Early Foundations Curriculum - PDF Free Download

Early Foundations Equipping Churches, Empowering Parents The Bible Table of Contents Monthly Letter Verse: Psalm 119:105 Song: The B-I-B-L-E Prayer Sunday School Suggested Order of Activities Week 1 The Bible Craft: Verse Door Hanger Week 2 A Letter From God Craft: Painting Words Week 3 The Ten Commandments Craft: Mt. Sinai Picture Week 4 The Four Gospels Craft: Gospel Tracing Assessment Monthly Craft List Supplemental Pages 2

Early Foundations Equipping Churches, Empowering Parents Dear Parents, Welcome to a new month. This month it will be handy to have your Bible with you when you read to your child and answer the Parent/Child Weekly study questions, as this month s theme is the Bible. That God divinely inspired the writings found in the Bible as well as the fundamentals of how the Bible is structured are covered. Additionally, the great question of why the Bible was written for us is reinforced throughout the month. This great gift from God can sometimes be confusing to children (as well as adults.) Introducing the Bible early to our children is essential in their comfort and ultimate daily study of this amazing book of love. Our topic for this month is: The Bible. We will be learning the verse: Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105 Our song is: The B-I-B-L-E The books we will be reading are the following: The Bible A Letter from God The Ten Commandments The Four Gospels We will have copies of books, verses, and songs for you to read, explore, and discuss with your children, as well as weekly study guides to assist you throughout the month. We look forward to the month ahead and are excited about partnering with you to raise spiritual children in the community of Christ. Sincerely, Children s Ministry Director www.kidsfaith.org 3

Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105 4

Song: The B-I-B-L-E The B-I-B-L-E, yes, that s the book for me I stand alone on the word of God, the B-I-B-L-E The B-I-B-L-E, yes, that s the book for me I stand alone on the word of God, the B-I-B-L-E The B-I-B-L-E, yes, that s the book for me I stand alone on the word of God, the B-I-B-L-E Prayer: Thank you God for loving me, and thank you for giving me the Bible. In Jesus name, Amen 5

Sunday School Suggested Order of Activities 10-15 minutes: Children Arrive; Playtime 5 minutes: Clean-up and gather for Circle time 15 minutes: Circle Time Gather children around and welcome Remind children of the Theme of the month Sing Song Say Verse Read Story Ask three questions Explain Craft- show example Pray 10 minutes: Craft 15 minutes: Playtime; Parent pick-up **** All times are approximate. The order and length of the circle time can be expanded. For example, if more than one song is desired, then certainly that is encouraged. Furthermore, expanded prayer times with prayer requests, longer welcoming times getting to know students is helpful, and further follow-up questions can be added naturally. These times are simply a suggestion and were designed to create a cohesive and consistent experience from week to week. 6

Week One 7

The Bible Illustrated by Jean Evanson 9

It was quiet time at Robby s house. Everyone was reading. Robby was reading a silly book about a bunny and a turtle. 11

What are you reading? Robby asked his dad when he finished his last page. I m reading a very special book called the Bible, replied his father. Robby climbed into his father s lap. Really, what is it about? 13

Well, began Robby s dad, the Bible is a book from God. It contains stories, and history, and commandments, and instructions for us all. Really? But it is so long. Who wrote it? Robby asked looking through the pages. Many different people wrote it, but God gave them the words. He told them what to say. 15

Why did He do that? Because He wanted to tell us all about the world and why He created it. He also wanted to tell us about many important people and places. Most of all, he wanted to tell us about Jesus. 17

The Bible talks about Jesus? Yes, Jesus life is talked about in the part of the Bible called the New Testament, it is over here, said his dad pointing to the last part of the book. 19

Wow! So, God gave us this book to teach us all sorts of important things. Yes, said Robby s dad. Most of all, God gave us the Bible because he loves us; whenever we read it we learn how much God loves us all. That is a pretty special book, said Robby smiling. 21

Classroom Questions What was Robby s dad reading? Who wrote the Bible? Why did God write the Bible? Parent/child weekly study What is the first part of the Bible called? What is the second part called? What is the Bible about? Who does the Bible tell us about? What part of the Bible is Jesus in? 22

Weekly Craft Activity Verse Door Hanger Materials: Copy of Verse Copies of Door Hanger Box of decorations Glue Glue the verse onto door hanger. Decorate with various decorations. 23

Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105 Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105 Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105 25

Toddler Version The Bible Robby was reading a book one night. His dad was reading the Bible. Tell me about the Bible, Robby said. The Bible is a book from God about the world, people, and Jesus. Jesus is in the part of the Bible called the New Testament. God gave us the Bible because he loves us. 26

Week Two 27

A Letter From God Illustrated by Noel Tuazon 29

Dear Child, I wanted to tell you all the wonderful things about your world, So, I wrote you a book. 31

I wanted to tell you about wise men and beautiful places. So, I wrote you a book. 33

I wanted to give you songs to sing and stories to remember. So, I wrote you a book. 35

I wanted to tell you about my son Jesus. So, I wrote you a book. 37

I wanted to tell you how to be safe and help others. So, I wrote you a book. 39

The book is called the Bible, and though it may be hard to understand sometimes, remember, I wrote it for you, so that you can know about me and how much I love you! Love, God. 41

Classroom Questions What book did God write for you? What kinds of things are in the Bible? Why did God write the Bible for you? Why did God write the Bible? Parent/child weekly study What does God try to teach us in the Bible? Who is in the Bible? God wrote the Bible because he loves you. Let s thank God together for loving us and giving us his book. 42

Weekly Craft Activity Painting Words Materials: Pieces of white paper (one per child) White crayon Watercolor paints Water Brushes Before children arrive, write The Bible is a gift from God with white crayon on the white paper (one per child.) Have children paint over the words with the watercolor paints. The words will appear. 43

Week Three 45

The Ten Commandments Illustrated by Jean Evanson 47

A long time ago there was a man named Moses. He was the leader of the Israelites. Moses had led the Israelites out of slavery and they traveled to a mountain called Mount Sinai. 49

God told Moses that he wanted to talk to the Israelites. In three days he would come down in a cloud and give them instructions. 51

The Israelites were very excited to hear from God. On the third day a loud trumpet sounded from the mountain and a huge cloud formed over the peaks. Moses climbed up the mountain to listen to God. 53

God gave the Israelites and Moses Ten Commandments. Commandments are like rules to follow. God gave these rules to the Israelites to help them live a better life. 55

There was a lot of thunder and lightning while God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, and the Israelites were very afraid. 57

Don t be afraid, said Moses to the Israelites. God is giving you these Ten Commandments to help you. The Israelites knew that God loved them. God loved the Israelites very much, and he loves you too! 59

God wants us to remember the Ten Commandments. They are found in the Bible. Here they are: 1. Love the Lord your God 2. Do not worship idols 3. Do not misuse the name of God 4. Remember the Sabbath 5. Honor your father and mother 6. Do not kill 7. Do not cheat 8. Do not steal 9. Do not lie 10. Do not be jealous 61

Classroom Questions What did God give the Israelites? What are commandments? What rules do we have that we must obey? Parent/child weekly study God gave the Israelites commandments, which are like rules. What rules do we follow? What mountain did God speak to Moses on? Who was Moses? Why were the Israelites afraid? What are you afraid of sometimes? 62

Weekly Craft Activity Mt. Sinai Picture Materials: Copies of Mt. Sinai picture (one per child) Cotton Balls Crayons Glue Have students color the picture of Moses climbing Mt. Sinai. Glue cotton balls around the top of the mountain. 63

Toddler Version The Ten Commandments Once there was a man named Moses. Moses was the leader of the Israelites. God talked to Moses on a mountain called Mt. Sinai. God gave Moses some rules called commandments. God gave these commandments to help people live better lives. God loves you and wants you to follow his rules too. 65

Week Four 67

The Four Gospels 69

Janna was sitting at the kitchen table working on her letters. G-O-S-P-E-L, that spells gospel, she wrote with her pen. 71

What is a gospel? She asked her mom who was writing in her journal. A gospel? Well, gospel means good news, and there are four very special books in the Bible called gospels. Their names are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. 73

What are they about? Asked Janna as she wrote the letters M-A-T-T-H-E-W. They are about Jesus, replied her mom. 75

They are all about Jesus? Asked Janna as she wrote the letters M-A-R-K. Yes, they tell about the life of Jesus, and they are special because they each tell a different part of his story. Together they tell us how wonderful Jesus is. 77

What else? Asked Janna as she wrote the letters L-U-K-E. They also tell us about how Jesus died, and then rose again. 79

What else? Asked Janna as she wrote the letters J-O-H-N. Most important, they tell us how much Jesus loves us. 81

Wow, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Those are the gospels of Jesus! They tell me all about him, Janna said writing the letters J-E-S-U-S. And how much he loves you, her mom concluded. 83

Classroom Questions What does the word Gospel mean? What are the four Gospels? Who are the Gospels about? Parent/child weekly study Where are the Gospels in the Bible? Who are the Gospels about? What do they tell us about Jesus? What would you like to say to Jesus? 84

Weekly Craft Activity Gospel Letter Tracing Materials: Copies of Tracing Page (one per student) Pens or Pencils Have students trace the letters with a pen or pencil. Talk to the students about the four Gospels and how they are all about Jesus. Supplement: You can add stickers or coloring for decoration. 85

Toddler Version The Four Gospels Janna was practicing her letters at the table. What are the Gospels, she asked her mom. The gospels are four books in the Bible. What are they about? Asked Janna. They are all about Jesus, replied her mom. They tell us how wonderful Jesus is. How much Jesus loves us. 87

Monthly Assessment: The Bible Your child: Age: Date: Progress: Mastered Developing New N/A Sings: The B-I-B-L-E Can recite: Psalm 119:105 Can explain why God wrote The Bible Prays/Thanks God for the Bible Comments: 88

Week 1: Door Hanger Copies of Verse Copies of Door Hanger Box of Decorations Glue Monthly Craft List: The Bible Week 2: Painting Words Pieces of White Paper White Crayon Watercolor Paints Brushes Cups of Water Week 3: Mt. Sinai Picture Copies of Mt. Sinai Picture Cotton Balls Crayons Glue Week 4: Gospel Letter Tracing Copies of Gospel Tracing page Pens or Pencils 89

Supplemental Pages These supplemental pages were designed to give teachers further options for crafts and activities in the classroom. 90

Match the letters 91

Complete the sentences and then read the message! can read the Bible. The Bible is a special book for. God teaches from the Bible. God loves. 92

Connect the letters to make the word BIBLE B B I L E 93

Early Foundations Curriculum is published by Foundations Publishing, LLC For more information or to order, visit www.kidsfaith.org. 100