Bible Passage: 2 Chronicles 17 20 (Jehoshaphat) God Is Victorious REMEMBER VERSE Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced. 1 Chronicles 16:11 12 SERVICE SCHEDULE Explore Welcome & Engage 10 15 minutes Discover & Respond Large Group 30 minutes Respond & Bless 25 minutes 1
Inspire On June 23 rd, 2011, my little family was evacuated from our home the first day the Waldo Canyon fire in southern Colorado started burning. It was far enough from our neighborhood that we were sure we d be home again soon. But three days later (on our daughter s first birthday), a perfect storm of dry, windy conditions drove the fire over the ridge and into populated areas. Our house was destroyed. The fire eventually claimed a total of 18,000 acres and 347 homes, totally altering that part of our city and creating many homeless, hurting families. Needless to say, this was a very difficult time in our lives. But in spite of the circumstances, God worked in mighty ways and claimed victory over this tragedy. He used His people to provide for the victims of the fire both financially and emotionally. Countless friends, and even people we didn t know, donated household items, clothes, food, toys, and more to our family. We received several encouraging notes filled with God s words of comfort. He was so present with us as we began the healing process. Throughout that season and ever since, my husband and I have felt God s love and care overcome sadness and loss, creating a profound peace no earthly source could provide. He didn t take away our grief entirely, but He built in us a deep and lasting trust in His goodness and provision. He opened our eyes to understand that He can be completely victorious over any situation. Equip When biblical kings are evaluated, they re measured against the standard of their father David, a king who trusted and followed God. Very few kings in the history of Judah were godly enough that it was said of them, He walked in the ways of David. However, Jehoshaphat is one of those kings. His reign was generally considered one of the bright spots in Judah s history. What we learn from the life and reign of Jehoshaphat is that God gives victory to those who choose to follow Him. King Jehoshaphat had many noteworthy accomplishments. He sought the true and living God to guide him in his decisions and led the people back to the Lord (2 Chronicles 19:4). He sent teachers throughout the land to teach the people the ways of the Lord (v. 17:7). His system of public instruction was based on teaching God s Word. Jehoshaphat instituted judicial reform and appointed godly judges to preside over the courts in all the fortified cities in Judah, as well as appeals courts in Jerusalem (vv. 19:1 11). Under his leadership, Judah s defenses were fortified including fortified cities and storehouses to ensure Judah s security. The Lord blessed Judah with a season of peace and prosperity. This blessing can be directly linked to Jehoshaphat s heart and desire to follow God. However, even with all the wonderful spiritual reforms he instituted, there was one area of King Jehoshaphat s life where he didn t seek the Lord. At this point in history, Israel was split into two kingdoms north and south. The northern kingdom was known as Israel, the southern kingdom, Judah. Jehoshaphat made an alliance with Ahab in Israel to marry his son Jehoram to Athaliah, Ahab and Jezebel s daughter. Through Athaliah, Baal worship was introduced into Judah. The wicked queen nearly single-handedly wiped out the royal line of the Messiah (2 Kings 11:1). This was a devastating time in the history of Judah. As we look back at the faithfulness and mistakes of this human king, one thing remains the same. It is God, and God alone, who gives true victory to His people. Support In this week s portion of The Big God Story, we see God give victory to King Jehoshaphat and His people. Their enemies were out for blood, and there were a whole lot of them! God s people had good reason to run away scared or bear down and try to figure out how to survive on their own. But they didn t. Instead, they followed their king s lead and chose to trust God for the victory. And as He always does, God came through for them. Most of us haven t been on the front line of a physical battle, but as believers and leaders, we are camped out on the front line of a spiritual one every day of our lives. Reflect on the battles you re facing in your life right now. Are you anxious about an uncertain or scary situation? Do you have a relationship that is strained, hurting, or downright broken? Are you feeling suffocated by stress or addiction? Spend a minute or two naming your battles. You can keep them in your head or write them down on a piece of paper. Over and over throughout Scripture, God gives victory to His people. He wants to do the same in your life. God tells His people in Isaiah 41:13, For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Spend a few minutes praying to God. You might even want to reach out your right hand as a physical symbol that you know God is taking hold of it. What is the Holy Spirit speaking to your spirit? Do you need to let go of something you ve been holding so tightly to? Do you need to seek support and help from another believer or a professional? Do you need to simply lean back into the arms of your Father and trust that He s got it (and you) in His hands? Ask God to fight for you. Thank Him for giving you victory. 2
Lesson Overview: 2 Chronicles 17-20 Experience Time Summary Supplies/Prepare Explore Welcome & Engage 10 15 min. Exploration stations create space intended to transition children to lead them from the external world into an environment where they can commune with God, just as they are with all that they are. Jehoshaphat Jumbo (per small group) Toy army men or people figurines Toy farm animals (suggestions: cows, horses, chickens, etc.) Dried rice and/or beans Coloring Page (per child) Lesson themed coloring page Discover Large Group Respond Large Group 30 min. Facilitate interactive games, songs, and storytelling, allowing children to participate in discovering God s Word. Create space for children to respond to the Holy Spirit in worship and community. God is Victorious Worship songs Mail Time/Remember Verse What sit: Big Crayon The Big God Story Today in the Big God Story we will hear about King Jehoshaphat Worship through response Respond Review/Bless/ Connect/Create 15 30 min. Further process the story through discussion and interaction with others, and respond to God in worship through creative expression. Wonder Questions Resource (campus optional) Blessing Blessing/Remember Verse Bless 5 min Bless the children that they may experience God fully and be a blessing to others. Create: I Will Follow You! (per small group) Contact paper (9 x 9 square per child, clear) Tissue paper (different colored squares) I Will Follow You word strips Marker Glue sticks Engage: King, May I? (per small group) Masking tape Family First Look (hand out) 3
Explore 10-15 minutes Jehoshaphat Jumbo Children will have the opportunity to see and touch some objects that King Jehoshaphat used to care for God s people. SUPPLIES (per table) Toy army men or people figurines Toy farm animals (suggestions: cows, horses, chickens, etc.) Dried rice and/or beans SET UP Place the EXPLORE bin on the table. Fill the bin halfway with a mix of dried rice and/or beans. Mix in the figurines and animals. RELATE As children approach the EXPLORE station, encourage them to look for the items hidden in the bin. Engage children in conversation. Ask: What do you see in the bin? Go ahead and reach in and feel things. How do the items feel? Have you felt something like this before? Allow children to respond. What do they look like? How do you use them? Encourage conversation and play with the items. Today we will hear about how King Jehoshaphat was in a battle. Clean up/move to Large Group 5 min. A CD with clean up music will be played. At this time, please encourage and assist the kids with clean up and proceed to the large group programming area. Be sure to model for the kid s large group behavior. Please participate in all aspects of today s large group time. 4
LARGE Group Discover: (22 minutes) /Storyteller Children move into a large group setting and participate in discovering God s Word through storytelling, worship, and interactive experiences. Ponder Point God Is Victorious - this icon will help the tech or storyteller to know when to advance the slides in the Wonder playlist. Spot s Rules Mail Time Wardrobe of Wonder > > > SUPPLIES Countdown video w/ theme song (in playlist) Spot s Rules slide (in playlist) Worship music (in playlist) Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced. 1 Chronicles 16:11 12 REMEMBER VERSE MOTIONS Look to the LORD: Place right hand like a shade above eyebrows. and his strength: Hold up both arms and flex bicep muscles. seek his face always: Place pointer finger at top of head and move finger in a circle around your face. Remember the wonders he has done: Open up both hands to the sky and look upward. his miracles: Hold open hands in front of you. and the judgments he pronounced: Hit right fist to left open palm. SUPPLIES Remember Verse image or video Bible What sit Great Big Crayon There are many things we use to help us tell stories. Body language, facial expressions, music, and art are a few examples. Today you ll find a big crayon in the Wardrobe of Wonder. We ll use the crayon to help illustrate this part of The Big God Story as we see some of the ways God works through His people. The Big God Story > Worship Response > SUPPLIES Storytelling Video SUPPLIES Instrumental worship music Worship music 5
Spot s Rules (2 minutes) Each week children will begin their large group time with the rules of your preschool program. Spot s Rules is a time for simple reminders about how to be a part of a loving community by respecting each other. ENGAGE Welcome children as they re entering the large group meeting area. Direct the children to sit with their leaders in the designated area on the floor. Begin countdown video after the kids have all sat down. Be sure to introduce Spot to the children the first day he appears in your large group time. Say, Okay boys and girls, it s time to go over our rules! Show Spot s Rules slide and go over the two rules, Be Kind and Be Safe Once Spot s Rules are over, cue the Mail Time intro clip Mail Time (4 minutes) Each week children will receive mail in the mailbox you ve created. Written on the mail is the month s Remember Verse from the Bible. It s important for children to associate the message written on the mail as words from the Bible, so be sure to have a Bible visible for reference. Invite a child to come up on the stage to help you open today s mail. ENGAGE After the child opens the mailbox and retrieves the mail, ask your volunteer to be seated with their small group. The will then read the enclosed Remember Verse as it appears on the screen. Talk about the meaning of the verse while interacting with the children and other leaders onstage with you. Define any unfamiliar words for the children. The should lead the large group in reciting the Remember Verse several times together using a variety of engaging methods. Using the hand motions listed below, go over the verse two or three times with the kids. Use as much excitement and enthusiasm as you can! Treat this as a celebration an exciting time of introducing your children to God s Word. Applaud them for a job well done! Remember Verse Motions (Teacher Tip: Take your time, go slowly, break it down and explain the words as you go ) Cue Remember Verse motions video Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced. 1 Chronicles 16:11 12 REMEMBER VERSE MOTIONS Look to the LORD: Place right hand like a shade above eyebrows. and his strength: Hold up both arms and flex bicep muscles. seek his face always: Place pointer finger at top of head and move finger in a circle around your face. Remember the wonders he has done: Open up both hands to the sky and look upward. his miracles: Hold open hands in front of you. and the judgments he pronounced: Hit right fist to left open palm. 6
Worship Song: Big God Story (3 minutes) Invite the kids to stand and sing with you, using motions Cue the worship song in the playlist After the asks the kids to sit down, cue Wardrobe of Wonder intro clip LARGE Group Wardrobe of Wonder (5 minutes) The Wardrobe of Wonder is a fun and interactive entrance point into God s story. Each week a new object called a What sit, which is connected to and sometimes used in The Big God Story, is hidden in the wardrobe. The Storyteller,, or Worship Leader will select a child volunteer to assist her with retrieving the What sit. Together as a community, the children will discover the identity of this object as they begin to ask questions from their observations and experiences. What sit Great Big Crayon There are many things we use to help us tell stories. Body language, facial expressions, music, and art are a few examples. Today you ll find a big crayon in the Wardrobe of Wonder. We ll use the crayon to help illustrate this part of The Big God Story as we see some of the ways God works through His people. SET UP Invite a child volunteer up front to help find the What sit. Along with the child, choose special thinking hats out of the prop or hat box before looking into the wardrobe. ENGAGE After putting on your silly thinking hats, lead all of the children in putting on their imaginary thinking hats and making their special thinking hat sound. Invite your child volunteer to spy on the What sit by peeking into the wardrobe. When the wardrobe is opened, cue the Wardrobe of Wonder sound effect. Have him/her whisper the identity of the What sit in your ear to ensure he/she knows what it is. Together, close the wardrobe, then sit at the edge of the stage (or teaching area) on two small stools. Lead the children in a few questions about the identity of the What sit. Children will guess what the object is by asking yes-or-no questions of you and your assistant (child). You can ask your own questions of your assistant if the kids are struggling with this activity. Once the children have finished guessing correctly, ask your assistant to retrieve the What sit from the wardrobe and bring it to you. Thank your volunteer and encourage her to sit with her small group. ASK (Child s name), what did you find in the Wardrobe of Wonder? Volunteer answers. How do we use a crayon? Interact with all children and their responses. Why do you think there s a crayon in the wardrobe? Allow children to respond. Those are good ideas! Well, I think it s time we find out how a crayon fits into today s portion of The Big God Story. Do you know what time it is? 7
LARGE Group ***NOTE: Today s Big God Story lesson will be told via video on today s playlist. The following lesson dialogue is provided to use only if technical issues arise.*** The Big God Story Genesis 2 Chronicles 17-20 PRAYER OF RELEASE The Prayer of Release is a time for children and leaders to pause, be still, and ask God to quiet their hearts and minds. If you d like, encourage kids to hold their open hands in front of them in a spirit of releasing worries and distractions, to better receive what the Holy Spirit might have for them. After the children quiet their voices and still their bodies, ask them to pray with you. TEACHER NOTE The lesson is written in such a way that there are interaction opportunities for the kids to participate verbally or with actions. YOU as the large group communicator can decide if you want to include them as you teach or if you want to skip over it. It may depend on how your kids are responding that morning and if you feel it will help or hinder the teaching for that particular day. RELATE Hello, friends! Before we jump into The Big God Story, let s pray and ask God to speak to our hearts and teach us. Lead the children in a Prayer of Release. What happened in last week s portion of The Big God Story? I ll give you a hint. There were birds called ravens. Allow answers. Yes, God took care of Elijah by having the ravens bring him food! Today we re going to hear about a king named Jehoshaphat. Tech: Cue Wardrobe of Wonder sound effect. Remove Great Big Crayon from wardrobe. We re going to use the What sit from the wardrobe to help us tell this part of The Big God Story. Use crayon to write Jehoshaphat at top of easel paper; point to beginning of name. Everyone repeat after me: Je-hosha-phat. Allow children to respond. Great! God gave His people kings to rule over the land and keep the law. Draw picture of crown. Jehoshaphat was the king of God s chosen people in Judah (draw group of stick-figure people), and he loved and trusted God very much. Draw big red heart. Because he trusted God with his whole heart, God used Jehoshaphat to care for His people. The Lord God gave this king victory over the other kingdoms. What does victory mean? Kids answer. Good thinking. Victory means to win. Draw arm with big muscles on it. That also means the king had all of the army men, food, and supplies he needed to keep the Israelites safe. He knew that when he went into battle, God was with him and would give him victory over his enemies because God is victorious. He always wins! Who was with Jehoshaphat in battle? Allow children to respond. That s right, God! Draw picture of a stick-figure man and draw a taller, bigger man next to him to represent God. Before we go any further, I need a helper to come draw some parts with me. Choose helper or two from crowd. We ve heard many parts of The Big God Story. There were many kings who didn t trust and follow God (draw three stick figures with crowns, side by side, with sad faces on two), but not Jehoshaphat. He was just the opposite! He was a good king and did many things that honored God. (Child volunteer s name), will you please draw a happy face on the last king? Child draws. Thank you, (name of child)! Great job! Jehoshaphat knew it was wrong to worship other gods. So, he decided to remove anything the people had built to worship the pretend gods or idols. King Jehoshaphat also knew it was important for his people to know about God and who God is! God is victorious. He always wins! Draw picture of a scroll. He also sent out teachers and priests to teach all the people of his land about God, just like your leaders come to church and tell you about Jesus! Isn t that wonderful? Allow children to respond. 8
LARGE Group At this time, there were people in neighboring cities who fought with God s people from time to time. These people didn t like God s people and sometimes were very angry or jealous, because they didn t know the one true God. Friends, what does that mean? Kids answer. That s right, God always wins! (Child volunteer s name), will you please draw some angry faces? Child draws. Great job! When they saw and heard how Jehoshaphat trusted God and followed Him, they were afraid because they d heard the God of Israel is victorious. The people knew that if King Jehoshaphat and his people were trusting in God once again, God would fight their battles and protect them. So the enemies of God s people decided not to fight with His people. But one day, King Jehoshaphat made a bad decision. He made an agreement with another king an evil king that would make them partners in a war. Do you think God was happy? No! God didn t want Jehoshaphat to trust in an evil king for victory in battle. He wanted Jehoshaphat to put his trust in God alone the one true God because He alone is victorious. Even though King Jehoshaphat did this, God still loved him. God provided for Jehoshaphat and protected His people in the war. God gave King Jehoshaphat and his people the victory over their enemies because God is victorious. He gives us the victory today too when we pray and ask Him, and obey Him with all our hearts, no matter what. Next week when we gather together, we ll get to hear about a miracle someone just might get healed! But before we get to that, let s remember that when we trust God, He will fill us with His strength and give us everything we need to follow Him. God is victorious! Worship Song: I m Gonna Walk (3 minutes) Invite the kids to stand and sing with you, using motions Cue the worship song in the playlist Respond: 10 15 min. Friends, we know that God is good. We just heard that God is victorious He always wins. Even when we don t know how God will win, we can trust Him. When you think about how God is victorious, how does that make you want to respond to God today? Encourage and affirm answers. Worship Song: Above All Names (3 minutes) Invite the kids to stand and sing with you, using motions Cue the worship song in the playlist *Close with a corporate prayer of blessing and dismiss to small groups. 9
Respond 30 min. Snack/Wonder Questions Today in The Big God Story, we heard how God protected and guided King Jehoshaphat and his people, the Israelites. King Jehoshaphat chose to honor God and follow the path God had for him. He made sure his people learned about God so they could trust and follow Him too. God works through His people. SUPPLIES (per table/small group) Snacks Resource (campus optional) How did God give Jehoshaphat and His people the victory? Do you think it easy or hard for Jehoshaphat to trust God? Why? What can I trust God with today? Extra Resource: (Campus Optional) Each week additional questions/images are provided for your group to go a little deeper in its exploration of The Big God Story during your snack time. You can show this picture to your group to help remind them of the story as they are answering the Wonder questions listed in your curriculum. If time allows, there are also questions on the back of the picture. Please use your own Bible or the Bible provided in your small group bin to look up the specific verses that correspond with the questions. The kids will be challenged to listen for the answers while you read scripture as well as helping them learn how to look for truth in God s Word! Bless Today as the children prepare to be picked up by their families, have them gather in a circle while they hold the hearts they made in Create. Remind them of the time they just spent together, when they talked about trusting and following Jesus. What does the strip on your heart say? Allow answers. That s right. I will follow you. In Psalm 121:8 God s Word promises us, The LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Friends, the Lord God is with you today and always. May you always listen closely for His voice and learn to trust Him. He is victorious! Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced. 1 Chronicles 16:11 12 REMEMBER VERSE MOTIONS Look to the LORD: Place right hand like a shade above eyebrows. and his strength: Hold up both arms and flex bicep muscles. seek his face always: Place pointer finger at top of head and move finger in a circle around your face. Remember the wonders he has done: Open up both hands to the sky and look upward. his miracles: Hold open hands in front of you. and the judgments he pronounced: Hit right fist to left open palm. 10
Create: I Will Follow You! SUPPLIES (per small group) Contact paper (9 x 9 square per child, clear) Tissue paper (different colored squares) I Will Follow You word strips Marker glue sticks SET UP Cut contact paper in nine- by nine-inch squares, one per child. Trim each square into a heart-shaped piece. Place tissue paper in the middle of the table. Print and cut apart the I Will Follow You word strips. RELATE Today in The Big God Story, we heard that God is victorious. He always wins! Because He is victorious, we can trust Him with all of our hearts. When we trust in God with all our hearts, it means that we choose to listen to Him. We ll go wherever He asks us to go. We ll do whatever He asks us to do. We ll say whatever He asks us to say. We re going to make a heart to remind us to follow God with all our hearts. When children are ready, pull apart the contact-paper hearts and face the sticky side up. Encourage children to take tissue paper squares and place them all over the sticky side, until it s completely covered. The kids can then place the word strip on their heart as well-they may need to use the glue stick to be sure it sticks to their heart. Be sure to read it to them so they know what it says. Help them add their name if they d like. Engage: King, May I? Children will have the opportunity to pretend they re King Jehoshaphat. As they pretend to be the king, kids will give and follow directions, just like Jehoshaphat listened and followed God s leading. SUPPLIES (per table) Masking tape SET UP Place a piece of masking tape on the floor on each side of the room. This will help give children a gauge of where they should stand when starting and ending the game. RELATE Engage children in conversation. Ask: Have you ever played the game, Mother, May I? We re going to play a game similar to that game, except instead of saying, Mother, may I? we re going to say, King, may I? It s important that you listen very carefully to follow directions! Choose one child to be the king. Have her move about 10 feet away from the rest of the group. The king is going to give you instructions like, Ethan, take one step forward. When Ethan hears his name and command, he ll respond with King, may I? Before Ethan moves, he has to make sure he hears back from the king, Yes, you may! If you don t follow directions, you ll have to start over again and take another turn. The first person to make it over to the king s side wins! Family First Look Be sure to hand out this week s Family First Look to the parents as they pick up their child. This resource will help parents review this week s lesson with their child and look ahead to next week s lesson. It also has this week s Blessing and the current Remember Verse their kids are learning. 11