask for five volunteers to look up one of the five Scriptures. SAY: God says, I sent my Son to save the world. Ask the student or group who has John 3:16, 17 to read it aloud. ASK: Did God send His Son? (yes) Do you believe it? Accept kids responses. Ask students to circle either yes or no. Do the same for the rest of the Scriptures. SAY: When God says He will do something, He does it. As Zechariah found out you can always believe what God says. Bibles Some kids might not do as well with a game format. Consider writing all the statements on self-stick notes and having kids sort them according to what is true or false. Students can do this independently or in groups. Option God Says Have students stand up and form a line across the room from you. SAY: Let s play a game called God Says. The goal is to be the first one to reach me. As needed, add more things that God has and hasn t said. SAY: (1) If you believe that God says I sent my Son, take one giant step forward. (2) If you believe that God says I will hear and answer your prayers, take two scissor steps. (3) If you believe that God says Cleanliness is next to godliness, take three giant steps. This is not something God said. If a kid took steps, have him take one step backward. (4) If you believe that God says I am with you and care about you, take three baby steps. (5) If you believe that God says Some of your sins are too bad to forgive, take four medium-size steps. God did not say this. If a kid took steps, have him take one step backward. (6) If you believe that God says I love you, take two giant steps. ASK: Why do you believe that God says I love you, I ll forgive you, I sent my Son, and I care about you? (Those things are in the Bible. God showed how much He loves and cares about us when He sent Jesus to die on the cross.) Have kids turn in their Bibles to Titus 1:2, and have a volunteer read it aloud. SAY: God can t lie. Zechariah found that out and would tell you this: you can always believe what God says! Middle Elementary Teacher Guide, Unit 1, Lesson 1 17

Live It Out (10 minutes) 4 Use one of these activities to help students believe God. Focus Believe what God says. Quick Step Do You Believe It?, Part 2 ASK: If you believe what God says, what will you do? Accept responses. Have students look in their leaflets again at the Do You Believe It? activity. SAY: When you believe what God says, you do something about it. If you believe that God hears and answers prayers, yet never pray, do you really believe God? If you believe that God loves you, yet never share His love with anyone, do you really believe God? Activities for lesson 1, pencils Teaching Tip Be sure that all kids get involved in planning and acting. SAY: Volunteers are going to do some acting! If you help act out the first thing God said, you can act out a kid (or group of kids) showing that he or she believes God sent Jesus to save the world. You can act out what the person might do and say. Choose volunteers to do some acting. Then do the same for all the things God said. When all the groups are done, ask kids to look in their leaflets at the I Can Show I Believe God By... activity. Tell them to write in each area how they plan on showing that they believe God. Then ask kids to gather for prayer. Ask students to pray silently, remembering Zechariah, whom God silenced for a time. Encourage kids to thank God that He never lies and that they can always believe what God says. Option Praying Well SAY: Zechariah found out that he could believe what God says. ASK: How about you? Do you believe what God says? How will you show it? Activities for lesson 1, pencils Allow kids to draw instead of write, if they prefer. Have kids turn in their leaflets to the Praying Well activity. Have a volunteer read the prayer aloud. SAY: Just like Zechariah found out, you can believe what God says. Write on the blank lines your ideas about how you will show that you believe God. (Some ideas include praying, telling others about God, thanking God, trusting God, and asking for forgiveness.) When kids are done, have volunteers share what they wrote. Challenge kids to follow through on their ideas. Then gather for a time of prayer. Encourage volunteers to thank God that He never lies and that they can always believe what God says. Kidz Chat Give each student a Kidz Chat to take home. Be sure parents know about the Faith & Family pages available online to print and use with their children at home. Go to www.heartshaper.com. 18 The Birth of John, Lesson 1

Just for You Get Prepared to Teach Most of us have owners manuals for our gadgets. We seldom read these, because we assume that we can figure things out on our own. But when it comes to the short and precious time we have to teach children about God and His Word, we need to know the fundamentals that will take our teaching from humdrum to high-energy! PREPARE... Yourself Read and study the lesson text from God s Word. Pray and ask God for wisdom as you teach children about Him. Pray that the kids in your class will come to know God and the abundant life He gives. The lesson Familiarize yourself with the different aspects of the lesson. If your curriculum offers activity options, choose which options will work best for the kids in your class. Know the Bible story well enough so that you re not tied to the teacher s guide while telling it. The materials During the week, collect materials and prepare them for the activities you ve chosen. Being prepared is one of the best ways to prevent kids attention from wandering! The environment Take time to eliminate clutter and rearrange furniture. Make your room a place that is inviting and interesting for kids. To arrive early It s important to remember that no matter what your class s official start time is, class begins when the first child enters the room. Talking with children as they arrive is a great way to nurture relationships! We have very little time to impact the children we teach. Being prepared gives us a relaxed attitude that reflects God s love and care as we share the good news! For more inspiration and training, you ll want to get a copy of Teacher Training Smart Pages. Available from your Christian retailer or at SundaySchool.com

Shape hearts. Change lives. HeartShaper helps kids grow to know and love God and His Word and live it out! What makes HeartShaper unique? Kids take five journeys through the Bible by the time they reach 6th grade. Bible skills, integrated into each lesson, build on each other from one age level to the next. Activity options are included in most steps of each lesson. Quick Step activities, easy to prepare and teach, require no materials other than the curriculum and common classroom supplies. Special needs friendly activities are integrated into each lesson. Additional resources are available at www.heartshaper.com/special-needs. You ll want to use all the multisensory teaching tools provided with HeartShaper: KidzChat Student Magazine Middle Elementary Activitites Middle Elementary Resources Products sold separately or in a kit Plus, check out FREE online resources at www.heartshaper.com. ME Middle Elementary Teacher Guide No. 6240 3624018