Session 9 Winter 2018 19 Early Childhood Jesus calls disciples LUKE 5:1 11 prepare PRAYER God, each day is an opportunity to follow you more closely. Draw me nearer to you. Amen. PURPOSE STATEMENT To meet Jesus friends STORY SUMMARY Jesus taught the crowd from Simon Peter s boat. Then Jesus told Simon to cast his net into deep water. Simon had caught nothing all night, but this catch was so large that the nets began to break and they had to bring out another boat. Everyone was amazed, and Simon fell at Jesus knees. Jesus told Simon that soon he would be catching people instead of fish. Simon, James, and John left everything to follow Jesus. teaching tips for early childhood The desire to follow Jesus comes from knowing who Jesus is. For Simon, following Jesus meant leaving the life he knew. For young children, following Jesus might mean being kind to others or giving someone else a turn even when it s hard. Simon learned more about Jesus as he let down the nets and saw the huge catch of fish. Young children learn more about Jesus by hearing the stories you tell. Bring the story to life for the children today. Decide which Explore options to offer. Offering a water play option in the Discover option takes extra work. However, this sensory experience will create a strong memory of the story. Young children learn best by playing and touching. Locate the Bonus Early Childhood Leaflets to send home today. Check Supplies and To do throughout this session to see what needs to be prepared. Go to www.shinecurriculum.com/extras to find tips for working with younger children. 54 / 9 Jesus calls disciples January 27, 2019
dig deeper Scene 3: Fishing for people The third scene brings together the themes of preaching and fishing, as the great catch leads to a new vocation for by Sheila Klassen-Wiebe Scene 1: Preaching by the lake In this story, Simon and his partners encounter Jesus while catching fish and are called to a new vocation. Luke s version is a story in three scenes. In the first scene, Jesus is preaching at the edge of the lake of Gennesaret [Gi-NES-uh-ret], or Sea of Galilee. Jesus preaching and healing has already earned him a reputation. Jesus steps into Simon s boat and imposes on this busy fisherman to row out from shore a little so that he can better speak to the crowds. GENESIS LUKE 5:1 11 12 13 Simon. Simon s response to such extraordinary good fortune Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man! may seem strange to present-day readers. However, Simon s admission of sinfulness is a typical biblical response in the presence of the holy, much like the prophet Isaiah s response to his vision of God in the temple. 2 Whereas earlier Simeon called Jesus Master, he now calls him Lord, a signal that he is being transformed and is aware of the divine power at work in Jesus. Jesus first response to Simon is Do Scene 2: Fishing in deep water In the second scene, the focus shifts from not be afraid. These are the same words that Gabriel spoke to Zechariah and preaching to fishing. After Jesus finishes speaking, he instructs Simon to put out into the deep water and let down his nets for a catch. This seems nonsensical to Simon, who has been up all night fishing without success. Any fisher would know that fish feed at night and that the most successful fishing is closer to the shore, where the streams feed into the lake. Simon s response is revealing in several respects. First, Mary and that the angel spoke to the shepherds. All three times, a promise of a great event followed the angel s reassurance. Jesus next words to Simon also promise something, not a new physical birth, but the birth of a new vocation for Simon: From now on you will be catching people. Simon is being given both a task and a promise; he is being called to participate in the saving work of God by becoming involved in Jesus mission. The he addresses Jesus as Master, a term that is used almost greatness of the catch of fish foreshadows the amazing exclusively by Jesus disciples in Luke s Gospel. Although success of the apostles mission in the book of Acts. a title of respect and submission, it almost always occurs James and John are partners with Simon in fishing, and they now become partners with him in his in contexts where the disciples doubt or misunderstand something Jesus says. 1 new work. Along with Simon, they leave everything at Second, Simon, who later becomes the spokesperson the lakeshore and follow Jesus. We may wonder what for the disciples, is a strong enough character that he happens to the great catch of fish or the families of the is not afraid to protest Jesus request. Third, despite his fishermen, but Luke is only interested in telling his reservations, Simon obeys Jesus because of Jesus authoritative word and because he knows Jesus as a powerful readers about the radical response of people who hear Jesus authoritative call to follow him and participate in healer of his mother-in-law (4:38 39) and an influential preacher (5:1 3). Luke then emphasizes the overwhelming and unexpected nature of what happens next: the his mission. This story reveals that disciples are ordinary people who encounter Jesus in their daily lives and nets are about to tear and both Simon s boat and his are ready to step out in faith to take up the task and the partners boat are in danger of sinking. promise held out to them. 1. See, for example, Luke 8:24; 9:33, 49. 2. Isaiah 6:5. www.shinecurriculum.com Luke 5:1 11 / 55
American Sign Language for Bible memory (from Additional resources) Shine Early Childhood Music CD CD player Craft sticks Jar Marker resource pack Bible memory poster (Luke 11) Prayer card (friends) to do Cut out the session 9 Prayer card from the resource pack. Color the background of the card with a color of your choice. Tape it to the end of a craft stick. media connections Books about friendship, such as You Are Friendly by Todd Snow Fishers of Men/Peter, James and John in a Sailboat (Medley) by VeggieTales (YouTube) Tu has venido a la orilla (Lord, You Have Come to the Lakeshore) song (YouTube) Internet image search for fishing net in Galilee gather BUILD COMMUNITY Sing the friends song Hello, Everybody! from the Shine Early Childhood Music CD, track 1. Song lyrics are at the back of this guide. Ask children what they like to do with their friends. Tell the children that in today s Bible story, they will meet some of Jesus friends. Wonder together what Jesus did with his friends. WORSHIP TOGETHER Sing Jesus, We Will Sing of Your Love from the Shine Early Childhood Music CD, track 7. Sing El amor de Dios (The Love of God), track 11. SPIRITUAL PRACTICE Say a thank you prayer for friends, as you did for the family and church in sessions 7 and 8. Show the prepared Prayer card (friends) from the resource pack. Write the name of a friend you want to pray for on a craft stick using the same color marker as the background color of the card. Tell children who it is: I want to pray for my friend Derrick. Go around the circle, asking each child to name a friend. Write the person s name on a craft stick and give it to the child. When everyone has a stick, say the following prayer: God, we lift our friends to you. (Raise the stick high.) Help them to be safe and happy. (Gently wave the stick back and forth overhead.) Be close to them and show them your love. (Hold the stick close to your heart.) Amen. Repeat the prayer. Collect the sticks and place them in a jar along with the sticks from previous sessions. Bible memory teaching tip Some children may be shy and uncomfortable in a group setting. Affirm and encourage participation, knowing that it may look different for each child. Some may feel comfortable singing and doing the motions while others may just sing or sway to the music. Don t force anyone to talk, but try asking yes-and-no questions so a child can join the conversation simply by nodding. Draw children s attention to the Bible memory poster. Remind children that this prayer is one that Jesus taught his friends. Review the American Sign Language signs for Jesus and pray. Teach the sign for Father. (See the descriptions and photos on page 92 in this guide.) Use the signs as you read the first portion of the passage. So Jesus told them, Pray in this way: Father, help us to honor your name. Luke 11:2a (CEV) 56 / 9 Jesus calls disciples January 27, 2019
experience SHARE THE STORY Open the Bible to Luke 5:1 and show children the words of the Bible story. Lay a blue cloth on the floor to be the lake. Place two large plastic containers (boats) next to the blue cloth. Use story figures prepared using the templates on pages 85 86 in this guide to represent Jesus, Simon, James, John, and the crowd. Set Simon, James, and John next to the boats. Set Jesus next to the blue cloth, with the crowd of people near him. The Bible story is found on the back of the story picture in the resource pack. Follow the instructions there for movement of the props. WONDER AND REFLECT Ask some or all of these wondering questions to help children think more about the story. Some children may want to respond aloud or may have other questions. Imagine working hard all night and not catching even one fish. (Pause.) Imagine pulling in a heavy net full of fish. I wonder what it means to fish for people. I wonder if other people in the crowd followed Jesus too. I wonder how we can be a friend of Jesus. PEACE NOTES Every person is invited to follow Jesus and experience the peace of God. Sing Som landela (We Will Follow) from the Shine Early Childhood Music CD, track 8. On the English verses, use a slight variation: Sing, Todd will follow, Todd will follow Jesus... As you name the children, have them follow you around the room. Jesus calls disciples Luke 5:1 11 Bible Shine Early Childhood Music CD CD player storytelling props Two plastic containers Story figures: Jesus, Simon, James, John, crowd (see To do) Blue cloth resource pack Story picture to do Find two plastic containers that are large enough for two story figures to stand in them. Prepare story figures using the templates on pages 85 86 in this guide, or use your own figures. www.shinecurriculum.com Luke 5:1 11 / 57
explore CREATE Use play dough to represent parts of the story. Roll out some play dough to be water and shore. Create boats by pressing your thumbs into a ball of play dough. Make fish out of pinches of play dough, or use small balls. Use fingertips to make footprints of people who followed Jesus. Play dough (recipe at www.shinecurriculum.com/extras) Rolling pins MOVE Read about Jesus friends on page 2 of the Early Childhood leaflet. Copy and cut apart the Jesus friends cards from page 94 in this guide. Hold up one card and read the caption. Do the specified motion. For Follow Jesus, you could march, walk, hop, or move in some other way around the room. After the children are familiar with the cards and movements, give each child an opportunity to hold up a card and tell the group what to do. Early Childhood leaflets Jesus friends cards (from Additional resources) RETELL Spread a blanket on the floor and set box boats on it. If possible, use boxes that are big enough for a child to sit in. Spread crumpled paper fish around the blanket, enough to fill both boxes. Provide smaller blankets for nets. Children can take turns being in the boat and putting the net over while other children can be in the water and fill the net and boats with fish. Two boxes or laundry baskets (boats) Large blanket (water) Smaller blankets (nets) Crumpled pieces of scrap paper (fish) other ideas DISCOVER Set a tub of water on a vinyl tablecloth or large bath towel (in case of spills). Add nets and fish and boats to the tub for sensory play. Children can catch the fish in the nets and fill the boats. Talk with the children about what you see them doing. Expand their play by asking questions, such as Do you think you could catch enough fish to fill the boat? Tub of water Vinyl tablecloth or towel Netting from bags of fruit, or pieces of tulle fabric Styrofoam peanuts or large paper clips (fish) Toy boats or plastic containers Smocks Download Deep waters from www.shinecurriculum.com/extras. Children can help read this rebus story. Cut out the fish at the bottom of page 3 of the Early Childhood leaflet and glue them on the net. We can follow Jesus wherever we go. Set out the Road poster and the Place and vehicle cards from the resource pack for children to use. 58 / 9 Jesus calls disciples January 27, 2019
bless PRAY Gather the group for a blessing. Pray: Thank you, Jesus, for being our friend. Help us show your love to each person we meet. Amen. leader s closing prayer Where do you see yourself in this story? Are you in the crowd, yearning to hear Jesus teachings? Are you an exhausted Simon, reluctantly letting those nets down one more time? Are you the friend who comes alongside the sinking boat, eager to help? Are you leaving things behind as you choose to follow Jesus? Jesus, I want to follow you. It is easy to get caught up in my work, my relationships, and my hobbies. Give me strength to set aside the things that keep me from you. Amen. SEND Sing Som landela (We Will Follow) from the Shine Early Childhood Music CD, track 8, again as you follow one another around the room. Song lyrics are at the back of this guide. Give each child a paper fish. Say: (name), follow Jesus! Make sure to send leaflets home with the children. A Spanish version of the For families page is available as a free download on the Shine website. Also, send home the Bonus Early Childhood Leaflets, which contain activities for families. Let families know that there is a free download of the song Som landela (We Will Follow) on the Shine website (www.shinecurriculum.com/music). Instructions for downloading the free song are on the back of the Early Childhood leaflet. Early Childhood leaflets Bonus Early Childhood Leaflets For families leaflet page in Spanish (optional) Shine Early Childhood Music CD CD player Paper fish to do Print copies of the For families page in Spanish from www.shinecurriculum.com/extras. (optional) Think about the spiritual climate of your classroom. Be sure to model acceptance, love, and even curiosity. By doing so, you can have healthy conversations and appreciate each other s differences and similarities in one another s spiritual journeys. Jennifer Becker Purcellville, Virginia looking ahead Save the plastic container, story figures, and blue cloth storytelling props for use in session 10. www.shinecurriculum.com Luke 5:1 11 / 59