God s Unfolding Story. Arrival

New Testament Unit 5: Jesus Taught Important Truths Lesson 2: Jesus Taught About Prayer God s Unfolding Story Suggested Schedule: Bible Story: Jesus Taught About Prayer (Matt. 4: 23-35; 5:1; 6:5-14) Bible Phrase: Jesus talked to God (Matt. 14:23). Bible Truth: Jesus taught me how to pray. 1. God created everything. 2. People disobeyed God. 3. God chose a special people. 4. God sent Jesus to help us. 5. Jesus began the Church. Arrival Centers 25 minutes Clean-up Time 5 minutes Bible Story Time 15 minutes Craft Time 10 minutes Snack Time 10 minutes Game Time/Dismissal Hour A Unfolding God s Story for Teachers Jesus talked a lot about prayer, and He spent much time in prayer. Numerous prayers and times when Jesus prayed are recorded in the gospels. Although Jesus was God s Son, while on Earth, He felt Himself utterly dependent on the power higher than Himself, and He prayed often to His Father. Jesus lesson about prayer is recorded in Matthew and Luke. We will consider the Matthew 6:5-14 passage. Jesus had an issue with the way the religious leaders prayed in public. He was not against public prayer, but disagreed with the intent of their hearts. Our intent should be to honor and glorify God, not to bring attention to ourselves. For Jesus, prayer was personal and private communication with God. Prayer is an expression of one s self to God. Through our petitioning and wrestling with the challenges and hurts of our hearts, we find ourselves drawing closer to the perfect and extraordinary will of the Father. Jesus gave His disciples an example of the kind of prayer they should pray. The prayer gave them a guide for approaching God and a model for the kinds of things to pray about. Let s take a closer look. Our Father in heaven : Jesus knew God as His own Father and wants us to relate to Him in the same way. God loves us and knows our every need. He also reigns in heaven and deserves our reverence and adoration. Your name be honored and holy : This is a plea that everyone would honor and set apart the name of God, Yahweh. If one honors God s name, he or she will live a life holy that is set apart, as well. Your kingdom come; Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven : God s kingdom will come fully when all the forces of evil have been extinguished. This is a prayer for that reality. This prayer asked that God s will be done and His rule acknowledged on Earth. Give us today our daily bread : This request asks for whatever essentials are needed for that day. 6. Jesus is preparing heaven for us. And forgive our debts as we have also forgiven our debtors : This statement acknowledges that we are debtors before God and totally in need of His forgiveness. It also admits we cannot expect God s grace if we are not willing to extend it to others. And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one : God does not tempt us, but may test our faith. May we not be lead to a test in which we would be unfaithful. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever : This phrase does not appear in the earliest manuscripts. It may have been a benediction added when the early Christians used this prayer in their worship. May we approach the Father in reverence and leave only when our will has conformed to His. Lesson Plan Arrival Greet children at eye level and express how happy you are to see them. Be sure each child has a name tag and the security measures of your church are followed. Label all coats and personal belongings. Strongly encourage children who have brought items from home, such as toys and books, to place them on a shelf while they are working with other materials. Assure children their items will be safe and they can take them home at the end of the session. Help each child make a choice where he or she would like to begin his or her Center Time. God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2012 - SundaySchoolZone.com NT05 Lesson 2 Hour A Page 1

Block Center Build with Blocks Wooden blocks What to Do: Provide a small carpet if possible. Blocks are best located in a corner of the room away from the traffic flow. Encourage preschoolers to work together to build and construct. Link to the Bible Story: As children build and construct, listen for opportunities to share the Bible Phrase or tell a part of the Bible story. Home Living Center Role Play Doll bed and doll items such as doll bag, blanket, clothes, bottles and diapers; small rocking chair, sink and stove unit and small table and chairs; plastic dishes; child pots and pans Plastic food items such as fruits, vegetables, meats and breads What to Do: Encourage children to prepare a pretend meal with the plastic food items or set up a grocery store. Link to the Bible Story: As children play, talk about the different food items and what their favorites might be. Tell children that in our Bible story, Jesus taught His friends how to talk to God. Explain that God wants us to be thankful that He provides what we need, such as our food and clothes. Center Time Art Center Marble Paint 3 or 4 box lids Drawing paper 2 or 3 colors of paint 8 marbles What to Do: Cut drawing paper to fit inside the lids. To marble paint, squeeze a small amount of each color of paint in the center of the paper. Drop the marbles into the paint. Children can rock the box lids back and forth and side to side. As the marbles move across the paint, they make an interesting design. Link to the Bible Story: As children work, say a simple thank-you prayer to God for hands to paint and create art work. Express that in our Bible story today, Jesus taught His disciples to pray. Comment that prayer is talking to God, as well as a time to express our thanks. Bible Learning Center Make a Puzzle Copies of Activity Page: Thank You, God Puzzle (Reproducible) Washable markers, crayons, scissors Construction paper, glue What to Do: Ask children to color the puzzle page and cut along the cutting lines. Encourage preschoolers to work the puzzle on a piece of construction paper and then glue it down. Link to the Bible Story: Tell children that in today s Bible story, Jesus was teaching His helpers to pray. Explain that prayer is talking to God. When we tell God we are thankful, we honor His name. Puzzle Center Work Puzzles Offer a variety of non-fantasy wooden or cardboard puzzles for children to work. What to Do: Encourage children to finish a puzzle before leaving the center. Give guidance rather than doing the puzzle for the child. Link to the Bible Story: As children work, look for opportunities in conversation to say the Bible Phrase or briefly tell the Bible story. God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2012 - SundaySchoolZone.com NT05 Lesson 2 Hour A Page 2

Clean-up Time Encourage preschoolers to help at clean-up time. Assign specific tasks for preschoolers to do such as placing all the crayons in the basket, throwing away the trash, gathering all the glue sticks, etc. Guide children to the Bible Story Time area. Bible Story Time Bible Teaching Picture: Jesus Taught about Prayer (Reproducible) God s Unfolding Story Cube (Reproducible/Cardstock) Introduction Show the God s Unfolding Story Cube. Point to each symbol and tell God s Unfolding Story. (Refer to page 1.) Encourage children to tell the story with you. Comment to boys and girls today s story is from God sent Jesus to help us. (Point to that symbol on the cube.) Express the following in your own words: Jesus came to help us learn about God and His love for us. Today in our Bible story, Jesus taught His disciples how they should pray. What do you think prayer is? Prayer is simply talking to God. Jesus wanted His disciples to know how to pray, and He wants us to know how to pray. Bible Story Jesus Taught about Prayer (Matt. 4:23-35; 5:1; 6:5-14) Flip, flop, flip, flop went Jesus sandals as He walked throughout Galilee, teaching and healing the sick. Everywhere Jesus went, crowds of people followed Him to hear the news of God s love and to see the amazing things Jesus would do. One day, a crowd gathered around Jesus; so He went up on the hillside along with His disciples and began to teach. Jesus taught a lot of important things that day, but one thing He talked about was prayer. Jesus said, Don t pray to show off to other people or just so people will hear you. Prayer is a special time between you and God. Jesus told His helpers when they prayed to pray something like this: Father we honor Your name. Do on Earth what You would do in heaven. Give us the food we will need today. Forgive us when we do wrong, and help us forgive those who do wrong to us. Keep us from doing unkind things. We know You are powerful and wonderful forever. Amen. Talk Time 1. Show the teaching picture for today s Bible story. Ask the following: What did Jesus talk to the people about? Do you remember some things Jesus asked us to pray about? 2. Read the Bible Phrase on the teaching picture. Say the phrase together. Express to children that God wants us to talk to Him. We can talk to Him when we are happy, sad, afraid, mad, lonely or sick. God wants us also to thank Him and praise Him for all the things He has done and given us. 3. Close the Bible Story Time by giving any interested preschooler an opportunity to pray. End the prayer by thanking God that Jesus taught us how to pray and for God hearing our prayers. God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2012 - SundaySchoolZone.com NT05 Lesson 2 Hour A Page 3

Craft Time Make a Bible Phrase Marker Copies of Bible Phrase Marker Construction paper, yarn, hole punch Crayons, glue, scissors, stickers (nature, people, non-fantasy) What to Do: Cut strips of construction paper a little larger than the Bible Phrase Marker. Cut one strip per child. Invite children to decorate their Bible Phrase Marker and glue to a construction paper strip. Help children punch a hole and tie a small length of yarn to finish the Bible Phrase Marker. Link to Bible Story: Read the Bible Phrase. Explain to children that praying and talking to God are the same. Add that God wants us to talk to Him. When we talk to God, we can praise and thank Him for all He has given us; we can tell Him about things we have done wrong, and we can ask Him for things we need. Snack Time Be sure to wash hands or use hand sanitizer. Say a thank-you prayer to God for the snack. When snack time has ended, encourage preschoolers to help with cleaning up. Game Time/Dismissal Thankful Game Thankful Cube (Reproducible) What to Do: Ask children to sit in a circle. Show the Thankful Cube to children. Tell children we are going to take turns rolling the cube. Express that when the cube lands, we will talk about the picture on top and identify some of the favorite things related to the picture. For instance, if the cube lands on the picture of the animal, talk about favorite animals for which the children are thankful. If the cube lands on the picture of people, talk about the different people for whom we are thankful such as moms and dads, sisters and brothers, etc. Invite preschoolers to take turns rolling the cube. At the close of the game, say the Bible Phrase together, Jesus prayed to God. Explain to children that when we pray, God wants us express our thanks. Dismiss children as parents arrive. Be sure to follow the security procedures of your church. God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2012 - SundaySchoolZone.com NT05 Lesson 2 Hour A Page 4

Resources and Supplies Hour A New Testament Unit 5: Jesus Taught Important Truths Lesson 2: Jesus Taught About Prayer Standard Art Supplies (Supplies that are generally in the room) Washable markers Crayons Child scissors Playdough and accessories Drawing paper Easel (optional) Glue/glue sticks Tempera paint, 4 colors Tape/masking tape Pencils/colored pencils Hole punch Teacher scissors Stapler/staples Permanent markers Watercolors Paintbrushes Yarn Standard Equipment (Equipment that is generally in the room) Small beanbag for Bible Story Time Assorted wooden/cardboard puzzles Set of wooden blocks Small cars and trucks Doll bed Baby doll (soft plastic) Stove/sink unit Play dishes/pots and pans Small table and chairs Small carpet for block area Play food items Storage shelf for blocks Tables and chairs for art, puzzles, and Bible Learning Center CD player/children s Worship CDs Reproducibles (Included with the lesson plan downloads) Activity Page: Thank You God Puzzle (1 copy per child) Bible Phrase Marker (1 copy per child) Game: Thankful Cube (1 per class) Teaching Picture: Jesus Taught about Prayer (1 copy per class) God s Unfolding Story Cube (Cardstock) (1 copy per class) Parent Page (1 copy per child) Additional Art Materials Three or 4 box lids paper box lids or shoeboxes are good for this White paper or drawing paper 8 marbles Construction paper (1 sheet per child) Construction paper (3 or 4 sheets) Stickers (Nature, non-fantasy) Additional Home Living Materials Plastic food items God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2012 - SundaySchoolZone.com NT05 Lesson 2 Hour A

clothes house Thank You God food mom & dad pets Thank You God Puzzle Instructions: One copy per child. Children color the puzzle and cut along the dotted lines. Encourage children to work the puzzle on construction paper and glue it down. NT05 Lesson 2 Hour B Center Time: Bible Learning Center God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2012 - SundaySchoolZone.com

Jesus talked to God. Matthew 14:23 Jesus talked to God. Matthew 14:23 Bible Phrase Marker Instructions: Copy 1 sheet for every 2 children. Children can color and decorate the Bible Phrase Marker with stickers. Glue the Bible Phrase marker to a piece of construction paper a little larger than the marker. Hole punch at the top and tie a small piece of yarn. NT05 Lesson 2 Hour A Craft Time God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2012 - SundaySchoolZone.com

Thankful Cube Instructions: Copy 1 per class on cardstock. Cut out the cube piece and fold along the lines to form a cube. Stuff with plastic bag or shredded paper. Tape to close. Use during Game Time/Dismissal following the instructions in the Teacher Pages. NT05 Lesson 2 Hours A & B Game Time God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2012 - SundaySchoolZone.com