Junior Teacher Guide August 2018 Table of Contents
Lesson Warm Up Story Activity Page August 5 Speaking Kindly of Others (based on Romans 2: 1-12) Play Our Eyes Can Play Tricks on Us Zion and Zaya Talk about God s Justice Make a key chain 3 August 12 Helping Others (based on 2 Corinthians 8: 7-15) August 19 Showing Love to Others (based on Romans 12: 9-21) August 26 Living in Peace (based on Colossians 3: 5-17) Watch Glad to Give How Good Spreads Play Love is Play Peacemakers vs Peacebreakers Zion and Zaya Talk about Sharing Gifts with People in Need Zion and Zaya Talk about Practicing Real Love Zion and Zaya Talk about Living Like Christ Make Helping Hands Make Love Chains Complete the Peace is exercise 6 9 12 Appendices Title Page Appendix A Lesson 10 Key Verse Puzzle Pieces 16 Appendix B Kindness Game 17 Appendix C Key Chain Pattern 18 Appendix D Lesson 11 Title Cards 19 Appendix E Peace Is Handout 20 2 P a g e
Lesson 10 August 5, 2018 Romans 2: 1-12 Speaking Kindly of Others Get Excited! Below are the instructions for the warm-up activity Play Our Eyes Can Play Tricks on Us. You will need three gift bags. Two gift bags should be plain and the other should have a festive design that is very eye catching. Put an exciting snack (i.e., fruit snacks, cookies, chips) in the plain bags. Put everyday items (i.e., pack of tissues, socks, cotton balls) in the eye-catching bag. Ask students to pick the bag they like the most and want to open first. Once this is done, observe their reactions. Explain to the children that we at times judge people and situations by what we see on the outside, not really knowing all the facts about who someone is or not really knowing what is happening. Key Verse Exercise Read the verse to remember aloud. There will be peace for everyone who does good. (Romans 2:9-10) Before class print copies Lesson 10 Key Verse Puzzles Pieces in Appendix A on cardstock paper (one per student). Cut out the pieces and place each set of puzzles pieces in a Ziploc bag. During class give each student a set of puzzle pieces. Tell students to put the puzzle together to show the verse to remember. Read and Learn! Read Zion and Zaya Talk about God s Justice aloud.. Zion and Zaya Talk about God s Justice Zaya Nana showed me this thoughtful quote on her email: Life is an echo. What you send out comes back. What you give you get. What you see in others exists in you. Do not judge so you will not be judged. Radiate and give love and love will come back to you. Zion Zaya, that quote is appropriate for our lesson this week. Jesus said, Judge not, that you be not judged (Matthew 7:1). In Matthew 7:3, Jesus also said, Why worry about the speck in your neighbor s eye when you have a board in your own! 3 P a g e
In chapter two of Romans, Paul addressed self-righteousness, the religious, and the so-called good people. Paul wrote about sin and the basis on which God will judge humankind: All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). But, more often than not, so-called religious, self-righteous people find it difficult to admit that they have sinned and do sin by thought, word and deed (The A.M.E. Zion Communion Ritual). Paul addressed all humankind, but he specifically addressed his message to those who judge others. It is not anyone s job to judge. Rather, we should help the lost those who are without Christ. John 5:24 says: Anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and shall not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life. In the first eleven verses of Romans, Chapter 2, Paul characterized the Jews, God s chosen people. They were not chosen to have privileged status. They were chosen by God to be a light to the nations all people, including the Gentiles to attract all people to the worship of God. But instead of fulfilling their mission, they withdrew themselves/set themselves apart from those to whom they were to be the light. They were more concerned about their status than their responsibility. They even became self-righteous, smug about their relationship with God. In fact, the Jews felt superior to everyone else and began to judge others. They knew that they would be less severely punished than the Gentiles for committing the same sin. But Paul made it clear that the Jews who are quick to judge will themselves be judged. Judging someone writes an invitation for the judger to be judged. Not only did the Jews judge others, they judged others for the same acts of which they were guilty. Their judgment of others was a way of improving, so they thought, their own self-esteem. How common this is in our day! How often do we devalue the worth of others to make ourselves look good? Paul criticized the Jews for their behavior. Then Paul emphasized the fact that such behavior only increased God s wrath against them. Paul made a revelation. Jews and Gentiles will be judged according to their activities not what they believe, but what they do. Throughout the Bible, we are reminded that our activities, not lip service, count: He (God) rewards each one of us according to what our works deserve (Psalm 62:12). And He (God) will reward everyone according to his deeds (Proverbs 24:12). The Lord searches all hearts and examines deepest motives to give to all according to their ways, according to the fruit of our doings (Jeremiah 17:10). Not all who sound religious are really good people. They may refer to me as Lord, but still won t go to heaven. For the decisive question is whether they obey my Father in heaven (Matthew 7:21). For I, the Son of Man, shall come with my angels in the glory of my father and judge each person according to his deeds (Matthew 16:27). Belief and actions go hand-in-hand. They cannot be separated. Not only does God judge on the basis of our actions, God judges impartially. God knows no partiality (Romans 2:11). 4 P a g e
Rise Up! Answers to questions in What Do You Think are underlined. Discuss how you feel when you are judged by others and when others judge you. (Answers will vary.) Complete the Superhero Challenge if time permits. Before class print copies of the Kindness Game in Appendix B (one for each pair of students). Organize the class in pairs and give each pair a copy of the gameboard. Then ask students to play the Kindness Game with their partner to help the Faithful Five practice kindness. You can use craft foam shapes as game pieces and a coin to determine the number of spaces to move (heads=2, tails=1). Below are the instructions for the Time to Create activity Make a key chain. Materials needed: Split key chain rings, 3x3 inch craft foam squares (plain), 2x2 inch craft foam squares (self-adhesive), copies of Key Chain Pattern in Appendix C (one per student), craft glue, hole punch, crayons or markers, scissors Instructions: Before class prepare craft kits for each student. The craft kit should include a plain craft foam square, a self-adhesive craft foam square, a split key chain ring and a copy of the key chain pattern. (NOTE: You will need to cut the craft foam squares to the indicated sizes.) During class ask students to color the Pray Before You Judge message on the key chain pattern and cut it out. Then glue the Pray Before You Judge message to the front of the self-adhesive craft foam square. Remove the paper backing from the self-adhesive craft foam square and place the sticky side in the center of the plain craft foam square. Punch out a circle at the top of the plain craft foam square to attach the split ring. Tell students the key chain should remind them to stop and pray before they judge others. Close the lesson with prayer. Lord, help me to not judge others and to use kind words as I treat everyone fairly. In Jesus name, Amen. 5 P a g e
Lesson 11 August 12, 2018 2 Corinthians 8: 7-15 Sharing Gifts with the Needy Get Excited! Below are the instructions for the warm-up activity Play I Am a Watch the first four minutes of the video by Kid President called Glad to Give How Good Spreads (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bh5ozeo1ao4). Key Verse Exercise Read the verse to remember aloud. If the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has. (2 Corinthians 8:12) Tell students to write the missing word in the verse to remember that has a similar meaning to words in the boxes below. eagerness talent satisfactory zeal gift all right enthusiasm ability acceptable 6 P a g e
Read and Learn! Read Zion and Zaya Talk about Sharing Gifts with People in Need aloud. Zion and Zaya Talk about Sharing Gifts with People in Need Zion The year 2017 and even into 2018 has been plagued by many disasters hurricanes, mudslides, fires, rain and snow. Zaya In 2017, the hurricanes were ferocious. Many states experienced loss of life and property Texas and Florida, to name a few. Zion Many organizations, including our church, and people put forth efforts to care for those who had lost everything. Zaya Sometimes we take for granted the simple things in life soap, toothpaste, toilet paper, and washcloths. But those who lost everything quickly understood the importance of the little things in life. When Jesus told the parable of the Last Judgment, He rewarded those who cared for others by visiting the sick, feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, giving clothing to the naked and showing hospitality to the homeless. Jesus said, Just as you did it to the least of these who are my family, you did it to me (Matthew 25:40). We are called to care for others. We are indeed our brother s keeper (Genesis 4:9). One of the events in the New Testament of the Bible that demonstrates this phrase is the action of the Macedonian Christians that included the Philippians, Thessalonians and the Bereans. These Gentile converts to Christianity were serious about their new life. They practiced what they were learning about caring for others. Even though they were poor in finances, they were rich in generosity. When they heard about the plight of the Jerusalem church, they collected funds to send to the church. Paul used the generosity of the Macedonian churches to encourage the Corinthian churches to follow their lead. The Corinthian church was wealthy, so it would not have been a hardship for them to give out of their abundance. The Macedonian Christians gave themselves to the Lord first. What a wonderful gift! Then they gave generously of what they had. Like the Macedonian Christians, you must give your best gift to the Lord. Even though you do not have much to give, you can give yourself to the Lord. You can help others by volunteering to run errands, spend time and read to senior citizens, and help siblings with their homework, to name a few things. Rise Up! Answers to questions in What Do You Think are underlined. What does brother s keeper mean? We are supposed to take care of one another. Why do you think Jesus needs us to care for others? (Answers will vary.) 7 P a g e
Complete the Superhero Challenge if time permits. Tell students the Faithful Five want to make sure children have what they need to be star students this year. They are planning a back-to-school drive. Help them by making a list of supplies you think students need to do their best in school. Below are the instructions for the Time to Create activity Make Helping Hands. Materials needed: Skin-toned construction paper, black construction paper (12x18), scissors, pencils, glue, white paper plate, crayons or markers, copies of My Actions Can Make a Difference title card in Appendix D (one per student) Instructions: Ask students two trace both of their hands onto the skin-toned construction paper and then cut them out. Then use a pencil or marker to write an act of kindness on each finger. Illustrate one act of kindness on the paper plate. Glue the hands, paper plate and title card on the black construction paper as shown in the figure below. My Actions Can Make a Difference Close the lesson with prayer. Lord, help me to think of others and use what you have given me to bless them. In Jesus name, Amen. 8 P a g e
Lesson 12 August 19, 2018 Acts 9: 10-20 Showing Love to Others Get Excited! Below are the instructions for the warm-up activity Play Love is Before class write each of the following words on seven large hearts (that is, one per heart). kind, mean, nice, ugly, helping others, sharing, doing good To begin the activity, say Love is. and let a student select a heart. The student must explain the reason that heart was selected. If mean and ugly are selected, explain that is not what God intended as love. Key Verse Exercise Read the verses to remember aloud. Love one another with mutual affection. (Romans 12:10) Ask students to color the pixels to form the missing word in the verse to remember. The first letter is done. 9 P a g e
Read and Learn! Read Zion and Zaya Talk about Practicing Real Love aloud. Zion and Zaya Talk about Practicing Real Love Zaya One of the things our Momma always tells us before we leave the house is Behave yourself. Zion She and Nana taught us good manners how to meet and talk to people, how to eat properly, how to respect others. Zaya Yes, displaying good manners is important to relating to others. Zion In today s lesson, Paul teaches Christians how to behave as they relate to each other in church. Paul lists a number of behaviors that would make a near-perfect Christian: Your love must be real. Hate what is evil. Hold on to what is good (Romans 12:9). When you say that you love someone, you must really mean it and show it in your actions. Words are not enough. Love each other like brothers and sisters. Give your brothers and sisters more honor than you want for yourselves (12:10). We are to care for our brothers and sisters with great compassion. We are to esteem others better than ourselves. We must put others first. Do not be lazy but work hard. Serve the Lord with all your heart (12:11). Whatever we do, we should give it our best effort. We serve the Lord with all our heart when we do for others. Be joyful because you have hope. Be patient when trouble comes. Pray at all times (12:12). Joy and patience are fruit of the Spirit. Joy is the gratefulness of love, while patience is the fortitude of love. We should pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) that is, a prayer should always be in our hearts and on our minds. Share with God s people who need help. Bring strangers in need into your home (Romans 12:13). We need to contribute to the needs of the less fortunate people inside and outside the church. Remember, the first church lived by this principle. Those who had much, made donations so no one would be without (Acts 4:32-37). Wish good for those who do bad things to you. Wish them well and do not curse them (Romans 12:14). Be happy with those who are happy. Be sad with those who are sad (Romans 12:15). Even though it is easier to be sensitive to someone s feelings when a person is sad, we must also make every effort to be happy about another person s success. Live together in peace with each other. Do not be proud but make friends with those who seem unimportant. Do not think how smart you are (Romans 12:16-18). Paul was warning Christians about being arrogant and proud. Paul said it this way in Romans 12:3 Don t think more highly of yourself than you ought. Everyone has something to offer. If someone does wrong to you, do not pay him back for doing wrong to him. Try to do what is right (Romans 12:17, 19). We are not to retaliate when someone wrongs us. We must show by example what is right. 10 P a g e
Do your best to live in peace with everyone (12:18). Wait for God to punish them with His anger (12:20). God said, Vengeance is mine, I will repay (12:19). Let God fight your battles! Then Paul tells us as Christians what to do. It echoes what Jesus taught in the parable of the Last Judgment (Matthew 25:31-46). If your enemy is hungry, feed him, If your enemy is thirsty, give him a drink (Romans 12:20). Paul admonishes us to do good to those who do evil to us. We should not do evil, but defeat evil by doing good (12:21). Rise Up! Answers to questions in What Do You Think are underlined. List and discuss the behaviors Christians must practice. (Answers will vary.) Complete the Superhero Challenge if time permits. Tell students the Faithful Five are learning how to show love. You can show one of the video clips below or choose one of your own so students can determine how love was at work. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6u3ld_6cx-k (Kids Talk about Loving Others) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlyzxrxwigw (Love in Action) Below are the instructions for the Time to Create activity Make Love Chains. Materials needed: Strips of construction paper (seven per student), pens or markers, stapler or tape Instructions: Provide the students with seven strips of construction paper. Ask them to write a way they can show love to someone at home, school, church and the community on each strip. After they have finished writing on the strips, staple or tape them together to make a paper chain telling them that they are binding together their commitment to God and themselves so that they will show love to others during the week. Close the lesson with prayer. Dear Lord, help me to show love to everyone, even if they don t show love to me, because you always love me. In Jesus Name, Amen. 11 P a g e
Lesson 13 August 26, 2018 Colossians 3: 5-17 Living in Peace Get Excited! Below are the instructions for the warm-up activity Play Peacemakers vs Peacebreakers. Draw the following table on a large poster board or flip chart paper. Peacemakers are people who. Vs. Peacebreakers are people who Write the words and phrases listed below on post-it squares. Ask students to stick the correct ones under the appropriate section on the chart. are jealous help others are mean to others follow the rules share don t care are kind and compassionate lie Key Verse Exercise Read the verse to remember aloud. Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus. (Colossians 3:17) Tell students to trace the correct path to complete the verse to remember. 12 P a g e
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Read and Learn! Read Zion and Zaya Talk about Living Like Christ aloud. Zion and Zaya Talk about Living Like Christ Zaya Hello, Junior scholars! Have you ever participated in a fashion show? Zion If so, you probably modeled the latest fashions. Zaya But the only thing wrong with the latest fashions is that they soon go out of style. Zion In our lesson today, we are encouraged to wear clothes from God, the Master Fashion Designer! Zaya Not only does God design our fashions, God gives us instructions on how to live. Before Paul gave believers the way of life they must follow, he admonished them to get rid of the negatives in their lives. He wrote, in Colossians 4:5, Put to death fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed. Paul reminded the believers then and us now that the wrath of God is coming (Col. 3:6). He also told the believers in verse 8 to take off like clothing, anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy and filthy language from their lives. Believers must develop patterns in the way they do and say things and live in the new creation by the power of the Holy Spirit. God is the Master Fashion Designer! Paul reminds us to be noticeably Christian by our actions and attitudes. We must clothed ourselves in the attire that lets people see our new nature we are new creations, chosen by God and set apart to be examples to those who do not know. God has created specially-designed garments for us to model on the runways of our lives! God calls us to participate in God s special fashion show. God s fashions never go out of style! In Colossians 3:12, COMPASSION is the first garment. Compassion is the dress of concern for others. It has sleeves to embrace those who need a hug. It has a wide skirt to shelter those who feel left out. KINDNESS is a pair of gloves that lend a hand when and where there is a need. HUMILITY is a hat that protects the mind from arrogance and egotistical thoughts that lead to bad behavior. MEEKNESS/GENTLENESS is a shirt that wears a mild-mannered heart on its sleeve. PATIENCE is a pair of shoes that is willing to walk with others, no matter how long it takes. LOVE is the belt that ties all of the garment virtues in the outfit together. These characteristics represented in God s fashion show are some of the fruit of the Spirit Paul listed in Galatians 5:22-23. As we model these special garments, we must let the peace of God rule in our hearts, the peace that only God can give: And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). Also, we must let the Word of God dwell in our hearts. We must be diligent in studying God s Word, the Bible. We must be examples for others as we live according to God s Word. Matthew 14 P a g e
5:16 says: Let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Studying and keeping God s word in our hearts will cause us to praise God in hymns and spiritual songs. We will sing out of gratitude for what God has done, is doing and will do in our lives. Through our praise and worship, we please and glorify God. Colossians 3:17 is a simple and clear instruction for the Christian life: And whatever you do, in word and deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. We must do everything eat, drink, walk, talk, study, sing in every aspect of our daily lives to the glory of God. Others should see Jesus in us. We are to be so clothed with Jesus Christ that when the world sees us, they will see JESUS in us. We are Jesus representatives and must bring honor to His name. Rise Up! Answers to questions in What Do You Think are underlined. Select a proverb or psalm to give to someone as encouragement. (Allow a few students to share their selection.) Complete the Superhero Challenge if time permits. Ask the class to sit in a circle. Use a ruler as a talking stick. Speak into the talking stick and tell students the Faithful Five want their peers to learn peaceful strategies to settle disagreements. We are in this peer circle to talk about the best ways to resolve conflicts. The only rule is that you can only talk when you have the talking stick. (NOTE: This will help to ensure everyone gets to speak without being interrupted.) Below are the instructions for the Time to Create activity Complete the Peace is exercise. Materials needed: Copies of the Peace Is handout in Appendix E (one per student), pencils, crayons or markers Instructions: Give each student a copy of the Peace Is handout. Brainstorm with the students as to what peace is. Then have them complete the handout with at least 2-3 examples. Students should also illustrate what peace looks like at the bottom of the handout. Close the lesson with prayer. Dear Lord, help my mind to always have peace. Show me how to stay away from arguments and other behaviors that keep me from showing your love to others. In Jesus Name, Amen. 15 P a g e
Appendix A Lesson 10 Key Verse Puzzle Pieces There will be PEACE FOR EVERYONE who does good. Romans 2:9-10 16 P a g e
Appendix B Kindness Game You keep your cool when you must wait your turn. Move ahead 1 17 P a g e
Appendix C Key Chain Pattern 2x2 3x3 2x2 3x3 18 P a g e
Appendix D Lesson 11 Title Cards 19 P a g e
Appendix E Peace Is Handout PEACE IS By I know that PEACE is I know that PEACE is I know that PEACE is 20 P a g e