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U F A C L U M FO R PR E S C H O OLE R S I C U R R R S T I E P I M R S I O S N Editor in Chief Kristi Lemoine Copy Editor Wendi Zebell Illustrators & Graphic Designers Jodi Blackwell Jeff Gribble Julie Shefchunas Chief Creative Officer Reggie Joiner Chief Executive Officer Joel Manby O F A Creative Director Kendra Fleming Curriculum Writers Jodi Blackwell Emily Hill Donna Taylor Chief Operating Officer Karen Odom L O V I N G H E A V E N LY We want preschoolers to take a first look at who God is and understand... Technical and Web Support Hadley Brandt John Estes Howard Odom Partner Support Debbie Joiner Leigha Montgomery F A T H E R 1 made me me to Jesus loves wants God God be my friend 5 ever for open my eyes so that i wonder ful the wonder ful truths...psalm truths 119:18 Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. NIV. Copyright 197, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. Any unauthorized reproduction of this material or incorporation into a new work is a direct violation of US copyright laws. 2005 First Look. All rights reserved. STATEMENT OF FAITH USER AGREEMENT FamilyWise, Inc. gladly grants permission to churches, schools, and other licens to tailor First Look TM materials to fit their unique leadership requirements, locale and format preferences, and physical environment needs. However, if you wish to edit the content substantively, including Bible stories, learning activities, scripts, and any other content in which biblical principles and concepts are presented, you are obligated to do so within the doctrinal guidelines we ve expressed in our Statement of Faith.

Jesus wants to be my friend forever. Key Question: Bottom Line: Memory Verse: Bible Story Focus: t he wonderful Who does Jesus love? Jesus loves everyone. Let us love one another, for love comes from God. 1 John 4:7, NIV Everyone needs Jesus. Disciples Tell Others John 1:5-45 truths Makeitfun Introductory Activities 10 minutes Prepare to offer one or more of the following activities as your -, 4-, or 5-year-olds arrive. Let one or two teachers lead activities in different areas of the room while another teacher greets parents and kids at the door. MARC H / WEEK / s 5s Gone Fishing Whatcha Do: Before the activity: Set the tub on a towel or plastic sheet. Attach a paper clip to each foam fish and float the fish on the water. Make a fishing pole by tying one end of the string to the dowel rod and the other end of the string to the magnet. During the activity: Let kids take turns going fishing in the tub. You add variety by challenging the kids to catch one fish of each color or three fish of the same color. Whatcha Say: You all are doing a great job fishing. In today's Bible story, Jesus saw some men fishing. He told them He had a very important job for them. Let's go to Bible story time to learn more. A plastic tub filled with water A large towel or plastic sheet Foam fish in a variety of colors Small metal paper clips Dowel rod A length of string A magnet Note: You purchase pre-cut foam fish or cut your own from three or four colors of craft foam. 1 Make It Fun: Introductory Activities

Follow the Leader Whatcha Do: Lead the kids in a game of Follow the Leader. Make the game as silly as possible. Include actions like walking backwards, crawling under tables, waddling like a duck, strutting like a rooster, hopping like a frog, and making silly noises. Do anything to keep the kids' attention and keep them giggling. Whatcha Say: As the game ends: You all did a great job following me. Did you know that some people in today's Bible story followed a leader, too? They didn't do silly things like waddling and hopping, but they did do what their leader told them to do. Let's go to Bible story time to learn more. truths No supplies needed. MARC H / WEEK / s 5s Big Fish, Little Fish Whatcha Do: Use the masking tape or ropes to mark two lines about 10 feet apart. Choose a volunteer to be the Big Fish. Guide the Big Fish to lie on her stomach between the two lines. Tell her that she is such a big fish that the only way she move is to swim on her belly. Lead all the other kids to stand along one of the lines. Explain that they are little fish. When you say, Swim, their job is to swim past the Big Fish and get to the other side without being tagged. Anyone who is tagged by the Big Fish becomes a big fish as well and must lie in the center and try to tag little fish. Play as long as time allows. Whatcha Say: You all make great fish. In today's Bible story, Jesus found some men fishing. He told them He would make them fish for men instead of fish. Let's go to the Bible story area to find out what Jesus meant. No supplies needed. 2 Make It Fun: Introductory Activities

t he wonderful Jesus wants to be my friend forever. Key Question: Bottom Line: Memory Verse: Bible Story Focus: Who does Jesus love? Jesus loves everyone. Let us love one another, for love comes from God. 1 John 4:7, NIV Everyone needs Jesus. Disciples Tell Others John 1:5-45 truths Makeittrue Large Group 15 minutes After children have participated in Make It Fun, gather them for a large group time that includes an introductory sketch, a Bible story, and interactive worship. Choose an adult who relates well to preschoolers to tell the Introductory Sketch. If possible, use the same adult all year. To add variety, consider videotaping the sketch and playing the video during Make It True. A Worship Leader and live instruments are recommended. Encourage children to be active during worship by providing suggested materials and/or incorporating appropriate hand motions as described in the teaching instructions that follow. MARC H / WEEK / s 5s Introductory Sketch STORYTELLER: Good morning, everyone. How are you today? I'm so glad to you. I have a question for you. How many of you go to a preschool class during the? (Pause for responses.) Wow, that's cool. I went to preschool when I was your age. I would go on Mondays and Fridays (or change to fit your own story). I had a teacher named (insert your teacher's name). She was the best. She always had big hugs to give everyone, and she always remembered our birthdays. I used to love to go to preschool because I knew No supplies needed. Make It True: Large Group

that all my friends would be there and we would do a lot of fun things. One of my favorite things to do was go outside and play. My teacher would pick a different person each day to be the line leader as we headed outside. Being the line leader was a very important job. If you were the line leader, you were responsible for leading the whole class. Has anyone in here ever been a line leader? (Pause for responses.) If so, you know that you have to be careful to always lead the kids in your group and tell them to stop when it's time to stop. Line leaders sometimes have to give very important messages to the other kids. Being a line leader is an important responsibility. Did you know that there's a story in the Bible about Jesus giving a very important responsibility to some men? Listen, and I'll tell you about it. truths MARC H / WEEK / s 5s Bible Story STORYTELLER: (Open the Bible to John 1:5-45.) The Bible is true and tells us about God. One of the most important things to know about God is that He sent His Son, Jesus, so we could know more about Him. We're going to hear about an important job Jesus gave His followers. One day Jesus' cousin John was standing with a group of men when Jesus walked by. John said, 'Look! There is God's Son!' One of the men who was standing with John was Andrew. Andrew thought what John had said was such good news that he couldn't keep it to himself. He ran to get his brother, Simon Peter, and took him to meet Jesus. Andrew and Simon Peter became followers of Jesus. They were called disciples. Andrew and Simon Peter were fishermen (hold up the fishing net), but they left their fishing jobs to follow Jesus. The next day, Jesus decided to go to the town of Galilee. He ran into a guy named Philip who just happened to be from the same town as Simon Peter and Andrew. He said to Philip, 'Follow me.' So Philip ran and found his friend Nathanael and told him about Jesus. Philip and Nathanael followed Jesus and became His disciples as well. A Bible marked at John 1:5-45 A fishing net A globe Isn't it cool how Andrew went to tell Simon Peter about Jesus and 4 Make It True: Large Group

Philip went to tell Nathanael? They couldn't wait to tell their friends and family about Jesus. They knew it was really important for the people around them to know about Jesus. Did you know that Jesus gave a job to His disciples? It's true. Before Jesus left the earth to go back to heaven to be with God, He gave His disciples a very important task. He said, 'Go and make disciples.' Do you know what Jesus meant? Jesus meant that His disciples, or followers, were to tell everyone who He is. The disciples were supposed to tell others about Jesus because everyone needs Jesus. And Jesus didn't just want His followers to tell only their family and friends. He wanted them to travel to places were they didn't know anyone and tell those people about Jesus, too. (Pull out the globe.) In fact, Jesus wants us to do the same thing. Since we know that Jesus loves everyone, do you think He wants the people who live here in (say the name of your city or town and point to it on the globe) to know about Jesus? He sure does. Do you think everyone in (point to and name a state other than your home state) needs Jesus? Absolutely. What about the people over here (point to another country)? How about the people over here (point to another continent)? Everyone needs Jesus. That's why it's important for us to follow the example of the disciples and tell other people about Jesus. Jesus loves everyone, and He wants us to tell others about His love. Who does Jesus love? KIDS and STORYTELLER: Jesus loves everyone. truths A FIRST IMPRESSION OF A LOVING HEAVENLY FATHER MARC H / WEEK / s 5s PRAYER STORYTELLER: Let's bow our heads, close our eyes, and talk to God now. (Pause while children follow your directions.) God, thank You so much for this story about the disciples who followed Jesus and told others about Him. Help me to tell others how much You love them. Thank You for sending Jesus, Your Son, to Earth. In Jesus' name, Amen. 5 Make It True: Large Group

Let us love one Worship WORSHIP LEADER: Do you all remember the song we've been singing to help us remember our verse this month? Let's all sing it together. Lead kids to sing the following words to the tune of The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round. Let us love one another, For love comes from God, Love comes from God, Love comes from God. Let us love one another, For love comes from God. 1 John 4:7. WORSHIP LEADER: Wow! You all are really listening this month. I like this verse because it reminds me that Jesus loves everyone. And it also reminds me that Jesus wants to be my friend forever. Can you say that with me? 1 another, for love John truths comes from God. 4:7 A NIV Bible marked at 1 John 4:7 A CD player The CDs Shout Praises! Kids and Wait A guitar (optional) Also, use this month's original worship song, which you download from the Web site, during this segment or whenever you like this month. MARC H / WEEK / s 5s KIDS and WORSHIP LEADER: forever. Jesus wants to be my friend WORSHIP LEADER: I'm so ready to hear you sing to God this morning. Let's thank Him for the amazing way He loves us. Lead the kids to sing Hallelujah (Your Love Is Amazing), track 5, from the CD Shout Praises! Kids. If possible, have someone play guitar as you sing. Use the following motions: 6 Make It True: Large Group

Love Form a cross with your wrists across your chest. Amazing Make a big letter A by placing your fingertips together over your head in a triangle. Mountain Form a mountain with your fingertips together out in front of you. Feet Stomp your feet on the ground. Lift me Raise both hands toward the ceiling. Carries me Rock an imaginary baby in your arms. Hallelujah Cup your hands around your mouth to form a megaphone. Each time you sing the word hallelujah, raise your megaphone to a different side of your body. truths Godloves me WORSHIP LEADER: It's easy to worship God. He loves us so much that He sent Jesus to be our friend forever. Because God loves us so much, we need to show love to others. Let's sing about giving a little love to the people around us. God made me Lead the kids to sing Give a Little Love, track 5, from the CD Wait. If possible, have someone play guitar as you sing. Use the following motions: MARC H / WEEK / s 5s Give a little love today Place your hands over your heart, and then move them outward. Walk a mile March in place. Say a kind word or two Point to your lips, and then hold up two fingers. Prove that God's love Hold both hands up in the air. Is in you Pull your hands back over your heart. Jesuswants to be my friend forever 7 Make It True: Large Group

t he wonderful Jesus wants to be my friend forever. Key Question: Bottom Line: Memory Verse: Bible Story Focus: Who does Jesus love? Jesus loves everyone. Let us love one another, for love comes from God. 1 John 4:7, NIV Everyone needs Jesus. Disciples Tell Others John 1:5-45 truths Make itstick Application Activities 5 minutes MARC H / WEEK / s 5s These activities are designed to help preschoolers understand and remember today's Bible story and Bottom Line. Offer as many of the following activities as your time, facilities, resources, and leadership allow. You may want to lead one activity at a time. Or offer two activities at once and allow half of the kids to participate in each, then switch groups and repeat the activities. Snack It Up Whatcha Do: Let the kids serve each other the snack. Let kids use pieces of string cheese to catch their fish crackers. Whatcha Say: These fish remind me of today's Bible story. Who tell me what happened in today's story? (Pause.) Jesus' followers told people that Jesus loves everyone. Who does Jesus love? Jesus loves everyone. Who you tell about Jesus? Be sure to list the foods you will be serving today on the Allergy Alert Poster (from the Activity Pages on the Web site) and post it at the door to your room. Goldfish crackers String cheese Cups of water 8 Make It Stick: Application Activities

All the People of the World Whatcha Do: Spread the map out on the floor. Ask kids to gather around the map. Use the conversation below as you set the cards from A Good Match on the matching continents. Next, using the masking tape or rope, mark a throwing line a few feet from the map. Guide the kids to stand behind the line. Let them take turns tossing the beanbag onto the map. Pick up the card on whichever continent the beanbag lands. Challenge the kids to collect all six cards. Whatcha Say: As the kids are gathered around the map: This is a map of the world. This is everywhere people live. Where do we live? (Pause.) That's right. (Point to where you live.) This is where (say the name of your city and state or province) is. We live in a part of the world called (say the name of your continent). Other parts of the world are (name the other continents as you point to them). Jesus loves people who live in all these places. Now let's play a game. truths A world map with the continents outlined A beanbag Masking tape or a length of rope A copy of A Good Match (from the Activity Pages on the Web site) with the cards cut apart MARC H / WEEK / s 5s As the kids play the game: You landed on (say the name of the continent the child's beanbag landed on). (Pick up the card and show it to the group.) Jesus loves people in (say the name of the continent again). (Continue as the kids successfully target the other continents.) As the game ends: Jesus loves people who live in Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, South America, and Australia. Who does Jesus love? Jesus loves everyone! Does Jesus love (name a child in your group)? Does Jesus love (name another child in your group)? Who does Jesus love? Jesus loves everyone! Since Jesus loves everyone, I think we need to give each other a big group hug. 9 Make It Stick: Application Activities

Picture Poses Whatcha Do: Help kids put on the costumes. Choose a volunteer to pretend to be Jesus. Retell the Bible story as the kids act it out. At different points, guide the kids to freeze while you take a picture. If necessary, you help them pose for a scene. When you're finished, show the kids the pictures. Whatcha Say: As you're showing kids the pictures: What was happening in this part of the story? (Pause.) How do you think the men felt when Jesus asked them to follow Him? (Excited, happy, scared.) Why did Jesus want the men to follow Him? (To teach them how to tell others about God; He wanted them to tell everyone about Jesus.) Who you tell about Jesus? (Pause.) God wants everyone to know about Jesus because Jesus loves everyone. Who does Jesus love? Jesus loves everyone. truths A variety of Bible-times costumes A fishing net Polaroid camera with film MARC H / WEEK / s 5s 10 Make It Stick: Application Activities

Thumbprint Cards Whatcha Do: Help kids rub a small amount of lotion on their fingertips. This will help the ink wash off later. Then let each child choose a piece of construction paper and help them fold their papers in half to make a card. Show kids how they press their fingertips onto the inkpad and then onto the front of their cards. Then guide them to draw hair and a body to make a fingerprint a person; ears and a tail to make a mouse; or pointed ears, legs, and a tail to make a cat. Kids even string several fingerprints together to make a caterpillar. Then encourage kids to look at their fingerprints through a magnifying glass. Use the conversation below as kids explore the whirls and swirls of their fingerprints. When kids finish their art, print the following inside each card: Jesus loves everyone, and Jesus loves you! Encourage kids to sign their names. Help kids as necessary. Be sure to list the lotion you will be using today on the Allergy Alert Poster (from the Activity Pages on the Web site) and post it at the door to your room. truths Water-based inkpads Lotion Construction paper Fine-tipped markers Magnifying glass Moist towelettes MARC H / WEEK / s 5s Whatcha Say: Before the activity: We're going to make cards that we give to people to tell them that Jesus loves them. Who in our Bible story told others about Jesus? (Jesus' followers, the disciples.) While the kids observe their fingerprints: Did you know that every person's fingerprints are unique? No two people have fingerprints that look the same. Everyone's fingerprints are different. We are all different and special. But in some ways, we're all the same. How are we the same? (Pause.) Yes! Jesus loves everyone, and everyone needs Jesus. As the activity ends: Take your cards home and give them to someone you know. When you give your card away, you'll be doing just what Jesus' followers did. You'll be telling others that Jesus loves everyone. 11 Make It Stick: Application Activities

The Whole World Whatcha Do: Let each child choose an instrument. Encourage kids to play their instruments as you sing the memory verse song together. Let the kids trade instruments and sing again. Whatcha Say: (Sing to the tune of The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round. ) Let us love one another, For love comes from God, Love comes from God, Love comes from God. Let us love one another, For love comes from God. 1 John 4:7. At the end of the activity: I'm so glad we love one another. I'm also glad God gives us the love we need to love others. Jesus loves everyone. Who does Jesus love? Jesus loves everyone. truths A variety of musical instruments representative of different cultures, such as maracas, castanets, drums, hand bells, and recorders. Option: Some church members may have jembes, sitars, or other instruments from varying cultures. Invite them to bring their instruments to your class, tell about them, and play along during the activity. MARC H / WEEK / s 5s 12 Make It Stick: Application Activities

t he wonderful Jesus wants to be my friend forever. Key Question: Bottom Line: Memory Verse: Bible Story Focus: Who does Jesus love? Jesus loves everyone. Let us love one another, for love comes from God. 1 John 4:7, NIV Everyone needs Jesus. Disciples Tell Others John 1:5-45 Make It Real is designed to help preschoolers understand how the Bottom Line applies to them. They'll discuss real-life experiences and share prayer requests. truths Make itreal SMALL GROUP 5 minutes MARC H / WEEK / s 5s Divide kids into small groups of about five to eight children with each leader. Ideally, assign the same small group leader to the same group of preschoolers for the entire year. small group time SMALL GROUP LEADER (SGL): Today we learned that the disciples told others about Jesus and that we need to do the same thing. What were they telling them? I bet they were telling other people about God's love. Let's open the Bible to a verse that tells us how to treat other people. Let kids take turns opening the Bible to the marked verse. Say the verse as a group every time a child locates it. SGL: (Show the globe.) Look at this globe. We live right here (point approximately to your hometown). I'm going to let each of you spin the globe. When it stops, I want you to point to an area of land on the globe. I'll tell you the name of the place you've found, and then I'll write it in our journal. Use a bookmark or sticky note to mark 1 John 4:7 in a NIV Bible. Highlight or underline the verse. Provide a journal, a fun-shaped pen, and a globe for each small group. 1 Make It Real: Small Group

(Let kids take turns spinning the globe and pointing to a place. If kids point to an ocean, guide them to find a nearby land mass.) Wow! I've never been to a lot of the places you're pointing to on the globe. But I know that because Jesus loves everyone, all the people in each of these places needs to know about Jesus. (Show the prayer journal and symbol.) In fact, this symbol helps us remember that Jesus loves everyone. prayer SGL: Let's thank God for loving everyone so much that He sent Jesus to us. Let's also pray for the people in each of the places you pointed to on the globe. Let's pray that someone would tell the people in these places about Jesus. Ask the kids to bow their heads and close their eyes. Ask a volunteer to pray aloud, or lead the prayer yourself. Pray specifically for each country the kids pointed to on the globe. truths MARC H / WEEK / s 5s get ready to dismiss Set any takehome creations where you or parents get them easily. Greet parents at the door and give them a copy of Small Talk. Encourage parents to use Small Talk throughout the as they continue helping their child understand that Jesus loves everyone. If a parent has not received a magnet yet this month, explain that this month preschoolers are learning that Jesus loves everyone. Point out this month's memory verse and the symbol. Encourage parents to put the magnet on their refrigerator so they it often and reinforce their child's learning at home during the month. Copy this 's Small Talk onto cardstock and cut the cards apart. Make copies of March Magnet (from the Activity Pages on the Web site) available for parents who did not receive one earlier this month. 14 Make It Real: Small Group