New Testament Unit 6: Jesus Shared His Love Lesson 3: Jesus and the Children God s Unfolding Story Bible Story: Jesus and the Children (Mark 10:13-16) Bible Phrase: Jesus said, Let the little children come to Me (Mark 10:14). Bible Truth: Jesus loves and cares for me. 1. God created everything. 2. People disobeyed God. 3. God chose a special people. 4. God sent Jesus to help us. 5. Jesus began the Church. 6. Jesus is preparing heaven for us. Suggested Schedule: Arrival Centers 25 minutes Clean-up Time 5 minutes Bible Story Time 15 minutes Craft Time 10 minutes Snack Time 10 minutes Game Time/Dismissal Hour A Unfolding God s Story for Teachers A Francis Hook print of Jesus and the children hung in my office for years. It was and still is one of my favorite visual interpretations of this beloved Bible story, Jesus and the Children. In the print, Jesus face is rugged yet gentle. His eyes are tender and seem to look right to the heart. Children are gathered around Jesus in the scene, and He is holding a younger preschooler closely in His arms. The picture brings to my mind Isaiah 40:11, He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. Please read Mark 10:13-16. This story is also related in Matthew 19:13-15 and Luke 18:15-17. In this moment, we get a precious glimpse of the tenderness, compassion and mercy Jesus had for the powerless and seemingly unimportant in society. It seems surprising that the disciples felt Jesus would not want to be bothered with the children given He never had refused to see anyone. Apparently they felt the need to guard His time and privacy. Jesus, however, became indignant. This is a strong word indicating Jesus showed anger due to something that was unjust or unworthy. Only Mark uses this adjective to illustrate Jesus response. In fact, it is the only time the word is used in regard to Jesus. Jesus took the children in His arms and blessed them asking God s favor upon each one. Often while working in my office, I would glance at that print and ponder how it must have been to be one of those little ones. To be welcomed by the Master would be a precious gift, but actually to sit in the King of king s lap well, it would be indescribable. In a way, we can experience that moment. Jesus used this time to teach us a lesson about kingdom citizenship. The children demonstrated trust, humility and obedience. The kingdom of God does not belong to the arrogant, prideful, strong and mighty. It belongs to those who are poor in spirit, meek, thirst for righteousness and are pure in heart. The kingdom, access to Jesus and sitting in His lap are gifts to those who see their need for such gifts. This is a gift given not out of merit but out of grace to those whose hearts are hungry and want to be obedient. So push through the crowd and walk right up to the Master. He is waiting for you. Preschoolers need to know they are loved. They need to hear that Jesus loves and cares for them. They will not grasp the deep theology of this lesson; but through your touch, your voice and your demeanor they will experience His love. Lesson Plan Arrival Greet children at eye level and express how happy you are to see them. Be sure each child has a name tag and the security measures of your church are followed. Label all coats and personal belongings. Strongly encourage children who have brought items from home, such as toys and books, to place them on a shelf while they are working with other materials. Assure children their items will be safe and they can take them home at the end of the session. Help each child make a choice where he or she would like to begin his or her Center Time. God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2013 - SundaySchoolZone.com NT06 Lesson 3 Hour A Page 1
Block Center Build with Blocks Wooden blocks Small cars and trucks What to Do: Provide a small carpet if possible. Blocks are best located in a corner of the room away from the traffic flow. Link to the Bible Story: As children build, listen for opportunities to share the Bible Phrase or tell a part of the Bible story. Home Living Center Role Play Small rocking chair, sink and stove unit and small table and chairs; plastic dishes, child pots and pans, plastic food items; and doll items such as baby doll, doll bed, doll bag, blanket, clothes, bottles and diapers. What to Do: Invite children to role play taking care of the baby doll. Link to the Bible Story: As children play, comment that the Bible teaches us that Jesus loved and cared for children. Center Time Art Center Make a Collage White construction paper Old magazines to cut pictures of children Glue sticks What to Do: Cut each paper into a large heart shape. Cut out pictures of children of various ages and ethnicities. Invite preschoolers to glue the pictures of children as a collage on their heart shape. Link to the Bible Story: Express to children that in today s Bible story, Jesus has a special visit with some children. Comment that our Bible Phrase is, Jesus said, Let the little children come to Me (Mark 10:14). Emphasize that Jesus loved the little children. Bible Learning Center Work a Maze Copies of Activity Page Going to See Jesus (Reproducible) Crayons or washable markers What to Do: Invite children to use a crayon or marker to follow the path from the children to Jesus. Link to the Bible Story: Read the Bible Phrase at the bottom of the maze. Express to children that today s Bible story is about a day when Jesus spent some time with a group of children. Comment that Jesus was happy to see the children. Puzzle Center Work Puzzles Offer a variety of non-fantasy wooden or cardboard puzzles for children to work. What to Do: Encourage children to finish a puzzle before leaving the center. Give guidance rather than doing the puzzle for the child. Link to the Bible Story: As children work, look for opportunities in conversation to say the Bible Phrase or briefly tell the Bible story. God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2013 - SundaySchoolZone.com NT06 Lesson 3 Hour A Page 2
Clean-up Time Encourage preschoolers to help at clean-up time. Assign specific tasks for preschoolers to do such as placing all the crayons in the basket, throwing away the trash, gathering all the glue sticks, etc. Guide children to the Bible Story Time area. Bible Story Time Bible Teaching Picture Jesus and the Children (Reproducible) God s Unfolding Story Cube (Reproducible/Cardstock) Introduction Show the God s Unfolding Story Cube. Point to each symbol and tell God s Unfolding Story. (Refer to page 1.) Encourage children to say the story with you. Comment to boys and girls today s story is from the segment God sent Jesus to help us. (Point to that symbol on the cube.) Express the following: Today s Bible story is about a very special time Jesus had with children. Listen to hear what happened. Bible Story Jesus and the Children (Mark 10:13-16) Jesus and His helpers walked from place to place teaching people about God. One day, they came to a place where a large crowd of people gathered to hear Jesus. Among the crowd were mommies, daddies and their children. Everyone wanted to see and hear Jesus speak. That day, Jesus talked about families and how important families are to God. After Jesus spoke, many of the moms and dads wanted to bring their children closer to Jesus. They felt if Jesus could just touch their children it would be so special. So the parents made their way through the big crowd and came right up to Jesus. Suddenly Jesus helpers said, Don t bother Jesus. He does not have time for children! Jesus heard what His helpers said. Jesus was not pleased with how they treated the children. Jesus said, Let the little children come to Me. Jesus wanted the children around Him. Some of the children may have climbed up into His lap. Others may have stood nearby while some may have sat at His feet, but all the children were close to Jesus. Jesus laid His big, strong hands on their heads and shoulders as He blessed them. This was a special day for Jesus and the children. Talk Time 1. Show the teaching picture for today s Bible story. Ask the following: What did Jesus helpers think about the children seeing Jesus? Was Jesus happy with His helpers? What special thing happened between Jesus and the children? 2. Read the Bible Phrase on the teaching picture. Say the phrase together. Emphasize to preschoolers that children are important to Jesus, and just as Jesus loved and blessed the children in the story, He loves each one of them. Talk about ways Jesus shows His love to children today such as: providing parents, homes, food, clothes, etc. If you know the song, Jesus Loves Me or Jesus Loves the Little Children, sing it with your group. 3. Close the Bible Story Time in prayer by thanking Jesus for His love for each child in your group. God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2013 - SundaySchoolZone.com NT06 Lesson 3 Hour A Page 3
Craft Time Make a Jesus Loves Me Picture Copies of Jesus Loves Me Picture (Reproducible) 5-inch paper plates Crayons or washable markers, glue, tape, scissors What to Do: Cut out the faces and shoes. Print Jesus loves me! in the center of each paper plate. Give each child a face according to his or her gender. Invite children to color the face and shoes. Next, show children where to glue the face at the top of the paper plate and the shoes to the bottom of the plate. Link to Bible Story: Read the words printed on the paper plate. Remind children that just as Jesus loved the children in the story, He loves each one of them. Snack Time Be sure to wash hands or use hand sanitizer. Say a thank-you prayer to God for the snack. When snack time has ended, encourage preschoolers to help with cleaning up. Game Time/Dismissal Who Is It? No supplies needed What to Do: Ask children to form a circle around you. Begin the game by describing a child such as: I am thinking of someone who is wearing blue tennis shoes, a red skirt and has black hair. Can you guess who I am thinking about? Allow children to guess. Play the game until all the children have been identified. Emphasize that Jesus knows each child by name and loves and cares for each one. Dismiss children as parents arrive. Be sure to follow the security procedures of your church. God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2013 - SundaySchoolZone.com NT06 Lesson 3 Hour A Page 4
Resources and Supplies New Testament Unit 6: Jesus Shared His Love Lesson 3: Jesus and the Children Hour A Standard Art Supplies (Supplies that are generally in the room) Washable markers Crayons Child scissors Playdough and accessories Drawing paper Easel (optional) Glue/glue sticks Tempera paint, 4 colors Tape/masking tape Pencils/colored pencils Hole punch Teacher scissors Stapler/staples Permanent markers Watercolors Paintbrushes Yarn Standard Equipment (Equipment that is generally in the room) Small beanbag for Bible Story Time Assorted wooden/cardboard puzzles Set of wooden blocks Small cars and trucks Doll bed Baby doll (soft plastic) Stove/sink unit Play dishes/pots and pans Small table and chairs Small carpet for block area Play food items Storage shelf for blocks Tables and chairs for art, puzzles, and Bible Learning Center CD player/children s Worship CDs Reproducibles (Included with the lesson plan downloads) Activity Page Going to See Jesus (1 copy per child) Jesus Loves Me Picture (1 copy per child) Teaching Picture Jesus and the Children (1 copy per class) God s Unfolding Story Cube (Cardstock, 1 copy per class) Parent Page (1 copy per child) Additional Art and Bible Learning Materials White construction paper `(1 per sheet per child) Old magazines to cut out faces of children Additional Craft Time Materials 5-inch paper plates (1 per child) God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2013 - SundaySchoolZone.com NT06 Lesson 3 Hour A
Going to See Jesus Going to See Jesus Maze Instructions: One copy per child. Child uses a marker or crayon to follow the path from the children to Jesus. NT06 Lesson 3 A Center Time: Bible Learing Center God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2013 - SundaySchoolZone.com
Jesus Loves Me Picture Jesus Loves Me! Jesus Loves Me Picture Instructions: Gender specific, suggest copying some of each. Teacher cuts out faces and shoes. Child chooses his gender to color. Glue the face at the top of the paper plate and the shoes at the bottom of the plate. Print Jesus loves me in the center of the paper plate. NT06 Lesson 3 Hour A Craft Time God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2013 - SundaySchoolZone.com
God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2012 - SundaySchoolZone.com God s Unfolding Story Cube Instructions: Cut out on dotted lines, fold on solid lines. Glue or tape to form a cube.
Coloring Sheet Jesus and the Children Jesus said, Let the little children come to Me (Mark 10:14). NT06 Lesson 3 Optional God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2013 - SundaySchoolZone.com