God with Us Theme: Redwood Forest Table of Contents EDITORIAL STAFF Editor in Chief: Robin Johnston Associate Editor, Curriculum: Lee Ann Alexander Children s Editor: Chris Anderson Beginner Editor: Joni Owens WRITERS Angie Clark, Krisann Durnford, Gabrielle Reese, Joni Owens, Barbara Westberg THEME DEVELOPMENT Kara McCoy, Joni Owens DESIGNERS Dennis Fiorini, Elizabeth Loyd ARTISTS Anthony Mitchell, Ron Wheeler Join us on our Facebook group. Interact with editors and Sunday school teachers. Post pictures of your class. Brag on what God is doing in your class. You teach with us; now interact with us. Check out our group, Word Aflame Beginner Curriculum Teachers. Unit 1: Prediction Editorial: FACT: Jesus Is God with Us.... 2 Theme: Redwood Forest... 3 Kids in Missions....8 A Preview of Summer 2018.... 53 Unit Aim: Students will investigate God s promises and the fulfillment of them Week of regarding Jesus birth. 03.04.2018 1 Jesus in Prophecy... 9 03.11.2018 2 Jesus, God with Us... 14 03.18.2018 3 Jesus Fulfills Prophecy... 20 Unit 2: Revelation Week of Unit Aim: Students will compare how Jesus revealed His deity to different ones. 03.25.2018 4 Jesus Withstands Satan.... 26 04.01.2018 5 Jesus Lives!.... 32 04.08.2018 6 Jesus Revealed to John the Baptist... 37 04.15.2018 7 Jesus Revealed to the Disciples... 43 04.22.2018 8 Jesus Revealed to All.... 48 Unit 3: Confirmation Week of Unit Aim: Students will give examples of how Jesus proved He was God. 04.29.2018 9 Jesus Knows Everything... 54 05.06.2018 10 Jesus Gives Freedom.... 60 05.13.2018 11 Jesus Raises the Dead... 65 05.20.2018 12 Jesus Restores Sight... 71 Review 05.27.2018 13 God with Us.... 77 Beginner Teacher s Manual Manufactured in U.S.A., March 2018, 1231811 www.pentecostalpublishing.com All rights reserved 2018 Pentecostal Publishing House, 36 Research Park Court, Weldon Spring, MO 63304 Materials in this curriculum may only be copied for use in the local classroom. Do not reproduce, distribute, or transmit any other part of the Word Aflame curriculum in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without possessing prior documented approval from Pentecostal Publishing House, a department of the United Pentecostal Church International. To request permission, contact customerservice@pentecostalpublishing.com. All Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version unless otherwise noted. Scriptures quoted from the International Children s Bible, copyright 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission. Websites indicated in source citations are not intended to imply an endorsement by Pentecostal Publishing House (PPH), nor does PPH vouch for the content of these sites. Given the transient nature of online publications, it is possible a web address may no longer be active or may have been altered since the print date of this publication.
Editorial by Joni Owens FACT: Jesus Is God with Us After a quick search on the Internet for spiritual characteristics of first- and second-graders, I learned some interesting facts. (I call them facts because years of experience have taught me they are true.) They like learning from the Bible. (This is good, since that s what we do at church.) They are interested in God s wonders in nature. (This is also good, since our décor this quarter is based on the awesome and majestic Redwood National Forest.) They are making conclusions about God and regard Jesus as a friend. (This is excellent, since we are teaching them about the deity of Christ this quarter.) They cannot think abstractly. (This can be challenging, since understanding the deity of Christ includes conceptual thinking also known as faith.) They have difficulty sitting for long periods of time. (How many of you can attest to that?) We were not there when Jesus walked the earth. There are no photos showing the empty tomb or the widow s son hugging his mother at his own funeral procession. Instead, we rely on the testimonies of those who were there as recorded in the Gospels. Mary and Joseph, the wise men, the disciples, the crowds, the demoniac, the blind man all listened to and spoke with Jesus, observing and experiencing on a first-hand basis that Jesus was God, for that was the only possible explanation to all the miracles and life-changing occurrences they encountered. Your beginners rely on you to present the facts. As you guide them through the Bible, help them hypothesize, investigate, cite evidence, and draw the final conclusion: Jesus is God with us. Speak with awe and wonder as you tell of His miracles, the personal testimonies of those who knew Him on a one-on-one basis, and share His own words. Above all, let them see the risen Christ in you as you tell the facts of His majesty and power from His Word as well as from your life. Facts are important. Facts are pieces of information that have been presented, or proven, as true and accurate. Facts tell us what we need to know so we can do what needs to be done. Facts provide information that affects our thought processes and responses. This quarter s lessons are presented as facts from people who lived and experienced encounters with Jesus. A simple fact flows through these lessons: Jesus is God. Heads Up! Check all your lesson title pages now to see what supplies need to be gathered. Plan ahead to know what activities require multiple copies, cutouts, or unusual supplies. Recruit teenagers or seniors to help with drawing, copying, or cutting. Before the quarter begins, tear apart the activity papers and sort the papers by lesson for easier distribution each week. Order one set per student with a few extras for visitors and for growth. CUSTOMIZE THE CURRICULUM Downloadable resources for both the teacher s manual and the teacher s resource packet (trp) are available through access codes. The Beginner Teacher s Manual is available as PDF and DOC documents that can be customized to fit your teaching style, classroom setting, and schedule. Cut and paste, edit material out of or into the lesson, and make it your own using the following instructions. Downloadable Resources To access the PDF and DOCs of the teacher s manual online: 1. Visit https://pentecostalpublishing.com/downloads and follow the instructions to access downloadable resources. 2. Use the download code: 3. The coupon code will be valid for one year from the date of the first lesson. Teacher s Resource Packet Downloadable Resources To access the reproducible items from the resource packet (trp), see the resource packet instruction sheet. If you have not purchased a packet, you can do so by going to www.pentecostalpublishing. com or calling 866-819-7667. NOTE: Not all lessons offer downloadable resources. 2
Theme Development Redwood Forest The Redwood Forest is one of God s most breathtaking and inspiring creations. Standing straight and tall, these trees provide a majestic canopy that is home to eagles as well as bees, towering over lush green ferns that line pathways for motorists and hikers to enjoy. As your students discover and delight in the awesome creations, they will discover the wonder and majesty of Christ and His deity as shown in the Gospels. Just as He gave intricate details to the forest and its creatures, He gave us the details we need to understand who He is. Through the predictions or prophecies of the prophets, Gabriel, and John the Baptist, we see the foundation of His deity. Revelation came to His disciples and followers, and confirmation was made through His teachings, conversations, and miracles. Explaining Our Acronyms and Symbols (trp) = Teacher s Resource Packet = Downloadable resource using code on TRP instruction sheet (ap) = Activity Paper BP = Bible Point MV = Memory Verse KiM = Kids in Missions SMP = Special Memory Passage Avoid a Panic Attack If you occasionally loan out your teacher s manual or accidentally leave it at church, don t panic! Before the quarter begins, follow the process on page 2 to download the entire manual to your electronic device. You can check supplies, study, and focus your prayers with a few simple clicks on your device. NOTE: Some smartphones will not open zip files but will open PDFs. Save the zip files to your computer and then send the PDFs to your phone. While deity and theology can be deep and detailed, help your students understand what Peter understood: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. The woman at the well knew Him as Messiah, because He knew everything about her. The demoniac knew Him as a deliverer, and the blind man knew Him as a healer. Three simple words will convey this quarter s focus: Jesus is God. Just as a simple tree can be majestic and powerful, so too is that simple statement: Jesus is God! Be sure to visit Pinterest and search forest classroom decor and camping classroom decor for ideas. Brainstorm with teachers in other levels to see what ideas they are using for this theme, and then make your room unique. Additional ideas are provided on the theme art. Lesson 1 Jesus in Prophecy Scripture Text: Genesis 3; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5 6; Micah 5:2 Toddler Home Connection Ages 2 3 Today I heard that God promised to send a savior. Don t Miss These Features! Home Connection On the bottom of each activity paper is a URL address for parents to take advantage of our Home Connection. This take-home piece covers the aligned lesson that was studied across Toddler through Preteen levels; show this to parents when they pick up their children and encourage them to review it with their children. Or each week make copies of the Home Connection (trp) for each student to take home. Please note that all children s levels are included on one sheet, making it easy for parents of children across multiple age or grade levels to discuss the day s lessons. Send the entire half sheet home. Theme Song Download the kids POWer hour song (audio and video files), Jesus Is God from the Grounded in the Truth series. Oneness of God Bible Study Follow the download instructions on the TRP instruction sheet to view a detailed study on the oneness of God as presented by Dr. David K. Bernard. This excerpt came from the Apostolic Study Bible, which is available through the Pentecostal Publishing House. Call customer service at 866-819-7667, or go to www.pentecostalpublishing.com/asb to order. Q: Where did Adam and Eve live? A: In a garden Q: What did they do that was wrong? A: They ate fruit from the special tree. Q: What did God promise? A: To send a baby boy to help us love God Talk Time Note to Parents: Visit a beautiful garden. Talk about how Adam and Eve had to leave the garden because they disobeyed God. God promised to send a savior to help them learn to love and obey God. Suggested Reading: Adam and Eve and the Garden by Jane Ray The Promise by Larry Dane Brimner A Promise Is a Promise by Florence Parry Heide Bible Passage: God... gave his... son (John 3:16). Bible Words: God came to us. Kindergarten & Beginner Home Connection Pre-K Grade 2 Read Isaiah 7:14, 9:6, 11:1, Jeremiah 23:5 6, and Micah 5:2 to discuss prophecies, or promises, God made regarding sending the Savior. Q: Why do we need a savior? A: To save us from our sins Q: What does Immanuel mean? A: God with us Truth about God God promised to send a Savior. Bible Lesson Verse For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). God promised God wants to to send save a me. savior. Together Time Find a challenging puzzle to assemble with your family, but secretly withhold one piece. Discuss how all the pieces must fit together to make the picture complete. The prophecies were like puzzle pieces, waiting for the final piece to be put into place. Next week we will discover the final piece. Word Time Unit 1 Bible Verse: Isaiah 9:6 Special Memory Passage: John 1:1 5, 14 Primary & Preteen Home Connection Grades 3 6 Family Activity Sign a Promise Pledge to one another. Promises may include doing extra chores for the week, complementing each other daily, giving extra displays of affection, praying together nightly, reading the Bible aloud, and so forth. Discuss the security in knowing family members are dependable. Identify Jesus promises, especially the promise of His birth, His Spirit, and His second coming. Discuss the security His promises provide. 2018 Pentecostal Publishing House, All rights reserved. Spring 2018 3 CUT HERE
Teaching Wall This is the wall with the writing board. Mount the memory posters (change with each unit) and the Kids in Missions poster at the sides of the writing board. Mount the attendance and memory charts (ap) at child height so they can be accessed. Consider covering the top portion of the wall with blue and the bottom with green to correlate with the rest of the walls. Giant Redwood Create a mountain effect on the bottom two-thirds of the wall with light brown paper. Add blue paper sky above the mountain. Crumple brown Kraft paper to create a 3-D textured tree trunk to resemble a giant redwood. Make it wide enough to fill about two-thirds of the width of the wall. Of course, your wall is not high enough to show the top of the tree where foliage grows, but it will demonstrate how large the trees are. Ask several students to lay on top of butcher paper with arms outstretched at their sides, and then trace around each one. Cut these out and paint with acrylic paints, or make them silhouettes. Secure these figures to the base of the trunk as though they are hugging it. Use the theme art (trp) to create ferns, flowers, and pinecones to place at the base of the wall. Add pale yellow tissue paper rays of sun from one upper corner to shine down through the trees. Add a squirrel scampering up the side of the tree and a woodpecker on the tree. Add additional smaller tree trunks at the sides as though in the background to help give the illusion of a forest. The Forest Cover the wall with light brown paper. Create several full-size trees from crumpled brown paper, from the base of the wall to the ceiling. Use the theme art (trp) to add foliage (the top third of the trees), helping to create the illusion of height and majesty. Add an eagle s nest at the top of one or two trees as well as a soaring eagle. At the base of the trees, add green ferns and flowers. To maintain perspective, this ground foliage must be small, as the trees tower as high as three hundred feet above the floor of the forest. The floor of the forest could be a different shade of green so the ferns and flowers pop out. Create a black path through the trees at ground level, and take it up to one large trunk base. This particular trunk should have a large inverted U-shape cut from it, similar to the famous Chandelier Tree that allows cars to drive through it. Add a car on the road going through the opening. Again, maintain perspective so students get an idea of the awe and majesty these trees project. Add narrow sun rays with pale yellow tissue paper shining down through the trees. Discovery Wall This wall will be a collection of artwork that reflects not only the grandeur of the Redwood Forest, but also the awe and majesty of Jesus Christ. Cover the wall with a bright color, such as teal or lime green. Print the photos from the theme art, mount them onto black posterboard, and the secure them to the wall. Print the Bible art pictures as well, mount them onto gold posterboard, and secure them to the wall. Each week or whenever time allows, let students draw pictures of what they learned that day, mount their artwork to red posterboard and secure to the wall. These pieces should be placed hodge-podge across the wall, in no particular order, but where students can see and behold God s majesty. His attention to detail is seen in the wonders of the forest as well as in the wonders of His life on earth. Only God could do all that! 4
Bulletin Boards Any of the wall ideas can be used on a smaller scale for those who must decorate boards and not walls. If you have a space outside your classroom to decorate, use the giant redwood idea and create a large tree trunk. Create a gingerbread cutout (see theme art ) for each student. Print headshots of each student and place on the cutouts, or simply name each cutout. Place the cutouts around the tree as though hugging it. Label the space: Awesome Jesus, Awesome Kids! Door Poster Mount the door poster (trp) welcoming students to the Beginner class. New Birth Poster Mount the New Birth poster (trp) where children can visit it regularly, such as on the inside of your classroom door (assuming you close your door) or on a closet door. Bible Points Every week children learn a short take-home phrase summarizing the lesson objectives. Say the Bible point frequently to help children lock this important life application into their hearts and minds. Hold up a large pinecone each time you want students to say the Bible point. Truth about God While the Bible is filled with narratives that we teach our children, it is God s story. It is all about Him, not the characters. Each lesson focuses on a truth about God, an attribute or principle that helps define God. While children do not memorize this statement, the lesson segments will support it. Home Connection On the bottom of each activity paper is a URL address for parents to take advantage of our Home Connection. Review questions, activities, and memory work are provided for athome discussion. Be sure to show this to parents when they pick up their children. This piece is also available in the resource packet for teachers to copy and send home with students. Offering Obtain a large tree branch (approximately 6 inches across by 6 inches long). Ask a woodworker to carve out the inside to make an offering container. Students place their offering in the container each week as soon as they arrive so they don t lose or play with it. Volunteers Write each student s name on a brown paper pinecone (see theme art ) and place in a bucket. Whenever a volunteer is needed, pull from this bucket. Return when all the names have been used or at the end of class, whichever comes first. Bible Verses A unit Bible verse is studied each unit. The multi-week study will explain the verse as well as encourage memorization. Each unit, mount the unit memory poster (trp) on the teaching wall. Each week, gather students at the poster to study the verse. An additional Bible lesson verse that connects to the Bible lesson is mentioned and is included in the activity paper. 5
Add a sticker for each week you attend class. Name: Word Aflame Kindergarten Beginner Attendance Chart 2018 PPH Attendance and Memory Charts Tear out the charts from the activity paper sets. On the first Sunday, give each child a chart and let children write their names on the line. Each week a child attends, the child adds a pinecone sticker to the page. Each week after students study the memory work, they add a star to the sky. Activate your faith and buy extra copies to allow for growth in your classroom. Although copyright laws prohibit the copying of this material, one allowance is to make copies for visitors using the master of each chart. Kids in Missions The focus this quarter is Central America/Caribbean. Ideas and information are included on page 8. Mount the map of this region (trp) on the teaching wall as a reminder to pray for our missionaries. Bible Art Pictures Each week the Life Application supply list includes a Bible art picture (trp). Use this at your discretion if you feel your students could relate to a visual of biblical times. For added stability, mount the week s picture in a frame and display for the day. For those who like to display the pictures throughout the quarter, the Bible art pictures are available as a downloadable resource for you to print. Follow the instructions on the teacher s resource packet face sheet. 6
Teacher Training Helps Our website offers several teacher training articles as well as other items to enhance your teaching experience, such as a child information form, childhood characteristics, how to build a tree, and how to make sock puppets. A standard supply list details items that should be regularly available. pentecostalpublishing.com/t-teacherstraining1.aspx A teacher training article is included in the resource packet. This piece is 3-hole punched for placement in your personal or classroom resource notebook. Music Worship is an important part of each lesson. Several children s CDs are available at www. pentecostalpublishing.com, including Word Aflame s Kids in Praise volumes 1 and 2. Many children s worship CDs include today s choruses that are popular in church and are usually sung by children. Let students help lead worship time by using inflatable mics and musical instruments. Facebook Join us on Facebook and share exciting news, ask questions, offer suggestions, and most importantly, post those room décor pics! Your pictures inspire others as well as offer options for turning rooms into WOW! rooms. Search for Word Aflame Beginner Curriculum Teachers. Note: Before posting pictures of children, be sure to get parental permission. The teacher training link from our website offers a model release form. 7
Missionary Facts 19 missionary families or units residing or working in 41 countries/ ministries 41 nations 7,200+ churches and preaching points 494,800+ constituents 200 million+ souls Upon completion of your fundraising, write a church check for the amount and send it to Global Missions, 36 Research Park Court, Weldon Spring, MO 63304. Be sure to include the project account number below so the funds are disbursed to the correct account. Let the children make and sign a card to send with the check. It will go to the regional director, who will be sure to share it at the conferences. PK Retreat account number: GMGP.3000.2602 Guatemala HOME: GMPD. 319689.0125 Resources Check out these sites for additional facts and figures. www.nationalgeographic.com https://www.cia.gov/library/ publications/the-world-factbook/ index.html www.geographia.com www.factmonster.com/world.html Visit www.kidsprayer.com for prayer tools and resources to help your students become missions minded. Contact Global Missions for ideas for a missions conference, media presentations, or to see if any missionaries from the CA/C/M region are in your state this quarter; perhaps they could speak to your children. Contact Tom Harding at 636.229.7927. Visit their website: www.globalmissions.com. MK Fun Visit this link and download the missionary kid profile pages specific to the CA/C/M region. www.upwithmks.com We are excited to present these missionary kid profile sheets. This tool gives you hands-on information regarding their nation, how to pray specifically for each MK, their picture and even a great activity corner for children. Thank you for praying for our MKs and learning more about their nations. If you would like to become a prayer pal with our MKs, please contact Melinda Poitras at wacksghana@aol.com. K DS in M ss ons Central America/Caribbean David and Yonda Schwarz, Regional Director Key Project The Central America/Caribbean region is made up of three sub-regions. Each sub-region celebrates one major conference each year to minister to the pastors and their wives with preaching, fellowship, and training. A special camp for pastors children is provided at each conference as well. The children enjoy fun and friendships as well as teaching and training. These conferences need assistance with expenses. Consider taking a special offering to help this region with their conference expenses so that more families can attend. Host a party with a Latin flavor, complete with piñatas, music, and traditional food (all donations). Sell tickets to attend. Charge for each piñata hit. Set a large collection jar on a table in the center and ask the people to fill it. Print cards with dollar amounts, ask attendees to draw a card, and then they pay the amount on the card (set a deadline for payment so they do not have to pay the day of the party). Send a note from your team telling what you did with a church check to Global Missions. Note this account number: GMGP.3000.2602 Pray Pray for protection for the missionaries, the national workers, and the church. The area is troubled with political unrest, rebel armies, and the threat of hurricanes and damaging weather. Pray for financial aid for printing tracts, building churches, buying Bibles, building Bible schools, and support for our missionaries. Pray for doors to open to the gospel. Superstition, witchcraft, and voodoo present challenges, but God will overcome! Pray for good health and strength for the missionaries who travel into rain forests and deep into the jungles, often meeting in unsanitary buildings that carry the threat of disease. Missionaries carry a heavy workload to meet the needs of widespread churches. Pray for language interpreters for the missionaries. Also pray for the missionaries as they learn the language. Pray for revival to flourish in Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean islands. Special Focus The United Pentecostal Church has built an orphanage in Guatemala! There are over 370,000 orphans in Guatemala alone. In 2011, H.O.M.E. International became registered with the Guatemalan government. It has officially opened its doors to ten new members. Missionary Lynne Jewett is the president of the orphanage, with help from missionary Brad Thompson, AIMer Amber Corey as Director, and many nationals. To see pictures and read reports, visit the following websites: www.supporthomeinternational.com www.facebook.com/homeinternational You can imagine that feeding, housing, dental care, medical care, and other expenses are great for these wonderful children. You can help with monthly support by sending donations to the Global Missions office to: Guatemala HOME, GMPD. 319689.0125.
Jesus in Prophecy 1 03.04.2018 Welcome to the Word Welcome Attendance charts (ap), attendance stickers (trp), offering container, BP signal (pinecone) Activity Masking tape Worship Jesus Is God, Every Promise in the Book Is Mine, Here I Am to Worship Prayer Cut red, blue, and yellow construction paper into fourths (¼ sheet per student) and place in a bag. Open the Word Memory Work Purchase star stickers. These will be used throughout the quarter Write the memory verse on a slip of paper. Tie a string to a blue inflated helium balloon and tie the memory verse to the other end. Place in a box and wrap the box with baby shower paper. Bibles, unit 1 MV poster (trp), memory charts (ap), purchased star stickers Reveal the Word Bible Lesson Prepare the picture scroll (trp) by cutting it down the dashed line, taping the top right and bottom left ends together to form one log strip. Tape a dowel rod to each end. Roll into a scroll. Put sticky notes in three Bibles at Isaiah 9:6, Jeremiah 23:5 6, and Micah 5:2. Activity papers, colored pencils or crayons, timer Do the Word Life Application Bible art: The Prophet (trp), activity papers, colored pencils or crayons, picture scroll (trp) from lesson Activity Paper Activity papers, crayons Optional Activities and Ideas Option 1 Option 2 3 opaque plastic cups, tray, small ball of Play-Doh, miniature bubbles, glue stick, timer Option 3 Kids in Missions map (trp), globe, juvenile library books on Central America and the Caribbean Unit 1 Prediction Unit Bible Verse Isaiah 9:6 Scripture Texts Genesis 3 Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; 11:1 Jeremiah 23:5 6 Micah 5:2 Truth about God God promised to send a Savior. Bible Point God promised to send a Savior. Bible Lesson Verse Isaiah 9:6 Students will:»» Investigate God s promises and the fulfillment of them regarding Jesus birth.»» Explore Old Testament prophecies regarding the coming Savior. 9