Editor Lorin E. Klistoff, M.A. Managing Editor Karen Goldfluss, M.S. Ed. Editor-in-Chief Sharon Coan, M.S. Ed. Illustrators Kevin Barnes Alexandra Artigas Renée Christine Yates Cover Artists Brenda DiAntonis Kevin Barnes Art Coordinator Kevin Barnes Art Director CJae Froshay Imaging Ralph Olmedo, Jr. Product Manager Phil Garcia Th New International Version of the Bible was used in preparing the actvities in this book. Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Publisher Mary D. Smith, M.S. Ed. Author Mary Tucker Teacher Created Resources, Inc. 6421 Industry Way Westminster, CA 92683 www.teachercreated.com ISBN: 978-0-7439-7104-1 2002 Teacher Created Resources, Inc. Reprinted, 2010 Made in U.S.A. The classroom teacher may reproduce copies of materials in this book for classroom use only. The reproduction of any part for an entire school or school system is strictly prohibited. No part of this publication may be transmitted, stored, or recorded in any form without written permission from the publisher.
Introduction............................... 3 Jesus Loves Me Bible Story............................ 4 Verse and Bulletin Board.................. 5 Announcing Jesus Birth.................. 6 God s Love Action Rhyme............... 7 Why Did He Come?..................... 8 A Reminder of Jesus Love................ 9 Word Search Fun....................... 10 Wise Men Finger Puppets................ 11 Jesus Understands Me Bible Story........................... 12 Verse and Bulletin Board................. 13 Help for Growing Up.................... 14 Bible Scroll........................... 15 Jesus Understands Song................ 16 Bible Verse Puzzle...................... 17 Jesus and Me.......................... 18 Jesus Teaches Me How to Live for God Bible Story........................... 19 Verse and Bulletin Board................. 20 God s Word for Me..................... 21 A Mini-Book.......................... 22 Follow Me Craft...................... 24 In His Steps........................... 25 Disciples Cards........................ 26 Jesus Cares When I m Sick Bible Story........................... 27 Verse and Bulletin Board................. 28 Jesus the Healer........................ 29 Thanking Jesus........................ 30 Jesus Cares Banners................... 31 Banner Patterns........................ 32 Message Maze......................... 33 Praying for the Sick..................... 34 Jesus Listens to Me Bible Story........................... 35 Verse and Bulletin Board................. 36 How and Where to Pray.................. 37 God Hears Us......................... 38 Giving Thanks......................... 39 Prayer Circle Pattern.................... 40 Prayer Action Rhyme.................... 41 Prayer Changes Things.................. 42 Jesus Gives Me What I Need Bible Story........................... 43 Verse and Bulletin Board................. 44 Don t Worry Song.................... 45 What to Do........................... 46 Bible Verse Maze....................... 47 Moses Asks, God Provides................ 48 Thankfulness Flowers................... 49 Flower Patterns........................ 50 Jesus Protects Me Bible Story........................... 51 Verse and Bulletin Board................. 52 Don t Be Afraid........................ 53 Guardian Angel Scene................... 54 Sleeping Child Pattern................... 55 When Is He with Me?................... 56 Calling for Protection................... 57 Jesus Died for Me Bible Story........................... 58 Verse and Bulletin Board................. 59 His Choice............................ 60 A Song About Jesus Death............... 61 What Jesus Death Shows................ 62 Stand-Up Crosses...................... 63 Calvary Maze......................... 64 Jesus Gives Me Life Bible Story........................... 65 Verse and Bulletin Board................. 66 Resurrection Acrostic.................... 67 Resurrection Mini-Book................. 68 Punch-Out Window Plaque............... 70 Window Plaque Pattern.................. 71 Jesus Has a Home Prepared for Me Bible Story........................... 72 Verse and Bulletin Board................. 73 Jesus Pattern.......................... 74 Heavenly Words........................ 75 Heavenly Doorknob Hanger............... 76 Questions and Answers.................. 77 Heaven Mobile........................ 78 Answer Key.............................. 79 #7104 Jesus, My Best Friend 2 Teacher Created Resources, Inc.
Bible Story Focus: Jesus Is Born (Luke 1:26 38; 2:1 20) Since the story of Jesus birth is familiar to many children, try sharing it in a unique way. Practice the following Bible story rhyme so you can tell or read it to your students smoothly with excitement and appropriate facial expressions. What would you do if an angel came from heaven to talk to you? Well, that s the way the story of Jesus birth began. It s true! God sent His angel Gabriel with a message down to the earth. God s message was for Mary, a poor girl of lowly birth. The Lord is with you, Gabriel said as Mary stared with surprise. Why, she wondered, would an angel of God appear before my eyes? Don t be afraid, the angel said. You re going to have a son. He will be the child of God, His love gift to everyone. It happened just as Gabriel said, and he visited Joseph, too, to explain what God had planned and tell Joseph what to do. The months went by and Mary felt the baby growing inside her. She wasn t worried because she knew the Lord would help and guide her. Then one day Joseph told Mary, Caesar had made a decree That everyone be counted, and that includes you and me. We have to go to Bethlehem; we ll leave without delay. And so they went, but when they arrived there was no place to stay Until a friendly innkeeper said they could use his stable. Mary lay down and Joseph made her as comfortable as he was able. Mary s child was born that night as God watched over them. She laid Him in a manger in that stall in Bethlehem. Meanwhile, shepherds guarding sheep out in fields nearby Saw an angel suddenly appear up in the sky. Don t be afraid, the angel said. My news will bring you joy! The Savior has been born this night, God s little baby boy. You ll find Him in a manger, a sign of God s great love. Then suddenly more angels began praising God above. The shepherds went and found the child in that cattle stall, And then they hurried off to spread the word to one and all. They praised the Lord for what they d seen, for what they had to tell. The Son of God had come to the earth, Jesus, Emmanuel. #7104 Jesus, My Best Friend 4 Teacher Created Resources, Inc.
Verse and Bulletin Board Memory Verse: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) John 3:16 is probably the most familiar verse in the Bible. Discuss it with your students, explaining any words they don t understand, such as perish. Ask students how God showed His love for the world. Ask, What happens when we believe in Jesus? To make the verse more personal, say the verse again. This time replace the words the world and whoever with your name, adding the word if after the word that and the word he or she before the word shall. Then have students say the verse that way, using their own names. For example, For God so loved (name) that he gave his one and only Son, that if (name) believes in him, he/she shall not perish but have eternal life. Bulletin Board: Jesus Loves Me 1. Cover a bulletin board with brightly colored paper. 2. Print the words of John 3:16 on word cards. For the words the world, cut a large circle from construction paper. Draw continents on it. Color them brown or green. Color the rest blue. 3. Glue or tape a small photo of each of your students on the world. 4. Mount the word cards and photo circle on the board. 5. Cut letters from black paper for the caption Jesus Loves Me. 6. Attach them across the top of the board. 7. Then add two, large, red paper hearts to the board as shown below. Jesus Loves Me For God so loved that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 Teacher Created Resources, Inc. 5 #7104 Jesus, My Best Friend
Announcing Jesus Birth Complete the birth announcement for Mary s baby. Then look up the Bible verses to check your work. Birth Announcement Baby s Name: (Luke 1:31) Mother: (Luke 1:30 31) Father: (Luke 1:35) Birthplace: (Luke 2:7) Description of Baby: (Luke 1:32 33) First Visitors: (Luke 2:15 16) Other Names for Baby: (Luke 1:35) (Luke 2:11) How was Jesus birth was different than yours? How was his birth like yours? #7104 Jesus, My Best Friend 6 Teacher Created Resources, Inc.
God s Love Action Rhyme Have students repeat this rhyme after you and do the actions. Talk about it to make sure they understand what Jesus did for them. Ask them how we should respond to God s love. From way up in heaven (Point up and stretch as tall as you can.) Clear down to this earth, (Squat down and touch the ground/floor.) God sent His Son, Jesus. (Point to the palms of hands with index finger, one at a time.) That s how much I m worth. (Point to yourself.) God loves the whole world (Hold your arms in a circle overhead.) Just like He loves me. (Hug yourself.) Forgiven and holy (Spread your arms wide and smile.) Is what we can be (Twirl around once.) Because Jesus came (Point to the palms of hands with one finger, one at a time.) From heaven above (Point up and stretch as tall as you can.) To die for our sins. (Point to yourself, then others.) That s the size of God s love! (Stretch your arms as wide as you can and smile.) Teacher Created Resources, Inc. 7 #7104 Jesus, My Best Friend