God Loves Us Session 1 Lessons for the Leader When we pray, we are communicating with God. How does it make you feel to know that God wants to have a conversation with you? Overwhelmed? Indifferent? Loved? Intimidated? In Matthew 6 we discover what Jesus had to say to the disciples about prayer. Read Matthew 6:5-8. Did you notice that Jesus assumed His followers would pray? Notice also that His instructions about prayer included things the disciples should not do. What do you think was the motivation behind the prayers of the hypocrites? What was their reward? Jesus' followers were instructed to avoid the practices of idolaters who babbled spoke meaningless combinations of words believed to have special powers. Jesus directs His followers instead to find a private place to pray where the audience is God rather than others. Where is your private place to pray? Read verses 9-13. After Jesus instructed the disciples on how to pray (v. 5-8), He demonstrated a prayer that was to be an example for praying together as a group. What types of things did Jesus include in this Model Prayer? How do your prayers compare to Jesus' prayer? Reflect on your prayer life. As you prepare to teach children this week, spend time in prayer engage in conversation with the Heavenly Father. In your own words, praise Him for who He is, ask Him to meet your needs, and thank Him for all He supplies. Then, as in any good conversation, listen for Him to speak to you. Draw from this experience as you help children learn to pray. What do these symbols mean? Application Activities Format: 1t Follow the numbers with arrows for a 30-minute large group plus 20-minute Application Activities format. Large Group Format: 1 Follow all the numbers for a 45- to 60-minute large group only format. Learning to Communicate Focus Passage: Matthew 6:5-13 Key Bible Verse: Matthew 6:9 Life Application: I can learn to pray. Session at a Glance Introduction to Worship (6 to 8 minutes) Greet the Children Play "Communication Concentration" Worship (30 minutes/45 minutes) Call to Worship/Pray Sing "These Are the Names of God" Sing "We Are Amazed" Learn the Key Bible Verse Introduce the Life Application Introduce the Bible Story Tell and Apply the Bible Story/Pray Review the Bible Story Sing "Wherever You Go"/Receive Offering Show "The Agency" Video #1 Play "Who Prayed?" Sing "Remarkable" Application Activities (20 minutes) Wrap-Up (10 minutes) OK to copy. Page 1 of 27
Introduction to Worship 1tGreet the Children Pull It Together Distribute "God Loves Us Parent Connection" as parents arrive. 2tPlay "Communication Concentration" Pull It Together Scissors Print 2 sets of "Concentration" (CD). Cut apart. Display facedown. Teacher Tips Form teams for every 4-5 children. Enlarge the cards, place in the Giant Game Floor Mat*, and play as a large group. Form two teams and gather around the cards. Explain: "The first team will turn over two cards. If the cards match, pick them up. If they do not match, turn them back over. Repeat for the other team. Continue until you match all of the cards." Display the cards faceup. Ask: "What do these items have in common?" Say: "All of these are ways we communicate. Let's learn how to communicate with God." Worship 3tCall to Worship/Pray (2 minutes) Invite a child to read aloud Psalm 92:1-2. Say: "God wants us to praise and to talk with Him. Let's ask God to help us to know more about Him." Invite the children to pray sentence prayers. 4t Sing "These Are the Names of God" (DVD, 3 minutes) 5 Sing "We Are Amazed" (DVD, 3 minutes) 6tLearn the Key Bible Verse (3 minutes) Guide kids to open their Bibles to Matthew 6:9. Select volunteers to read aloud the verse. Say: "This verse is part of our Bible story. Jesus was teaching the disciples how to pray." Guide the boys to say the verse, then the girls. 7 Introduce the Life Application (4 minutes) Pull It Together "Concentration" cards from step 2, tape Ask: "What does it mean to communicate with someone? How do you communicate with your friends?" Invite the children to respond. Display the "Concentration" cards. Ask: "Which of these ways do you use to communicate with your friends? What are some challenges to using these methods?" Continue: "Which of these methods can we use to communicate with God?" Explain: "People in Jesus' time had different ideas of how to communicate with God. The disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray. Just like the disciples, we can pray knowing God will hear and answer our prayers." 8tIntroduce the Bible Story (2 minutes) Guide the children to locate Matthew 6:5-13 in their Bibles. Say: "These verses contain a prayer of Jesus' that is often called 'The Lord's Prayer.' Let's look at the words of His prayer and discover what they mean." Explain: "Let me define a word for you. Hypocrites are 'people who say they love God, but their words do not match their actions.' Listen for what Jesus said about hypocrites. Compare and contrast how they pray to what Jesus said." 9t Tell and Apply the Bible Story/Pray (10 minutes) Pull It Together Scissors, tape Print "Prayer" Teaching Picture (CD). Display. Print and cut apart "Words" (CD). Attach the "Hypocrites' Way" and "Jesus' Way" signs to the focal wall. Display other words as directed. Open your Bible to Matthew 6. Learning to Communicate Based on Matthew 6:5-13 Read aloud Matthew 6:5. Ask: "How did the hypocrites pray?" Display "Standing in synagogues," "On street Learning to Communicate Page 2 of 27
corners," and "Seen by men" signs under the "Hypocrites' Way" sign. Select a volunteer to read aloud Matthew 6:6. Display "Privately," "God will see," and "God will reward" signs under "Jesus' Way." Select a volunteer to read aloud Matthew 6:7-8. Display "Babbling" and "Many words" under the "Hypocrites' Way." Display "God knows" under "Jesus' Way." Read aloud verses 9-13. Display "Praise God," "God's will," "Ask God for what you need," "Forgiveness," and "Guidance" under "Jesus' Way." Talk about the words and how they help people focus on praying the way Jesus taught. Call attention to the teaching picture. Say: "Jesus was not saying for us never to pray in public. We pray in public at church. What Jesus was saying is that when we pray, we should not try to use big words that will impress people. Jesus wants us to praise God, tell God what we need, ask for forgiveness, and ask God to help us live in ways that please and honor Him. When we pray, we should remember we are talking to God, not to other people. Use words you know and understand." Conclude: "Let's pray right now. Everyone close your eyes. Do not look at the people around you. Talk with God. Tell Him how great He is. Ask Him to help you have the things you need. Pray for your family and friends. Ask God to help you live in ways that please and honor Him." Close the prayer time. 10tReview the Bible Story (6 minutes) Pull It Together Worship Guides, pencils Distribute Worship Guides and pencils. Guide the children to complete "God's Way." Review the statements. Call attention to "Parts of a Prayer." Say: "Different people have different ways to help them remember what to pray. We can PAT a prayer. Praise God for who He is. Ask Him to forgive us of the things we do wrong. Ask Him to give us the things we need. Finally, we can Thank Him for the things He does for us." Say: "This week, take a few minutes to write a prayer to God in the 'A Prayer for Today' area." 11t Sing "Wherever You Go" (DVD, 3 minutes)/receive Offering 12t Show "The Agency" Video #1 (DVD, 6 minutes) Ask: "When you are in a difficult situation, do you pray specifically for God to help you? Let's discover what happens when Margene is captured by MUDD." Show the video. Inquire: "How specific was Margene in her prayer? Did God answer her the way she wanted? Why?" Discuss Margene's prayer and how God responded. Continue: "When we pray, we can ask God for the things we need. We can be specific, but we should not be upset when God answers our prayers in different ways. Sometimes God uses people or situations to help us trust Him in other ways." 13 Play "Who Prayed?" (4 minutes) Pull It Together Scissors, pencils Print "Who Prayed?" (CD). Copy and cut apart a card for each child. Distribute "Who Prayed?" cards and pencils. Explain: "Jesus' prayer is not the only prayer in the Bible. Let's see how well you know some other prayers. I will read aloud a statement. Put a number 1 by the person's name you think may have prayed this prayer." Read aloud the first prayer. Guide the children not to say anything, but to write a number 1 beside the name. Continue for the additional prayers, numbering 2, 3, 4, and so forth. Reread the prayers, inviting the children to state the answers. Conclude: "When we read the Bible, we learn more about praying to God. We can pray anywhere, anytime, and about anything. We can know God will always hear and answer our prayers. He may not answer our prayers in the way we want Him to, but He will answer." 14 Sing "Remarkable" (DVD, 3 minutes) 15t Transition to Application Activities or Wrap-Up God Loves Us Session 1 Page 3 of 27
Wrap-Up (Large Group Only Format) Wrap-Up (Application Activities Format) 16 Play "Text Me If You Know" (5 minutes) Pull It Together Cell phones with texting ability (1 per team), paper, marker Write your cell phone number on the paper and display. Teacher Tips Use adults' cell phones. Don't have cell phones available? Allow the kids to write their answers on index cards. Form groups of 6 to 8 children. Give each group a cell phone. Display and call attention to your cell phone number. Say: "I will ask a question. The first team to text me the correct answer earns a point." Read aloud the one of the "Questions" and allow the children to text the answer. Announce the winner. Continue with additional questions as time permits. 17 Sing "Whoa!" (DVD, 3 minutes) 16t Review Application Activities (5 minutes) Invite the children to share their Application Activity experiences. ttarts and Crafts PAT Pillows ttdramatic Play "Who Said That?" ttgames Prayer Islands ttexploration and Discovery Snack Mix/Bible Prayers 17tPlay "Shout the Answer" (3 minutes) Form groups of 6 to 8 children. Say: "I will ask a question. The first team to shout out the correct answer earns a point." Read aloud one of the "Questions" and allow the children to shout the answer. Announce the winner. Continue with additional questions as time permits. 18tPray (2 minutes) Invite volunteers to pray. 19tDismiss the Children to Their Parents Play "Whoa!" (DVD) as the parents arrive. 18 Pray (2 minutes) Invite volunteers to pray. 19 Dismiss the Children to Their Parents Questions Who wanted Jesus to teach them to pray? A. Hypocrites; B. Disciples; C. Pharisees From which book of the Bible did we study about Jesus' prayer? A. Matthew; B. Mark; C. Luke What is Jesus' prayer sometimes called? A. Prayer for People; B. The Greatest Prayer; C. The Lord's Prayer Where did Jesus say to pray? A. Street corner; B. In private; C. Only at church When you pray, to whom are you talking? A. Your friends; B. Your pastor; C. God When you pray, you should use big words that impress other people. A. True; B: False What does PAT stand for? A. Praise, Admit, Tell; B. Praise, Ask, Thank; C. Party, Ask, Talk God Loves Us Session 1 Worship KidStyle Children s Edition Leader Guide, Volume 12 2016 LifeWay. Page 4 of 27
Application Activities Select from the following choices. Each choice is designed for 20 minutes of small group time. Pull It Together Felt (various colors), craft glue, scissors, polyester filling Print "Pillow" (CD). Teacher Tip Precut the letters. Worship Through Arts and Crafts PAT Pillows Place the craft supplies on the table. Follow directions on "Pillow" (p. 1). Begin the conversation as the children make their pillows. Ask: "Have you ever heard someone's voice and immediately known who was speaking? How did you learn to recognize the person's voice? Do you think God recognizes your voice when you pray? Why?" Say: "We learned how Jesus taught the disciples to pray. What can we learn from Jesus' teaching?" Review the Bible story and read aloud Matthew 6:9. Ask: "What does it mean to pray? Why should we pray? How should we act when we pray?" Talk about the importance of praying. Ask: "Do you remember what PAT stands for?" Say: "The letter P helps us remember to praise God. The letter A reminds us we can ask for the things we need as well as ask God to forgive us of the things we do wrong. Finally, T stands for thank. We can thank God for what He does." Explain: "Place your pillows on your bed. Each day this week, take time to PAT." Invite the children to pray sentence prayers. Pull It Together Scissors; paper towel tubes, megaphone, cloth, other items to speak through Print and cut apart "Prayer" (CD). Teacher Tip Encourage the children to speak in different vocal tones. Worship Through Dramatic Play "Who Said That?" Ask: "Have you ever heard someone's voice and immediately known who was speaking? How did you learn to recognize the person's voice? Let's see how well you can recognize someone's voice." Explain: "I will select someone to read aloud a statement. If I pick you, use one of the props to speak into. You can speak in a different tone of voice." Select a child to move to a different part of the room and close his eyes. Pick another child to select a prop and read aloud a card. Invite the child with his eyes closed to guess who read the statement. Reveal the correct child. Continue as time permits. Ask: "Do you think God recognizes your voice when you pray? Why?" Say: "We learned how Jesus taught the disciples to pray. What can we learn from Jesus' teaching?" Review the Bible story and read aloud Matthew 6:9. Talk about the importance of praying as you review the "Prayer" cards. Ask: "Do you remember what PAT stands for?" Say: "The letter P helps us remember to praise God. The letter A reminds us we can ask for the things we need as well as ask God to forgive us of the things we do wrong. Finally, T stands for thank. We can thank God for what He does." Invite the children to pray sentence prayers. God Loves Us Session 1 Page 5 of 27
Pull It Together 6 hula hoops, CD player, instrumental CD, index cards, marker, safety pin, brad Print and assemble "Spinner" (CD). Print "Questions" (CD). Place the hoops on the floor in random order. Write the numbers 1 to 6 on index cards (1 per card). Place 1 card in each hoop. Teacher Tip Adjust the "Spinner" numbers as needed. Pull It Together Snack-size ziplock bags; small pretzels, mini-marshmallows, chocolate chips, raisins, other items for trail mix; spoons; plastic bowls; scissors; pencils Print "Who Prayed?" (CD). Copy and cut apart page 1 (1 card per child). Print and cut apart "Prayer" (CD). Prepare and post an allergy chart. Worship Through Games Prayer Islands Ask: "What does it mean to pray to God? How should we act when we pray? What should we say?" Read aloud Matthew 6:9. Say: "Jesus taught the disciples how to pray. Let's review what we learned as we play a game." Call attention to the hoops. Explain: "As the music plays, walk around the hoops. When the music stops, pick a hoop to stand in. I will spin the spinner. If you are standing in the hoop indicated by the spinner, you are out. Step to the side. We will continue until only one player is left. She will answer a question and then we will play again." Play the game using the "Questions." Replay as time permits. Say: "We know a lot about what Jesus taught. How much do we practice what we learned? Why and when should we pray?" Talk about the importance of praying. Ask: "Do you remember what PAT stands for?" Say: "The letter P helps us remember to praise God. The letter A reminds us we can ask for the things we need as well as ask God to forgive us of the things we do wrong. Finally, T stands for thank. We can thank God for what He does." Invite the children to pray sentence prayers. Worship Through Exploration and Discovery Snack Mix/Bible Prayers Place the snack items on the table and distribute ziplock bags. Invite the children to select and mix the items they would like for a snack. Say: "Jesus taught the disciples how to pray. Let's review what He said." Distribute "Prayer" cards. Invite the children to read aloud the statements. Review the Bible story and read aloud Matthew 6:9. Ask: "Do you remember what PAT stands for?" Say: "The letter P helps us remember to praise God. The letter A reminds us we can ask for the things we need as well as ask God to forgive us of the things we do wrong. Finally, T stands for thank. We can thank God for what He does." Inquire: "What would happen if all we did was ask God for things? Would our prayer lives be balanced? No. We need to praise, ask, and thank." Distribute "Who Prayed?" cards and pencils. Explain: "Jesus' prayer is not the only prayer in the Bible. Let's see how well you know some other prayers. I will read aloud a statement. Put a number 1 by the person's name you think prayed this prayer." Read aloud "Who Prayed?" Guide the children not to say anything, as they number the names in the order of the statements you read. Reread the statements, inviting the children to state the answers. Conclude: "When we read the Bible, we learn more about praying to God. We can pray anywhere, anytime, and about anything. We can know God will always hear and answer our prayers." Invite the children to pray sentence prayers. Worship KidStyle Children s Edition Leader Guide, Volume 12 2016 LifeWay. OK to copy. Page 6 of 27
Learning to Communicate Matthew 6:5-13 GOD'S WAY Complete the dot to dots. Match each statement with the correct drawing. Check your answers by reading Matthew 6:5-13. Key Bible Verse: Matthew 6:9 Life Application: I can learn to pray. PARTS OF A PRAYER Jesus praised God, asked for the things He needed, and thanked God for the things He supplied. Privately Ask God for what you need Seen by men God will see Babble God will reward HYPOCRITE Standing in synagogues Ask for forgiveness and guidance Use many words Remember to PAT when you pray. A PRAYER FOR TODAY Read the words of Jesus prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. Write your own prayer. On street corners God knows what you pray Pray for God's will GOD'S WAY Praise God God Loves Us Session 1 Worship KidStyle Children's Edition Worship Guide, Volume 12 Younger Children Page 7 of 27
Learning to Communicate Matthew 6:5-13 GOD'S WAY Complete the dot to dots. Match each statement with the correct drawing. Check your answers by reading Matthew 6:5-13. Key Bible Verse: Matthew 6:9 Life Application: I can learn to pray. PARTS OF A PRAYER Jesus praised God, asked for the things He needed, and thanked God for the things He supplied. Privately Ask God for what you need Seen by men God will see Babble God will reward HYPOCRITE Standing in synagogues Ask for forgiveness and guidance Use many words Remember to PAT when you pray. A PRAYER FOR TODAY Read the words of Jesus prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. Write your own prayer. On street corners God knows what you pray Pray for God's will GOD'S WAY Praise God God Loves Us Session 1 Worship KidStyle Children's Edition Worship Guide, Volume 12 Younger Children Page 8 of 27
Learning to Communicate Matthew 6:5-13 Key Bible Verse: Matthew 6:9 Life Application: I can learn to pray. GOD'S WAY Complete the dot to dot. Match each statement with the correct drawing. Check your answers by reading Matthew 6:5-13. Standing in synagogues PARTS OF A PRAYER What do you say when you pray? Examine Jesus' prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. He praised God, asked for the things He needed, and thanked God for the things He supplied. Do your prayers sound like Jesus' prayer? Privately Ask God for what you need Seen by men God will see Ask for forgiveness and guidance Babble God will reward Use many words God knows what you pray On street corners HYPOCRITE Remember to PAT when you pray. A PRAYER FOR TODAY Read the words of Jesus prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. Write your own prayer. Pray for God's will Praise God GOD'S WAY God Loves Us Session 1 Worship KidStyle Children's Edition Worship Guide, Volume 12 Older Children Page 9 of 27
Learning to Communicate Matthew 6:5-13 Key Bible Verse: Matthew 6:9 Life Application: I can learn to pray. GOD'S WAY Complete the dot to dot. Match each statement with the correct drawing. Check your answers by reading Matthew 6:5-13. Standing in synagogues PARTS OF A PRAYER What do you say when you pray? Examine Jesus' prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. He praised God, asked for the things He needed, and thanked God for the things He supplied. Do your prayers sound like Jesus' prayer? Privately Ask God for what you need Seen by men God will see Ask for forgiveness and guidance Babble God will reward Use many words God knows what you pray On street corners HYPOCRITE Remember to PAT when you pray. A PRAYER FOR TODAY Read the words of Jesus prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. Write your own prayer. Pray for God's will Praise God GOD'S WAY God Loves Us Session 1 Worship KidStyle Children's Edition Worship Guide, Volume 12 Older Children Page 10 of 27
Learning to Communicate (Matthew 6:5-13) God Loves Us Session 1 Worship KidStyle Children's Edition, Volume 12 Todd Leonardo Page 11 of 27
Worship KidStyle Children's Edition Parent Connection Parents: Check out what your child is learning in Worship KidStyle! The information on this page will help you carry out your role as your child's primary spiritual developer by continuing the discussion we have in class throughout the week. God Loves Us This unit reinforces our need for not only God's love, but also His relationship through prayer. Session 1: Learning to Communicate The Big Idea: I can learn to pray. The Bible Story: Learning to Communicate (Matthew 6:5-13) Key Bible Verse: Matthew 6:9 Connecting Points: Read Matthew 6:5-13. Ask: "Is there a right or wrong way to pray?" Invite all responses from what to say to where to say prayers. Understand that God hears and understands each prayer... from the most beautiful, well-spoken prayer to the jumbled, hard-to-understand prayer. Define prayer as "talking to and listening to God." State: "We can pray anytime, anywhere, and anyhow. God desires to hear our prayers... right or wrong, in a closet or car." Share how your life has changed because of prayer. As a family, commit to making prayer a priority. Pray today that prayer will become the cornerstone of your family that today will mark the beginning for your prayer-filled home. Session 2: Praying for People The Big Idea: I can pray for people. The Bible Story: Praying for People (Acts 12:1-19) Key Bible Verse: James 5:16 Connecting Points: Think back on the details of the Bible story. Was there excitement? Drama? Ask: "Why do you think God rescued Peter and not the other prisoners in the jail? Do you think God thought Peter was 'more special' than others? Or was it because the prayers of God's people are THAT powerful?" Read James 5:16, focusing on the second sentence. Ask: "How urgent are our prayers? What if we only prayed in emergencies? Would God hear us? Sure! But what if God only answered our prayers in the emergencies?" Realize, God wants to talk to us and hear from us all the time." Emphasize how important it is when we say we will pray for someone that we pray. Become the visible example for your children to pray in the big things as well as the small things. Session 3: Trusting God The Big Idea: I can pray knowing God will answer in His way. The Bible Story: Trusting God (1 Kings 18:1-39) Key Bible Verse: Psalm 17:6 Connecting Points: Read Psalm 17:6. Ask: "What are some parts that stick out to you in this verse?" Allow responses, including confidence in prayer. ("You WILL answer me.") Recall the Bible story. Ask: "Was Elijah confident when he prayed, 'Answer me, God!' " Both Elijah and David trusted God not only heard their prayers, but that He was listening very closely. Ask: "When was the last time you prayed knowing that God heard every word you said and every thought that ran through your mind?" Continue: "How much trust did it take for Elijah to know God would provide the fire for the altar? Do we have that much trust and confidence today?" Pray, trusting that God will always hear and listen intently to everything little or big we say. Session 4: Asking God The Big Idea: I can ask God for things. The Bible Story: Asking God (1 Samuel 1:1-20) Key Bible Verse: Matthew 21:22 Connecting Points: Recall the Bible story. State: "Before this point in Hannah's life, do you think Hannah had asked God for what she wanted or did she expect God to give her what she wanted?" Notice that when Hannah prayed God responded. Ask: "Did Hannah tell Eli what she was asking God for? How did Eli know that God would give Hannah what she asked?" Read Matthew 21:22. Prayer changes everything. Realize that Hannah prayed believing God would answer. Ask: "Does this mean God will give us whatever we ask for? No. But it does mean that God will hear and answer our prayers." Pray, asking God to strengthen your family to be content with a no or a not now. Session 5: Relying on God The Big Idea: I can ask God to help me in all situations. The Bible Story: Relying on God (Daniel 5) Key Bible Verse: Proverbs 2:6 Connecting Points: Explore the details of the story. Ask: "Do you think Daniel hoped he was right about the message on the wall? Do you think he doubted his interpretation?" Realize God gives each person gifts and abilities to do amazing things. Although Daniel never doubted the knowledge, he also never stopped praying and asking God to help him. So if you know God is with you, why doubt? Pray that your family begins practicing the art of leaning into God and His Word for help. God Loves Us Parent Connection (God Loves Session 1) Worship KidStyle Children's Edition, Volume 12 Page 12 of 27
Mail Phone Face-toface Morse code Sign language Email Text message Braille Code Smoke signal Concentration (God Loves Us Session 1) Page 13 of 27
Hypocrites Way Jesus Way Words (God Loves Us Session 1) Page 14 of 27
Standing in synagogues On street corners Seen by men Privately Words (God Loves Us Session 1) Page 15 of 27
God will see God will reward Babbling Many words Words (God Loves Us Session 1) Page 16 of 27
God knows Praise God God s will Ask God for what you need Words (God Loves Us Session 1) Page 17 of 27
Forgiveness Guidance Words (God Loves Us Session 1) Page 18 of 27
Jonah Blind man Hannah David Jesus Noah Daniel Peter Mary Paul Jonah Blind man Hannah David Jesus Noah Daniel Peter Mary Paul Jonah Blind man Hannah David Jesus Noah Daniel Peter Mary Paul Jonah Blind man Hannah David Jesus Noah Daniel Peter Mary Paul Jonah Blind man Hannah David Jesus Noah Daniel Peter Mary Paul Jonah Blind man Hannah David Jesus Noah Daniel Peter Mary Paul Jonah Blind man Hannah David Jesus Noah Daniel Peter Mary Paul Jonah Blind man Hannah David Jesus Noah Daniel Peter Mary Paul Who Prayed? (God Loves Us Session 1) 1 Page 19 of 27
1. God, please let me have a child. I will give him to You to serve You the rest of his life. (Hannah) 2. God, that is a lot of water. Thank You for keeping my family, me, and the animals safe. (Noah) 3. God, I am sorry for not obeying You. Please rescue me from this fish. (Jonah) 4. God, I want Your will to be done, not Mine. Forgive the people for what they are going to do to Me. (Jesus) 5. God, thank You for rescuing me from jail. Thank You for forgiving me when I denied knowing Jesus. (Peter) 6. God, thank You for saving me from the lions. (Daniel) 7. God, please help the people I tell about Jesus know what I say is true. Please help the people to whom I speak and write letters know about Jesus. (Paul) 8. God, thank You for allowing me to see. (Blind man) 9. God, thank You for choosing me to be the mother of Your Son. (Mary) 10. God, help me to always obey You as I lead the people of my country. (David) Who Prayed? (God Loves Us Session 1) 2 Page 20 of 27
1. Using the patterns on pages 2-4, cut letters from felt (2 of each letter per child). 2. Glue around the edges of each letter, leaving a small area open for stuffing. 3. Place each of the glued letters together (Ps, As, and Ts together). 4. Stuff each letter with polyester filling and glue closed. Pillow (God Loves Us Session 1) 1 Page 21 of 27
Pillow (God Loves Us Session 1) 2 Page 22 of 27
Pillow (God Loves Us Session 1) 3 Page 23 of 27
Pillow (God Loves Us Session 1) 4 Page 24 of 27
God hears me when I pray. I can trust God to hear and answer my prayers. God knows what is best and will answer my prayers in His own way. Prayer is talking and listening to God. I should use words that I know and understand when I pray. I should not pray to impress other people. Jesus taught the disciples how to pray. I can pray about anything. I can pray anywhere. The Bible says to pray. I can praise God, ask Him for what I need, and thank Him for things. God always answers prayers. Prayer (God Loves Us Session 1) Page 25 of 27
Questions According to the passage we studied today, in what book of the Bible can we learn how Jesus taught the disciples to pray? (Matthew) What are hypocrites? (people who say they love God, but their actions do not match their words) How did the hypocrites pray? (used big words, stood on the street corners, to impress people) What did Jesus say about the way the hypocrites prayed? (They did not please God.) How does Jesus want people to pray? (to communicate with God, use words people understand, do not pray to impress people) True/False Jesus said not to pray in public places. Name something you can pray for. (Answers will vary.) What is prayer? (talking and listening to God) Name a place you can pray. (Answers will vary.) What does PAT stand for? (Praise, Ask, Thank) What does it mean to praise God? (to say good things to and about Him) Name three things you can ask God for. (Answers will vary.) Name five things you can thank God for. (Answers will vary.) True/False When you pray, you should use big words that impress people. What is Jesus' prayer in this passage sometimes called? (The Lord's Prayer) Questions (God Loves Us Session 1) Page 26 of 27
Insert a brad in a safety pin. Place the brad in the center of the spinner. Ensure the safety pin will spin. 1 4 5 3 All even numbers All odd numbers 6 2 Spinner (God Loves Us Session 1) Page 27 of 27