Jesus... Session 1 Lessons for the Leader Why do you teach children? Is it because of your love for them? How do you demonstrate your love to children and their families? Read Mark 10:13-16. Who brought the children to Jesus? Why do you think people wanted Jesus to touch their children? How important is physical touch to children? Who brings children to your church? What are they hoping the children will receive? In what ways are they also hoping to receive a "touch from Jesus"? Think about the disciples' rebuke of the people. In what ways are people ridiculed because of their children? What can we learn from the example of the disciples? What can we learn from Jesus' example? In what ways are children welcomed in your church? Recall that Jesus used the actions of the disciples to teach the kingdom of heaven belongs to people who accept it with childlike faith. Children believe the people they trust. In this passage, the children's trust was evident in the way they were willing for Jesus to draw them near to Him. The children felt loved and accepted by Jesus. Do the children in your ministry feel loved and accepted? How do you show children you love them? Remember, God loves everyone, regardless of age, skin color, height, weight, or special needs. No one is excluded from His gift of salvation, unless a person chooses not to believe. Praise and worship God for loving us so much He sent His Son to give us an opportunity to make our relationship with Him right. Pray for each child by name. Ask God to help you love each child as God loves him. What do these symbols mean? Application Activities Format: 1t Follow the numbers with arrows for a 30-minute, large group plus 20-minute Application Activities format. Large Group Format: 1 Follow all the numbers for a 45- to 60-minute large group only format. Loves All People Focus Passage: Mark 10:13-16 Key Bible Verse: Mark 10:14 Life Application I can trust Jesus loves people of all ages. Session at a Glance Introduction to Worship (8 minutes) Greet the Children Complete "Friend Fill-In" Worship (30 minutes/45 minutes) Sing "There Is None Like You" Sing "The Happy Song" Learn the Key Bible Verse Pray Show "Backyard Explorers" Video #1 Tell the Bible Story Replay the Bible Story Use Worship Guides Sing "You Are My All in All"/Receive Offering/Pray Play "Let Them Come"/Make Life Application Guide the Children to Cheer Application Activities (20 minutes) Wrap-Up (10 minutes) OK to copy. Page 1 of 16
Introduction to Worship 1tGreet the Children Print and copy "Jesus Parent Connection" (CD) (1 per child). Distribute copies of "Jesus Parent Connection" as parents arrive with their children. 2tComplete "Friend Fill-In" Pencils, scissors Print, copy, and cut apart "Friend Fill-In" (CD) (1 per child). Distribute "Friend Fill-In" and pencils. Explain: "Ask a friend to read the statements. If a statement applies to her, ask her to write her name on the line. Continue until you collect as many names as possible." Read aloud the statements and allow the children to indicate if the statements apply to them. Say: "God created each of us to be unique, but there is one thing we all have in common God loves each of us." Worship 3 Sing "There Is None Like You" (DVD, 3 minutes) 4tSing "The Happy Song" (DVD, 3 minutes) 5tLearn the Key Bible Verse (4 minutes) Red poster board, scissors, marker, tape, sticky notes, pencils Cut a large heart shape from the poster board. Write Who Does Jesus Love? on the heart. Distribute sticky notes and pencils. Direct the children to write their names on their sticky notes. Guide the children to locate Mark 10:14 in their Bibles. Select a volunteer to read aloud the verse. Ask: "How does Jesus feel about children?" Say: "Jesus loves everyone. He wants us to tell people He loves them." Attach the heart to a wall. Invite the children to state aloud "Jesus loves" and state their names as they place their sticky notes on the heart. Reread Mark 10:14. 6tPray (1 minute) Thank Jesus for His love. 7t Show "Backyard Explorers" Video #1 (DVD, 7 minutes) Show the video. Say: "In the video, Jacob, Jack, and Elizabeth were reminded that Jesus showed love to people of all ages. They also discovered ways people demonstrate love for other people." Ask: "What are some ways we can follow Jesus' example and show love to people of all ages?" 8tTell the Bible Story (6 minutes) Print and display "Jesus Loves Children" Teaching Picture (CD). Call attention to the teaching picture. Say: "I want you to imagine you are with your parents as they bring you to meet Jesus. Listen to what happens." Open your Bible to Mark 10. Tell the Bible story in your own words. Jesus Loved the Children Based on Mark 10:13-16 As Jesus taught, a crowd gathered around Him. The people wanted to hear what Jesus was saying. They listened as He taught them about God. Some people brought their children to Jesus so He might touch and bless them. The disciples were afraid the children were bothering Jesus, so they rebuked those bringing the children and turned them away. When Jesus saw the way the disciples treated the children, He became upset. "Let the little children come to Me," Jesus said. "Don't stop them. This is what the kingdom of God is all about. I promise you this, whoever does not enter the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." Jesus took the children in His arms, put His hands on them, and blessed them. Loves All People Page 2 of 16
9 Replay the Bible Story (5 minutes) Say: "Let's play out the Bible story. I'll pretend to be Jesus. The other teachers will be the disciples. You be the children." Continue: "Slowly, as I talk, begin to walk toward me, pretending you want me to touch you. Listen to what the 'disciples' tell you and return to your seat." Play out the story. Ask: "How did you feel being told to return to your seat? How do you think the children felt being told to leave Jesus alone? How did Jesus show He loved the children? How would you have felt having Jesus touch you?" Say: "We can trust that Jesus loves all people of all ages." 10tUse Worship Guides (6 minutes) Worship Guides, buttons Distribute Worship Guides. Guide the children to complete "How Do You Know?" Discuss ways Jesus showed He loved and cared for people. Invite the children to complete "Finish the Story." Ask: "What can you say to people who make these statements or feel the way these people feel?" Discuss ways children can help people understand Jesus loves them. 11t Sing "You Are My All in All" (DVD, 3 minutes)/receive Offering/Pray 12 Play "Let Them Come"/Make Life Application (4 minutes) Pennies, scissors, tape, scrap paper, table Print and assemble "Let Them Come Cube" (CD) (1 per team). Form teams of five or six children. Give each team a cube and 50 pennies. Say: "I'll ask a question. Teams will roll the cube if someone from their team answers correctly. Your team will place that many pennies on the table. The object is to get rid of all your pennies." Ask "Let Them Come" questions. Invite the children to answer, roll their cubes, and place pennies on the table. Continue as time permits. Explain: "These pennies look alike, but they were not all made at the same time. Each penny has a date on it and has value (or worth). The statement 'In God We Trust' is also on the pennies. We can trust each of us has value to God. We can trust God to love and care for us." 13tGuide the Children to Cheer (2 minutes) Say: "Let's cheer, 'Jesus loves me! Yes, He does!'" Form two teams. Direct Team 1 to stand and shout, "Jesus loves me!" Instruct Team 2 to stand and shout, "Yes, He does!" Repeat several times. 14t Transition to Application Activities or Wrap-Up "Let Them Come" Questions Why did people crowd around Jesus? (They wanted to hear Him teach and see His miracles.) Why did the disciples stop children from getting close to Jesus? (They may have thought He was too busy and important to be bothered by children.) Why did Jesus get upset with the disciples? (The disciples turned the children away, but Jesus loved and wanted to see the children.) How did Jesus treat the children? (He put His arms around them, placed His hands on them, and blessed them.) Does Jesus care about children today? (Yes) How can you talk to Jesus? (Answers will vary.) How does Jesus show He loves you? (Answers will vary.) How can you show you love Jesus? (Answers will vary.) Quote Mark 10:14. In what book of the Bible is today's Bible story located? (Mark) Jesus... Session 1 Page 3 of 16
Wrap-Up (Large Group Only Format) Wrap-Up (Application Activities Format) 15 Sing "Whoa!" (DVD, 3 minutes) 16 Play "All Ages Shuffle" (5 minutes) Chairs Guide the children to arrange their chairs in a large circle. Assign each child an "age" (preschooler, child, teenager, adult). Explain: "Jesus loves people of all ages. In this game, the person in the middle will say, 'Jesus loves ' and fill in the blank with an age group. If that is your age group, you must change chairs with someone in your group. The last person standing will be in the middle. The person in the middle may call out two or three age groups. Everyone with the age group called must change chairs. If the person in the center says, 'Jesus loves all ages,' everyone must change seats." Play as time permits. Conclude: "Playing games is fun. In our game, we all had different ages. How does it make you feel to know Jesus loves people of all ages?" 15tSing "Whoa!" (DVD, 3 minutes) 16tShare Application Activities (5 minutes) Invite the children to share their Application Activity experiences. ttarts and Crafts Kites ttdramatic Play "Jesus Loves the Children" Puppets ttgames All Ages Shuffle ttexploration and Discovery Missionaries to Children 17tSing "Better Than Life" (DVD, 3 minutes) 18tDismiss the Children to Their Parents 17 Sing "Better Than Life" (DVD, 3 minutes) 18 Dismiss the Children to Their Parents Jesus... Session 1 Worship KidStyle Children's Edition Leader Guide, Volume 3 2013 LifeWay. Page 4 of 16
Application Activities Select from the following choices. Each choice is designed for 20 minutes of small group time. Construction paper, ruler, dowel sticks, clear tape, markers, crepe paper streamers, string, hole punch, items to decorate kites Print "Kite" (CD). Teacher Tip Practice folding the kite before the session. Worship Through Arts and Crafts Kites Ask: "What is one thing we can trust is always true? We can trust Jesus loves people of all ages." Review the Bible story and key Bible verse, Mark 10:14. Say: "Jesus taught about faith, trust, and obedience to God. He wants us to tell people how much He loves them. Let's make kites with 'Jesus loves you' printed on them." Distribute supplies. Lead the children to make their kites. Invite the children to decorate their kites. Say: "You can use your kite to tell people how much Jesus loves them." Discuss various places and ways children can tell people how much Jesus loves them. Pray for opportunities to tell people about Jesus. Scissors, markers, various craft materials to decorate puppets, heavyweight paper Print "Children Puppets" (CD). Copy several on heavyweight paper for each child. Print "Children Pictures" (CD). Teaching Tip Permit the children to make puppets that look like themselves. They can use their puppets to create a drama about how much Jesus loves them. Worship Through Dramatic Play "Jesus Loves the Children" Puppets Ask: "What is one thing we can trust is always true? We can trust Jesus loves people of all ages." Review the Bible story and key Bible verse, Mark 10:14. Say: "Jesus taught about faith, trust, and obedience to God. He wants us to tell people how much He loves them. Let's make finger puppets of children." Display "Children Pictures." Discuss the different clothing of the children. Distribute "Children Puppets" and supplies. Lead the children to cut out and decorate their puppets to resemble the children in the pictures. Guide the children to place their fingers through the openings to serve as the puppets' legs. Dramatize the Bible story or current-day situations where children discover how much Jesus loves them. Say: "You can use your puppets to tell people about Jesus." Discuss various places and ways children can tell people how much Jesus loves them. Pray for opportunities to tell people about Jesus. Jesus... Session 1 Page 5 of 16
Chairs Worship Through Games All Ages Shuffle Guide the children to arrange their chairs in a large circle. Assign each child an "age" (preschooler, child, teenager, adult). Explain: "Jesus loves people of all ages. In this game, the person in the middle will say, 'Jesus loves ' and fill in the blank with an age group. If that is your age group, you must change chairs with someone in your group. The last person standing will be in the middle. The person in the middle may call out two or three age groups. Everyone with the age group called must change chairs. If the person in the center says, 'Jesus loves all ages,' everyone must change seats." Ask: "Sound easy? Let's make it a little more challenging. Preschoolers, you must crawl to a chair. Children, you must skip to a chair. Teenagers, you must pretend to drive. Adults, you must take your time on a nice stroll to the chair." Play as time permits. Review the Bible story and key Bible verse, Mark 10:14. Say: "Jesus taught about faith, trust, and obedience to God. He wants us to tell people how much He loves them." Discuss various places and ways children can tell people how much Jesus loves them. Pray for opportunities to tell people about Jesus. Variety of fruits (apples, oranges, pears, strawberries, grapes, and so forth), napkins, bowls, spoons Prepare a fruit salad. Post an allergy chart with all fruits listed. Print "Missionary Stories" (CD). Worship Through Exploration and Discovery Missionaries to Children Guide the children to wash their hands. Say: "No matter where you go in the world, you will find many different types of fruits. Some countries have unique fruits. Let's enjoy a fruit salad." Serve the fruit salad. Ask: "What is one thing we can trust is always true? We can trust Jesus loves people of all ages." Review the Bible story and key Bible verse, Mark 10:14. Say: "Jesus taught about faith, trust, and obedience to God. He wants us to tell people how much He loves them. Did you know missionaries have an important role in teaching children about Jesus? Let's discover some things about missionaries and their role with children." Read aloud the first "Missionary Story." Discuss how the children can be like J. Talk about what it would be like to live and minister in China. Continue for the additional stories as time allows. Pray for opportunities to tell people about Jesus. Worship KidStyle Children's Edition Leader Guide, Volume 3 2013 LifeWay. OK to copy. Page 6 of 16
Jesus Loved the Children (Mark 10:13-16) Jesus... Session 1 Douglas Klauba Page 7 of 16
Worship KidStyle Children's Edition Parent Connection Parents: Check out what your child is learning about in Worship KidStyle! The information on this page will help you carry out your role as your child's primary spiritual developer by continuing the discussion we have in class. Jesus... This unit will help children learn that God sent Jesus to be the Savior of the world. Session 1: Loves All People The Big Idea: I can trust Jesus loves people of all ages. The Bible Story: Jesus Loved the Children (Mark 10:13-16) Key Bible Verse: Mark 10:14 Connecting Points: Read aloud Mark 10:13-16. Say: "Jesus not only loves all children, He loves everyone the same, regardless of their age, gender, skin color, or anything else that makes them unique!" Ask: "What are some ways our family can tell people how much Jesus loves them?" Suggest your family make sweet treats to deliver to people. Bake cookies or prepare small bags of candy. Encourage your child to write notes that say Jesus loves you to attach to the treats. Decide when your family can make the special deliveries this week to tell people how much Jesus loves them. Pray, asking God for opportunities for your family to tell people about Jesus this week. Session 2: Deserves Our Praise The Big Idea: I can praise Jesus because He is the Son of God. The Bible Story: The Triumphal Entry (Matthew 21:1-11) Key Bible Verse: Matthew 21:9 Connecting Points: As your family gathers for family time, play praise music. Take turns reading aloud the verses of Matthew 21:1-11. Ask: "Why were the people praising Jesus?" Explain that the word Hosanna means "save now." Say: "The people recognized Jesus as God's Son, the Messiah. We can praise Jesus, too, because He is the Son of God." Provide each family member with a 2-3 foot piece of crepe paper. Say: "The people waved branches on the road to praise Jesus as He rode into Jerusalem. Let's wave these streamers as we praise Jesus." Encourage family members to sing a favorite praise song and wave the streamers as they praise Jesus. Pray, thanking God for His Son, Jesus. Session 3: Provides Salvation The Big Idea: I can receive forgiveness and eternal life when I confess Jesus as Savior and Lord. The Bible Story: Jesus Is Alive (Matthew 26:36 28:10) Key Bible Verse: 1 John 4:14 Connecting Points: Provide paper and markers, and challenge your family to illustrate Jesus' arrest, death, burial, and resurrection. Review the drawings. Display a cross (wall hanging, jewelry, picture, etc.). Ask: "What do you think of when you see a cross?" Point out that a cross not only helps us remember what Jesus did for us, it also reminds us why Jesus died on the cross because He loves us. Pray, thanking God for the love He demonstrated for us by sending His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins. Session 4: Wants Obedience The Big Idea: I can obey Jesus. The Bible Story: Jesus Appeared to the Disciples (John 21:1-14) Key Bible Verse: John 14:15 Connecting Points: Ask your child three times: "Do you love me?" Allow your child to respond each time. Say: "Jesus asked Peter that same question three times. Each time Peter said 'yes,' Jesus gave Him an instruction to do something." Invite your child to read aloud John 14:15. Ask: "What does this verse mean to you?" Allow family members to name some of Jesus' commands. Say: "If we love Jesus, we will want to follow His commands. We can learn more of His commands by reading the Bible." Pray, thanking God for teaching us how to live in ways that bring Him honor and glory. Jesus... Parent Connection (Jesus... Session 1) Page 8 of 16
I like chocolate ice cream the best. Of all school subjects, I like math the best. I can speak another language. I am an only child. I have never flown in an airplane. I ride the bus to school. My birthday is in March. I can say the ABCs backward. I have the same name as someone in the Bible. I have brown eyes. I am a girl. I help my parents cook and clean without being asked. I can whistle. I have a pet. I have not lost a tooth yet. I can play a musical instrument. I am the youngest in my family. I am wearing something blue today. I am not afraid of spiders. I have a television in my bedroom. I can count to one hundred with my eyes closed. I like to play sports. I know how many books are in the Bible. I am homeschooled. I would like to travel to Mars. I like chocolate ice cream the best. Of all school subjects, I like math the best. I can speak another language. I am an only child. I have never flown in an airplane. I ride the bus to school. My birthday is in March. I can say the ABCs backward. I have the same name as someone in the Bible. I have brown eyes. I am a girl. I help my parents cook and clean without being asked. I can whistle. I have a pet. I have not lost a tooth yet. I can play a musical instrument. I am the youngest in my family. I am wearing something blue today. I am not afraid of spiders. I have a television in my bedroom. I can count to one hundred with my eyes closed. I like to play sports. I know how many books are in the Bible. I am homeschooled. I would like to travel to Mars. Friend Fill-In (Jesus... Session 1) Page 9 of 16
1 2 3 4 5 1. Cut along the dotted lines. 2. Fold on the solid lines. 3. Fill with scrap paper. 4. Tape closed. 6 Let Them Come Cube (Jesus... Session 1) Page 10 of 16
Kite Instructions 1. Gather supplies. 2. Fold a sheet of construction paper in half, creating a long, rectangular shape. 3. Place the folded edge to the left. 4. Measuring along the top of the paper, make a mark 1 inch from the folded side. 5. Measuring along the bottom of the paper, make a mark 2½ inches from the folded side. 6. Draw a line connecting the two marks. 7. Fold only the top flap back along the line. 8. Flip over the kite and tape along the length of the fold. 9. Fold the remaining flap back, meeting the other side, and crease. 10. Attach a dowel stick as indicated. 11. Guide the children to write Jesus Loves You and decorate their kites. 12. Punch holes as indicated. Reinforce the holes with clear tape. Attach a string, wrapping around the dowel stick. 13. Attach crepe paper streamers for the tail. Kite (Jesus... Session 1) Page 11 of 16
Children Puppets (Jesus... Session 1) Page 12 of 16
Children Pictures (Jesus... Session 1) Page 13 of 16
What Can I Do? J tugged on his mother's sleeve to let her know he wanted to ask a question. A group of older Christians were meeting together in China. "I follow Jesus, and my mother does, but my father doesn't. What can I do?" One by one, the other Christians encouraged the young boy to pray for his father and continue to be faithful in following Jesus. Later, he learned a Bible story that he could tell his father. Pray that young believers in China will grow strong in their faith. Pray for their families and friends to learn to love Jesus too. Today when you pray for the children in China, pray for your family too. Pray that your mom and dad will want to learn more and more about Jesus. Pray for people who do not go to church or do not want to hear about Jesus. [Source: KOMpray, IMB, http://kidsonmission.org] Happy Campers (Canary Islands) If you had a chance to go to "The Happy Islands" would you? "The Happy Islands" are located northwest of Africa. They are also known as the Canary Islands. Ancient Greeks and Romans called the islands "happy" because they are so beautiful. One summer, Candra Pennington, a college student from Tennessee spent a summer teaching English to "Happy Island" children. She taught children from ages 5 to 12 at camp. Using a baseball theme, Candra taught the children songs. The children practiced all week to help them learn English and to prepare a show for their parents. The camp is a lot like Vacation Bible School just longer. Candra used songs, games, and class time to help the children learn to speak English. Candra discovered many of the children had never heard about Jesus. One night, just before going to bed, a young camper saw Candra reading her Bible. The camper asked Candra, "What are you reading?" Candra told her it was a Bible. With a strange look on her face, the girl asked, "What's a Bible?" Candra realized how important it is to tell people about Jesus whenever she got the opportunity. She promised the girl they would read the Bible together. Through Candra, this girl and other children on "The Happy Islands" learned about Jesus. You may never be able to visit "The Happy Islands," but you can tell people in your hometown about Jesus. [Source: Adapted from Happy Campers by Emilee Brandon, IMB; http://imb.org/lottieatwork] Missionary Stories (Jesus... Session 1) Page 14 of 16
Children and Prisoners Not only had Haiti experienced an earthquake and so many homes were destroyed, but more than 5,000 prisoners escaped their jail cells too! The prisoners moved into neighborhoods and made them really unsafe. A small Baptist church decided to make life better and protect the children. Pastor R asked his church to help the children, so the church members began preparing a hot meal each day for 300 children, ages 18 months to 17 years old. People have given cooking stoves, propane gas tanks, and cooking utensils. United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (or UNICEF) provided tents so the kids could get out of hot sun. Please pray for Pastor R and that little Baptist church. Thank God that they are so loving and helpful. As you eat your lunch each day, pray for children in Haiti who are shown God's love by Christians. Pray that they will hear and understand the stories of Jesus. Let's not forget those escaped prisoners. Pray that they will let God change their lives as well. [Source: KOMpray, IMB, http://kidsonmission.org] A Great Trip Have you ever ridden a train? The Eardley family was excited about taking the train to a South Asian city 13 hours away from where they live. The family went to the train station only to find out the train was 13 hours late! So, they would have to sit in the waiting room a long time. Other people in the waiting room wanted to take pictures of their daughters that always seems kind of odd but the Eardleys came up with a great idea. They carry pictures of their daughters with them with the story of Jesus printed on the back in the local language. While at the train station, they met some boys who were begging. That's nothing unusual at the train station, but these boys greeted the family with "Jai Masih ki!" That's how Christians greet each other. The greeting means "Victory to Jesus Christ!" The Eardleys started talking to the boys. Then they all shared stories from the Bible and sang worship songs! A small crowd gathered, and the boys told everyone about Jesus. The boys were learning about Jesus from friends of the Eardleys. What an encouragement to know that God is using their friends to teach these boys and that the boys, are telling others about Jesus everywhere they go. The Eardley family sat in the waiting room from 9 p.m. one day until 5 a.m. the next morning. All night long, they sat and talked with the people who wanted pictures of their daughters and with the boys who were begging. The Eardleys decided their train was not going to come in time for them to make their meeting, so they decided to go home and thank God for their great trip to the train station! Can you think of times when things didn't go the way you had hoped? Maybe you had to miss a field trip or could not have a party. Think about ways you can thank God for what did happen instead of being sad or mad about what didn't. [Source: KOMpray, IMB, http://kidsonmission.org] Missionary Stories (Jesus... Session 1) Page 15 of 16
Tsunami Orphans Become Family Life as Sangeedhas knew it was gone. Her home was destroyed. Her mother was dead. Only 8 years old, Sangeedhas was one of thousands of children left homeless and orphaned after a tsunami hit South Asia in 2004. Sangeedhas' father survived the tsunami, but he sent her away after he remarried. Sangeedhas, however, was one of the fortunate ones. She was taken in by Paramesvaran and Choodamani, a Christian couple who lost their three children in the tsunami. The couple welcomed Sangeedhas and other orphaned children into their home. With the help of other Christians, the couple provided them with tsunami relief funds. Since the tsunami, the couple has provided a loving home for 20 orphaned children 6 girls and 14 boys. Sangeedhas had been raised in a Hindu home. After she came to live with Paramesvaran and Choodamani, she heard about Jesus for the first time. Hearing about Jesus changed her life, and she became a Christian. Sangeedhas wants to bless others, just like her new parents have blessed the orphans in their home. Today, all of the children in their home have become Christians. Early each morning, the children gather for worship to sing praises to Jesus. With Bibles spread out on the floor in front of them, they listen to the stories from the Bible. [Source: Adapted from Tsunami orphans become new family in Christian home by Shawn Hendricks, IMB] Missionary Stories (Jesus... Session 1) Page 16 of 16