First Look April 2, 2017 April 2, 2017, Week 1 Small Group, Preschool Basic Truth: Jesus wants to be my friend forever. Key Question: Who is the best? Bottom Line: Jesus is the best! Memory Verse: God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son. John 3:16, NIRV Bible Story Focus: Jesus shows me I can serve others. Washing Feet John 13:3-17 Make It Fun (Introductory Activities, 10 minutes) 1. Wash Those Feet What You Need: A small plastic tub, water, dishwashing soap, foam feet, washable chalk, small sponges, and paper towels NOTE: ALWAYS monitor children around water. When you are finished with this activity, pour the water out or place the bin of water out of reach of children. What You Do: Before the Activity: Pour about three inches of water and a drop or two of dishwashing soap into the bottom of the plastic tub. During the Activity: Pass out a foam foot to each child to color with chalk. When finished, let the children take turns washing their foot with a sponge. When finished, let the children lay out their foam feet to dry on paper towels. What You Say: During the Activity: Do your feet ever get dirty when you re wearing your flip-flops or sandals outside? (Pause.) When they get dirty, what does your mom or dad help you do? (Pause.) Wash them! I thought it would be fun to wash some feet today. First, let s color our feet. Then we ll wash them off in the water. After the Activity: Great job scrubbing those feet! In our Bible story today, I want you to listen closely to see exactly how Jesus served His friends before they sat down to eat! I wonder if it has anything to do with feet. We ll find out soon! 2. Bible Story Read Washing the Disciples Feet on pages 437-441 in The Beginners Bible. Curriculum Materials for 3- through 5-year-olds 2015 The rethink Group. All rights reserved. www.thinkorange.com 1
First Look April 2, 2017, Week 1 Small Group, Preschool Make It Stick (Application Activities, 15 minutes) 1. Ways to Serve What You Need: Serving Cards and If/Then Scenarios for Older Children Activity Pages, bean bags, and floor tape What You Do: Before the Activity: Copy the Serving Cards and the If/Then Scenarios for Older Children onto white cardstock and cut apart the scenario cards. Place the Serving Cards face up in a grid pattern on the floor in an open area of the room. Mark a line for the children to stand behind by placing a piece of floor tape on the floor about two feet from the card grid. During the Activity: Line up the children behind the taped line. Let the children take turns throwing a beanbag onto a Serving Card. Help them identify the card and then act it out for the rest of the group. Repeat, letting each child take a turn acting out a way to serve. If you have older children, let them draw an If/Then card for you to read. Then ask the children to identify how they could serve by throwing their beanbag on the matching picture. What You Say: During the Activity: Today I want to talk about different ways we can serve! Do you see these cards? I want you to stand here (point to the tape) and throw a beanbag onto a card. Then I want you to act out the way you can serve from the card. (If you have older kids.) I want you to draw a card from the stack here. I will read it aloud and then I want you to choose one of the ways to serve from the pictures on the floor and try to toss the beanbag on that picture. After the Activity: What an awesome group of servers! Way to go everyone. I LOVED watching you act out how you would serve others. Jesus showed us how to serve others in our story today by washing feet. We can serve like Jesus did too. Who is the best? [Bottom Line] Jesus is the best! 2. Washing Feet Craft What You Need: Wash Feet Activity Page, small paper plate, blue circle paper, gauze, story reference label What You Do: Before the Activity: Hand out a paper plate, a blue circle, gauze and feet to each child. Curriculum Materials for 3- through 5-year-olds 2015 The rethink Group. All rights reserved. www.thinkorange.com 3
First Look Curriculum Materials for 3- through 5-year-olds 2015 The rethink Group. All rights reserved. www.thinkorange.com April 2, 2017, Week 1 Small Group, Preschool During the Activity: Encourage the children to color the feet and add the blue circle and the gauze to their paper plate. Complete the craft with the story reference sticker. After the Activity: Send the craft home with each child. What You Say: Before the Activity: In our Bible story today, we talked about Jesus washing His friends feet. We are going to make a picture of our Bible story for you to take home and show your family! During the Activity: We are going to start by gluing this blue paper to your plate. What shape is the blue paper? (Allow for answers.) A circle, right! Now we're going to color our paper feet and add them to our plate. Look, it looks like we're giving our paper feet a bath! What do you need when you take a bath, that's right, a wash cloth. Let's add this gauze as a wash cloth for our feet in the craft. Now let's add on our label so we'll remember what story to turn to when we find it again in the Bible. After the Activity: Fantastic! Now we have pictures of washed feet, just like Jesus friends feet, that you can take home and show your families. You can tell them that God sent His Son Jesus to us because He loves us SO much! [Bottom Line] Jesus is the BEST! Who is the best? [Bottom Line] Jesus is the best! 3. Books of the Bible What You Do: Review the books of the Bible, Matthew Philemon, with the children. Practice saying them in funny voices (whispering, squeaking like a mouse, etc.), motor activity (jumping, marching, etc.), or with hand motions (clapping, chomping like an alligator, etc.). What You Say: OK, now we are going to learn the New Testament Books of the Bible. Do you know who we learn about in the New Testament? That s right! We learn about Jesus! Let s practice! Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James. Can you say it with me? Make It Real (Small Group Application & Prayer, 5 minutes) Small Group Time What You Need: Paperclip Memory Verse Card (from the Week One Activity Pages on the Website) in your Bible at John 3:16. Provide a journal and a fun-shaped pen for each small group. SMALL GROUP LEADER (SGL): Do you think Jesus washed His friends feet because He liked washing dirty feet? No, I don t think so either. No one really likes washing dirty feet. Jesus washed His friends feet because He wanted to show them what it looks like to serve and love one another. Sometimes the best way to show someone you love them is by doing something for them that is hard for you to do, like washing feet. That is one of the things that make Jesus the best. He came to show us what real love looks like. So when I ask you, Who is the best? I want you to say, [Bottom Line] Jesus is the best. Got it? Who is the best? 4
First Look April 2, 2017, Week 1 Small Group, Preschool CHILDREN and SGL: [Bottom Line] Jesus is the best! SGL: Who is the best? CHILDREN and SGL: [Bottom Line] Jesus is the best! SGL: He sure is! God sent us Jesus, the very best, because He loves us. Jesus showed us what it looks like to love and serve others so we will know how to do it too. Our new Bible verse will help us remember that God sent us Jesus because He loves us. Stand up and I ll teach you the words and motions. (Open Bible to memory verse card.) Our verse says (read verse from the Bible): God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, John 3:16. Now let s say it with the motions. Just say what I say and do what I do. CHILDREN and SGL: God (point up) loved (hug yourself) the world (raise your arms overhead to form a circle) so much (stretch your arms out as far as possible) that He gave (place your hands together with palms up in front of you as if you re offering something) His only (point up) Son (hold your arms as if you re cradling and rocking a baby), John 3:16. (Open your hands like a book.) (Repeat several times.) SGL: Ahh, I love this verse! I m so glad we re learning it together. Now come sit with me. It s time to write in our prayer journal, and I know exactly what we need to pray for today. (Open prayer journal and hold your fun pen) I want everyone to think of one thing you can do at home to show your family that you love them. Think of a way you can serve them like Jesus served His friends. Maybe you can help your brother or sister clean their room or help your mom or dad with a chore around the house or even make a special snack for the family. Think about it, and when I say your name tell me one way you can serve your family to show them how much you love them. (Write each child s name and what they say beside their name. Remember to print the words they say so the children can recognize their names and the letters.) Wow! These are great ideas! Your family will see how much you love them when you do these things. Let s close our eyes and talk to God. Would anyone like to pray before I pray? (Give each child who wants to pray the opportunity to do so.) Now I will pray. Curriculum Materials for 3- through 5-year-olds 2015 The rethink Group. All rights reserved. www.thinkorange.com 5
First Look April 2, 2017, Week 1 Small Group, Preschool Prayer SGL: Dear God, serving others can be hard, but we want to serve others like Jesus did so they know we love them. Jesus is the best and we are so thankful You gave Him to us to be our friend and to show us how to do what is right. Please help [child s name] to (say what is listed). (Repeat for each child.) Help us all to serve even when it s hard. We love You, God. In Jesus name, amen. Get Ready to Dismiss (Think ORANGE) Place take-home creations and this month s Parent Cue in each child s paper bag. Greet parents at the door and tell them that this month preschoolers are learning that [Bottom Line] Jesus is the best! Encourage parents to repeat the Bottom Line at home and help their child understand that [Bottom Line] Jesus is the best! Encourage parents to use the activities found in Parent CUE to reinforce this month s Bottom Line: [Bottom Line] Jesus is the best! AND this month s Memory Verse. Curriculum Materials for 3- through 5-year-olds 2015 The rethink Group. All rights reserved. www.thinkorange.com 6
Cleaning up your toys Serving Cards (1 of 6) B&W Ways to Serve April Week 1 Copy on white cardstock. One set per activity.
Setting the table Serving Cards (2 of 6) B&W Ways to Serve April Week 1 Copy on white cardstock. One set per activity.
Putting away your shoes Serving Cards (3 of 6) B&W Ways to Serve April Week 1 Copy on white cardstock. One set per activity.
Moving your bike out of the driveway Serving Cards (4 of 6) B&W Ways to Serve April Week 1 Copy on white cardstock. One set per activity.
Cleaning up trash in the park Serving Cards (5 of 6) B&W Ways to Serve April Week 1 Copy on white cardstock. One set per activity.
Baking cookies for a neighbor Serving Cards (6 of 6) B&W Ways to Serve April Week 1 Copy on white cardstock. One set per activity.
Your find out your neighbor is sick. Your Dad will be home from work in a few minutes. Your Mom is coming in with groceries but your shoes are in the doorway. You head to the park to play with your family. It s almost time for your family to sit down for dinner! Your Dad tells your little brother he has to pick up all his toys before we can go outside. If/Then Scenarios for Older Children Ways to Serve April Week 1 Copy on cardstock and cut apart. One set of cards per activity.
Jesus is the Best! Jesus shows me I can serve others. Washing Feet John 13:3-17 Wash Feet Washing Feet Craft April Week 1 Copy on white cardstock. One page per child.
Memory Verse April 2017 God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son. John 3:16, NIRV God (point up) loved (hug yourself) the world (raise arms overhead to form a circle) so much (stretch arms out as far as possible) that He gave (place hands together with palms up in front as if offering something) His one and only (point up) Son. (hold arms as if cradling and rocking a baby) John 3:16 (hold hands open like a book) Memory Verse April 2017 God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son. John 3:16, NIRV God (point up) loved (hug yourself) the world (raise arms overhead to form a circle) so much (stretch arms out as far as possible) that He gave (place hands together with palms up in front as if offering something) His one and only (point up) Son. (hold arms as if cradling and rocking a baby) John 3:16 (hold hands open like a book) Memory Verse April 2017 God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son. John 3:16, NIRV God (point up) loved (hug yourself) the world (raise arms overhead to form a circle) so much (stretch arms out as far as possible) that He gave (place hands together with palms up in front as if offering something) His one and only (point up) Son. (hold arms as if cradling and rocking a baby) John 3:16 (hold hands open like a book) Memory Verse April 2017 God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son. John 3:16, NIRV God (point up) loved (hug yourself) the world (raise arms overhead to form a circle) so much (stretch arms out as far as possible) that He gave (place hands together with palms up in front as if offering something) His one and only (point up) Son. (hold arms as if cradling and rocking a baby) John 3:16 (hold hands open like a book) Memory Verse Card Make It True and Make It Real April Week 1 Copy on light cardstock, cut along dotted lines, and paperclip in Bibles at appropriate verse.
APRIL 2017 SMALL TALK BASIC TRUTH JESUS WANTS TO BE MY FRIEND FOREVER. KEY QUESTION WHO IS THE BEST? BOTTOM LINE JESUS IS THE BEST! MEMORY VERSE God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son. John 3:16, NIRV WEEK 1 Bible Story Focus: Washing Feet JOHN 13:3-17 Jesus demonstrates how to serve one another by washing the disciples feet. WEEK 2 Bible Story Focus: Palm Sunday MATTHEW 21:1-16 The people praise Jesus while spreading their coats and palm branches on the road as He enters Jerusalem for the Passover. WEEK 3 Bible Story Focus: Easter MATTHEW 26:20-30; 27:40-50; 28:1-7 Jesus has the Last Supper with the disciples, later dies on a cross and is buried in a tomb. Three days later, Jesus comes back, just like He promised! Jesus is alive! WEEK 4 Bible Story Focus: Peter the Rock MATTHEW 16:17-18 Jesus tells Peter that He will use him to build the Church and it will do great things. WEEK 5 Bible Story Focus: The Great Commission MATTHEW 28:19-20 Jesus tells His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them everything He has commanded them. 2017 Orange. All rights reserved. www.thinkorange.com
APRIL 2017 MORNING TIME This month let your child wake up to, Jesus is alive and He s our friend forever! Yay, Jesus! CAR TIME Tell your child to count the people he sees out the window as you drive. Lead him in saying, One, two, God loves you! each time he sees two people. It s a fun way to remember that God loves the world. BATH TIME Cut a heart shape out of a new pink kitchen sponge and add it to bath time this week. Tell your child that a heart reminds us of love. When Jesus died and went away (cover the heart sponge up with a wash cloth) everyone was very sad. But then Jesus came back (uncover the sponge) just like He promised! Jesus went away (cover sponge) and then He came back (uncover sponge)! (Repeat several times.) CUDDLE TIME Cuddle up with your child and pray, Dear God, thank you for the Church. We love being a part of a group of people who love you and help one another. I pray that [child s name] and I will help others know that Jesus is the best so they can be a part of the Church too. Help us to do our part in the Church to love others and do great things. We love You, God! In Jesus name we pray, amen. PLAY TIME Go to your local discount store and buy some 4x6 picture frames, 4x6 unruled index cards, and small spring-themed stickers. Write this month s Bible verse on the cards and let your child use crayons and stickers to decorate them. Once your child is done decorating, place the cards in picture frames and help her deliver them to her friends. It s a special way to tell our friends that Jesus is the best! J-E-S-U-S! We love Jesus. He s the best! That s what your child will be hearing this month. Jesus is the BEST. He is. Thousands of years ago, Jesus died for each and every one of us. That means He died for you, too. In the midst of all the fun that revolves around Easter, try to take some time to read the Easter story. I m not talking about the board book version you read to your child (although that is a good one). I mean opening your Bible to Matthew 26 and reading through Matthew 28. Dive into the Word and read about how much Jesus loves you. Jesus loves you, He died for you, He came back just like He said He would, AND He wants to be your friend forever. He wants to be your friend and your child s friend. That s what we re celebrating this month. That s why we ll be chanting all month long: J-E-S-U-S! We love Jesus. He s the best! The community at TheParentCue.org was created to help parents do family better. With blog discussions, podcasts, advice, and inspiration, Parent Cue prompts us to intentionally connect with our families regularly. Since none of us need more to do in our day, Parent Cue helps us capture the time we re already spending together. There s an app for that: Parent Cue App centered around a monthly topic, this app sends weekly CUEs that remind us to connect with our kids whether at home or on the go. You can even watch Bible story videos during drive time using the app. 2017 Orange. All rights reserved. www.thinkorange.com