for Leaders January to March 2018 Children and the Bible 4 Session 1 Explore Together: In all you say or do 5 Bible passage: Acts 18:1 3; Colossians 3:12 17 Series 1 Meeting Jesus 10 Session 2 Being accepted 12 Bible passage: Matthew 9:9 13 Session 3 Being included 17 Bible passage: Matthew 15:21 28 Session 4 Given the choice 22 Bible passage: Mark 10:17 31 Session 5 Time to be wise 27 Bible passage: Psalm 119:9 16; Proverbs 10 Session 6 Isaac is born 34 Bible passage: Genesis 18:1 15; 21:1 8 Session 7 Abraham passes the test 39 Bible passage: Genesis 22 Session 8 Isaac s children 44 Bible passage: Genesis 25:19 34; 27:1 45 Series 2 Isaac and our faithful God 32 Series 3 God is with Jacob 49 Session 9 God s promises to Jacob 51 Bible passage: Genesis 28:10 22 Session 10 Jacob gets married 56 Bible passage: Genesis 29 31 Session 11 Jacob goes home 61 Bible passage: Genesis 32,33 Session 12 God blesses Jacob 66 Bible passage: Genesis 35:1 15 Session 13 God at work 71 Bible passage: Genesis 45:1 13 Songs and Web resources for this issue 76 and 77 How to plan your session and Session planning template 78 and 79 Leading Splash! children January to March 80 Next issue preview 81 Light Order form 82
for Leaders Series 1 Meeting Jesus Session 2 Being accepted Aim: To be amazed that Jesus accepts us no matter what we do Bible passage: Matthew 9:9 13 Session 3 Being included Aim: To know that Jesus wants to include us no matter what others think of us Bible passage: Matthew 15:21 28 Session 4 Given the choice Aim: To realise that God loves us and wants us to choose to follow him Bible passage: Mark 10:17 31 Session 5 Time to be wise Aim: To learn that in the Bible God gives us clear instructions for our lives Bible passage: Psalm 119:9 16; Proverbs 10 A - ge Worship All-age service: Splash! recommends using Session 1 as the All-age service to use with series. All-age service starters: free service starter downloads are available at www.scriptureunion.org.uk/light. These are designed for the beginning or end of the service, to allow the whole congregation to share in the themes the children will be covering in their groups.
Introduction None of the Bible passages in this series is easy. The call of Matthew may not trouble us much, but the incident would have disturbed any onlooker. What on earth was Jesus thinking of, including in his band of disciples one of the hated tax collectors, despised as rip-off merchants and collaborators with the occupying Romans? The meeting with the Canaanite woman is even more surprising, for here Jesus seems harsh and exclusive except that by the end he isn t! If we had Jesus tone of voice and facial expression it might look different. It seems that he is not pushing her away but drawing out deeper faith and understanding. God had always intended to bless the whole of humanity and to do it through his chosen people, Israel (Genesis 12:1 3), and that only happens through Jesus, Messiah. Through Jesus meeting with different people, we see how God loves and offers forgiveness to each one of us The rich young ruler is problematic because wealth was seen as a sign of God s blessing and here Jesus says that it is a barrier to faith. That is still challenging today especially when most users of Light are wealthy in world terms. For this man the challenge was too much. As we see in Psalm 119, God expects certain standards of behaviour and doing things his way isn t easy, but is always rewarding. Like the young man, we all have choices to make. How far have we understood, and to what extent do we demonstrate the inclusive Bible Timeline New Testament nature of God s love? How will we help our groups to see that for themselves? Here is where this series fits into the And how will we help them to know that it is faith, denying ourselves and big story of the Bible, shown here on obedience that brings us to God? the new SU Bible Timeline. Practical notes for Splash! leaders: 1 Gather together the following basic kit of items that are regularly used in Splash! sessions: Splash! for Children, a Bible, an illustrated children s Bible, SU Bible Timeline, paper, cardboard or stiff paper, glue sticks, sticky tape, sticky notes, scissors (child-safe plus a pair for adult use), pencils, crayons, colouring pencils or felt-tip pens. 2 A list of songs used in the sessions, and where to obtain them, is given on page 76. 3 Web resources for the sessions are listed on page 77 and available from www.scriptureunion.org.uk/light. 4 The SU Bible Timeline is available from Christian bookshops and Scripture Union mail order and website (see page 82) ISBN 978 1 84427 643 1. 5 More resources to help you to explore and enjoy the Bible with your group are introduced on pages 82 and 83. 6 Find out more about our Bible-based syllabus on pages 80 and 81. Series 1 Meeting Jesus Introduction 11
Session 2 Being accepted Our 5 to 8s are very aware of whether they and others are accepted. This session focus on affirming all the children in your group. Encourage them to know that you accept them, and so does God no matter what they do. Aim To be amazed that Jesus accepts us no matter what we do Bible passage Matthew 9:9 13 To plan your session... Choose a selection of Opening, Into the Bible and Living the life activities to make your session fun and memorable. You may like to use the Session plan, on page 79, to help in your preparation. Options to open your session... Game Activity time: 10 minutes Aim: to explore how when people take things from us we tend not to like them You will need: game board from page 16, a dice or spinner, lots of counters 1 Play the game from page 16 in small groups (also available at Web resources). 2 Talk about how it feels to have counters taken off you. Explain that this is what it was like being a Jew in Jesus time. The Romans were in charge, and they made the Jews give them money. There were even some Jews who collected money for the Romans. These people were called tax collectors. Ask what they think the Jews thought of the tax collectors (they didn t like them and didn t accept them). 3 Challenge the children to watch out for how Jesus treated the tax collector in today s story. Worship Activity time: 10 minutes Aim: to come close to God You will need: Reach Up! CD or song from Web resources 1 Sing Anyone can come to God together a few times to get to know it. 2 Explain that the song is about people coming to God and how he treats us. In the Bible story today, Jesus meets someone and treats them very differently from what they expected. Tell the children to close their eyes and imagine themselves coming to God. Play the song again and, while they still have their eyes closed, say slowly, with long pauses: 3 Imagine you are coming to God Imagine God s door being open What can you see inside? Imagine God s heart full of love for you How does that make you feel? Imagine God saying he is happy that you are there. Ready to use activity Noises Activity time: 5 minutes Aim: to understand why people didn t like tax collectors 1 Ask the children to listen carefully to what you say and decide whether it sounds like a good thing or a bad thing. If it s good they should punch the air and shout Huh!, but if it s bad they should boo. 2 Say the following, pausing after each sentence for them to respond: Jesus lived in a beautiful country called Israel. In Jesus time, people from another country were in charge of Israel the Romans. God had promised the Jews their own country. But the Romans had taken over their country. The Romans even made them pay tax (money) to Caesar, the man in charge of Rome. Some Jews had a plan. They collected the taxes from the Jews for the Romans. However, the other Jews didn t like that and avoided tax collectors whenever they could. Tip for Leaders: If someone asked Jesus a question, he often responded with a question of his own. He was recognising the need for people to think and learn for themselves. 12 Session 2 7 January Being accepted Matthew 9:9 13 Opening activities
Into the Bible options to explore the Bible passage... Ready to use activity Bible rap Activity time: 15 minutes Aim: to be amazed that Jesus accepts us no matter what we do You will need: Splash! 2 1 Prepare If possible, practise the rap before the session. 2 The Tax Collector Rap Invite the children to look at the chorus on side 1 of Splash! 2. Read it through several times together until you have all learnt the rhythm. Help the children who can t read well to invent a rhythmic action dance to accompany the rap. After every two verses, do the chorus. Chorus I m so amazed, astonished, and I m feeling ten foot tall! Cos Jesus came from heaven, bringing love and care to all, No matter who we are and never mind what we have done! I m so amazed, astonished, that I m loved by God s own Son! 1 You ve heard about the teacher man who came from Galilee? He wandered up and down the town to see what he could see. A friend to good and bad alike, he loved them all the same. He met a man called Matthew; tax collecting was his game. 2 Well, hi, my friend! the teacher said. Just sitting down to eat? I m ready for a bite myself. So can you spare some meat? The tax collectors were amazed; this guy was something rare. Most other people passed them by, their noses in the air. 3 Collecting taxes wasn t cool and though it must be done, The tax collectors everywhere weren t liked by everyone. When he had got his breath back, Matthew jumped around for joy. Yeah, come and share our dinner! Help yourself. Go on, enjoy! 4 The teacher sat and chatted, and a crowd soon gathered there. The teacher talked and laughed and smiled with love enough to spare. But soon a shadow fell upon the teacher and his mates. A group of snooty holy men were hanging round the gates. 5 What is the meaning of this scene? A voice quite clearly rang. Why does your teacher eat with this disgusting little gang? Has he no pride? Has he no sense? Does he not even know That tax collectors are the very lowest of the low? 6 The teacher heard the snooty man. He answered loud and clear, My words are for the people with an urgent need to hear. A man who s in the best of health has no need of a cure, But all sick people need some help, of that you can be sure. 7 The snooty men, they huffed and puffed, but didn t understand. The teacher smiled and gently said, Go, read God s own command. He asks you just to worship him, and show all others care. I have not come to call the good but sinners everywhere. 8 The snooty men, the Pharisees, felt only angry hate. But tax collector Matthew? He became the teacher s mate. The teacher man, he fed the poor and healed the sick and lame. That teacher man was God s own Son and Jesus was his name. 3 Bible Timeline Invite the children to find other people on the SU Bible Timeline, either their pictures or names, who were not liked (eg Jacob, Joseph). Ask them to find the picture of Jesus sitting, teaching. Look at the different people in the picture. Encourage them to imagine themselves sat listening to him. Ask them to sit quietly and think what Jesus might say to them. In the space at the bottom of side 1 of Splash! 2, invite them to write or draw what they would like to say to God about his amazing love. You will find another Into the Bible option on the next page... Session 2 7 January Being accepted Matthew 9:9 13 Into the Bible 13
Into the Bible options (continued)... Bible story and role play Activity time: 15 minutes Aim: to be amazed that Jesus accepts us no matter what we do You will need: dressing-up clothes, Splash! 2 (optional) 1 Bible Timeline Invite the children to find a picture of Jesus teaching on the Bible Timeline ( Jesus teaches and heals ). Read together the paragraph at the top of the panel. Tell the children that Jesus chose 12 men to travel with him and help him teach the people about God. One of these was called Matthew. Before he met Jesus, Matthew s job was collecting money from Jews to give to the Romans. He was a tax collector. That meant that many people disliked him for taking a share of their money away. Explain briefly and simply what taxes are. For example, taxes are money paid by the people living in a place to make sure that place is kept clean and nice to live in. Ensure that the children know they have nothing to do with taxis a common misunderstanding! 3 Repeat Read the story again and challenge the children to act it out by themselves. 4 Chat Find out from the children who they might refuse to eat with. They may suggest scruffy, dirty people, tramps or criminals, but you should point out that Matthew wasn t any of those. He just had a job that people didn t admire. What jobs might we look down on today? (For instance, dustmen, traffic wardens, road sweepers, cleaners, rat catchers.) Ask the children what they think Jesus thinks about these people (he accepts and loves them). Ask the children what they would like to say to God in the light of his amazing love for everyone. If you have Splash! 2, encourage them to write or draw their thoughts in the space at the bottom of side 1. 2 Mime Invite the children to dress up, then choose one child to be Matthew and one to be Jesus. Divide the rest into tax collectors, disciples and Pharisees. (If you have just a few children, leave out the disciples.) Explain in simple terms that a Pharisee was a very strict keeper of the laws God gave Moses and all the extra laws the Jews had added to them. Read Matthew 9:9 13, from the Contemporary English Version or Good News Bible, and guide the children through the story actions: Matthew and friends sit round an imaginary table and pretend to eat. Jesus and his disciples arrive, shake hands with Matthew and friends, then sit with them and eat. The Pharisees mime horror and shake their fists at the diners. Jesus stands and speaks to them. The Pharisees turn up their noses and walk away. Learn and remember Come back to the Lord your God. He is kind and full of mercy; he is patient and keeps his promises; he is always ready to forgive and not punish. Joel 2:13 Create actions together for the words in bold, then say the verse. Younger children may find it easier to learn the second half next session. Cards and a PowerPoint for this verse are available at Web resources. It is also in the song Come back on the Bitesize Bible Songs 2 CD. 14 Session 2 7 January Being accepted Matthew 9:9 13 Into the Bible
Living the life options to help live God s way... Puzzle Activity time: 5 10 minutes Aim: to know God accepts us too You will need: Splash! 2 1 Invite the children to draw themselves and a person they find it hard to like in the spaces on side 2 of Splash! 2. 2 Encourage them to follow the lines then draw ticks or crosses for each person to show whether God accepts them or not. 3 As they do this, talk with them about how we can ask God to give us his accepting love for people we find it difficult to like. 4 Pause the puzzle activity for two minutes to give each child a moment to ask God to help them love the person they have drawn. Quiz Activity time: 5 10 minutes Aim: to remember that Jesus accepts everyone You will need: questions and pictures from Web resources 1 Cover each picture with a sticky note before the children arrive. 2 Divide the children into two teams, and have a quiz using the questions from Web resources. Each time a team gives a correct answer, invite them to remove one sticky note. As they remove the note, ask them to tell the group who the picture underneath is of. Encourage the group to say together, Jesus accepts [person in picture] just as Jesus accepts us. 3 Continue with the quiz until all the sticky notes have been removed. The team collecting the most wins! Ready to use activity Draw Activity time: 10 20 minutes Aim: to be reminded that God accepts us no matter what we do You will need: copies of Rules for life from Web resources 1 Give the children copies of Rules for life from Web resources, and read it together. If you do not have the resource, read out Exodus 20:3 17 slowly. 2 Challenge the children to think of something they do that God does not like and something they do that he does like. Ask them to draw the things they have thought of. 3 Go around and chat with them as they complete their drawings. Remind them that God loves them whatever they do. 4 Ask the children what Jesus thought of the tax collector, Matthew, in the story. Explain that eventually, Matthew became one of the writers of the Bible, and we read his story in the book he wrote! Ask the children to draw a picture of God accepting them next to their other picture. Extra ideas for the session, and beyond... Talk about being adopted into God s family then sing Father God I wonder (see Songs on page 76). for Leaders Session 2 7 January Being accepted Matthew 9:9 13 Living the life 15
Photocopiable resource... for Leaders January to March 2018 Session 2 Tax Collector Board Game How to play: Cut out the counters at the bottom. Choose who will be a worker and who will be the tax collector (you can have more than one tax collector). Take it in turns to throw the dice and move the number of squares shown. If you land on a square with counters on it, you can collect those counters from the bank. Everyone aims to get to the finish with as many counters as possible. If you find yourself on the same square as a tax collector, you must give them two counters! The winner is the one with the most counters once at the finish. workers tax collectors counters Copyright Scripture Union 2017 16 Session 2 7 January Being accepted Matthew 9:9 13 Photocopiable resource