SESSION 1: WHO IS JESUS? CORE PASSAGE: Hebrews 1:1-4 FAMILY MEMORY VERSE: Hebrews 1:2 TEXT TRUTH: Jesus is God s Son. CONNECTION PASSAGE: Isaiah 9:6; 11:1-4; Matthew 1:18-24; Luke 1:26-56; 2:1-7» Sort pictures of babies, kids, and grownups» Draw a family picture» Spell the name Jesus using magnetic or wooden letter tiles» Shake baby rattle; talk about babies, relate to most special baby ever born» Use Walkie-Talkies» Create Baby Gift-wrap Collage» Take Care of Baby Dolls» Listen to Sounds» Spell Jesus Name 1. Let s Gather (children stand in circle; pass baby doll around circle) 2. Let s Hear the Bible Story (talk about babies, explore diaper bag contents, show story picture, tell Bible story, pass story picture around circle) 3. Let s Practice Bible Skills (show Hebrews Letter Board, talk about Book of Hebrews, look in Bible for Family Memory Verse, say and repeat verse) 4. Let s Pray (thank God for Bible and Jesus)
SESSION 2: TELL ABOUT JESUS CORE PASSAGE: Hebrews 2:1-4 FAMILY MEMORY VERSE: Hebrews 2:1 TEXT TRUTH: Learn about Jesus, God s Son. CONNECTION PASSAGE: John 3:22-36» Draw on sheets of newspaper or newsprint» Look in children s Bible dictionary or illustrated Bible for pictures of Jesus; tab with sticky notes» Type messages on tablet, computer, or old keyboard» Sit in circle, make pretend phone call (using hand) to announce incredible news» Work Puzzles About Jesus» Make a Poster» Search for Pictures» Drive Cars on Roads» Play with People Figures 1. Let s Gather (play CD, change places in circle) 2. Let s Hear the Bible Story (talk about listening to TV news, important info, John did not do TV newscast; tell Bible story, show story picture) 3. Let s Practice Bible Skills (say Family Memory Verse twice, recall things learned about Jesus) 4. Let s Pray (thank God for Bible to help us know about Jesus, thank God for teachers and others who teach about Jesus)
SESSION 3: JESUS HELPS CORE PASSAGE: Hebrews 2:14-18 FAMILY MEMORY VERSE: Hebrews 2:18 TEXT TRUTH: Jesus knows when we need help. CONNECTION PASSAGE: Luke 4:1-12» Trace the words Jesus helps» Work puzzles featuring Jesus» Twist and shape chenille stems» Flick lights to get kids attention; talk about difficulty of making good choices; Jesus made a choice» Make Sand Art» Follow a Path» Match Word Shapes & Lace Beads» Taste Pita Bread» Walk Outdoors & Play a Game 1. Let s Gather (walk around room, make train, stop in circle; toss small ball, ask child to tell something heard or done at church) 2. Let s Hear the Bible Story (tell Bible story, show story picture, talk about hard choices, Jesus understands) 3. Let s Practice Bible Skills (Hebrews Letter Board; Hebrews tells that Jesus was tested; explain meaning of tested, look in Bible for Family Memory Verse, repeat verse with group) 4. Let s Pray (ask children for requests, thank God for Bible and helping us make right choices)
SESSION 4: GOD S GOODNESS CORE PASSAGE: Hebrews 3:7-15 FAMILY MEMORY VERSE: Hebrews 3:13 TEXT TRUTH: Trust God and love Him. CONNECTION PASSAGE: Numbers 13 14» Examine nature items with magnifying glass» Make collage about God s care» Work with a friend to complete floor puzzle» Shine flashlight on ceiling or wall, ask if children have used flashlight, how and when? Connect to men exploring a new land, encouraged one another and trusted God» Scout Out the Land» Pack for a Trip» Pretend to Camp» Taste Honey and Bread» Decorate Binoculars 1. Let s Gather (give kids pieces of wooden puzzle, play I Spy, children take puzzle pieces to frame) 2. Let s Hear the Bible Story (show story picture, name men in picture, pass story picture, tell Bible story) 3. Let s Practice Bible Skills (read words of Family Memory Verse, say part of verse, kids complete; talk about Hebrews writer wanting people to thank God for His care, explain meaning of word encourage, relate to Joshua and Caleb; repeat Family Memory Verse) 4. Let s Pray (ask for prayer requests, God hears us pray)
SESSION 5: WE CAN TALK TO GOD CORE PASSAGE: Hebrews 4:14 5:6 FAMILY MEMORY VERSE: Hebrews 4:16 TEXT TRUTH: We can talk to God anytime. CONNECTION PASSAGE: Exodus 28» Sit in a tent to read books» Play Bible Dominoes game» Decorate a breastplate» Introduce Aaron and his special job, important work God gave to Aaron» Try on Hats» Design a Prayer Reminder» Learn the Verse» Work Puzzles» Sew Cloth 1. Let s Gather (sing made-up song about talking to God; toss beanbag, name someone who prays, thank God) 2. Let s Hear the Bible Story (talk about special job someone had, tell Bible story, show story picture, Book of Hebrews tells about Aaron, Jesus more important than Aaron, talks to God for us) 3. Let s Practice Bible Skills (Hebrews and Jesus letter boards, work together; say words aloud, Hebrews tells about Jesus, say Family Memory Verse) 4. Let s Pray (invite preschooler to pray, name people for whom to pray, thank God for Jesus who talks to God for us)
SESSION 6: LOVE JESUS CORE PASSAGE: Hebrews 6:1-8 FAMILY MEMORY VERSE: Hebrews 6:10 TEXT TRUTH: Jesus wants us to love Him more than anything. CONNECTION PASSAGE: Matthew 19:16-29» Drive toy helper vehicles on masking tape roads» Work puzzles about Jesus» Play toy musical instruments» Flick overhead lights; explore what it means to love Jesus more than anything; do children already know what that means? work together to put away materials.» Create a Helper Poster» Pretend to Shop» Build with Blocks» Finger Paint on Place Mats» Weave Bible Words Strips 1. Let s Gather (swap places in circle, thank children for listening and following instructions) 2. Let s Hear the Bible Story (tell Bible story, show story picture, read sentence strip statement, write children s answers on sticky notes, tell that Book of Hebrews says God sees things we do for Him) 3. Let s Practice Bible Skills (sing song about Bible, ask questions about what the Bible says, reminder that Bible helps us learn about Jesus) 4. Let s Pray (share prayer requests, say brief prayer)
SESSION 7: TELL WHAT JESUS DID CORE PASSAGE: Hebrews 7:23-28 FAMILY MEMORY VERSE: Hebrews 7:25 TEXT TRUTH: Jesus loved people and died for them. CONNECTION PASSAGE: Acts 3» Sort colored plastic blocks on colored paper» Make a sticker picture» Walk on balance beam or tape line» Kids show sticker pictures, more activities to dig into Bible and learn, get object to use in Exploration Station activity» Move Through an Obstacle Course» Work Mixed-up Puzzles» Make and Wave Streamers» Discover Hidden Words» Play Memory Verse Hide-and-Seek 1. Let s Gather (play CD, pass microphone around circle, say names, who uses microphone today?) 2. Let s Hear the Bible Story (show story picture, tell Bible story, Peter showed love for Jesus, Book of Hebrews says Jesus is only One who can help us) 3. Let s Practice Bible Skills (sequence words of Family Memory Verse, preschoolers stand in line; repeat verse; exchange cards and repeat verse) 4. Let s Pray (pray for kids, teachers, your church; thank God for people who love Jesus)
SESSION 8: DO AS GOD SAYS CORE PASSAGE: Hebrews 8:1-13 FAMILY MEMORY VERSE: Hebrews 8:12 TEXT TRUTH: Jesus taught people to follow God. CONNECTION PASSAGE: Exodus 19:3-6; 20:1-17» Work Life of Moses puzzles» Create with play dough» Read books in a tent» Talk about rules, God knew people needed rules, Jesus taught people to obey God» Match Sounds» Create a Banner» Play Stop and Go» Pretend to Camp» Make Sand Pictures 1. Let s Gather (sing about loving God, doing what He says; mention that Jesus taught people to follow God) 2. Let s Hear the Bible Story (tell why rules are important, show story picture, tell Bible story, recall some of the Commandments, distribute Choices Cards and decide good choices to make) 3. Let s Practice Bible Skills (Hebrews says God loves us, explain meaning of forgive, Family Memory Verse is about forgiveness, say verse with kids) 4. Let s Pray (thank God for Jesus helping us know how to live for God)
SESSION 9: JESUS CAME CORE PASSAGE: Hebrew 9:11-15 FAMILY MEMORY VERSE: Hebrews 9:15 TEXT TRUTH: Jesus came to love and help people. CONNECTION PASSAGE: Luke 4:14-24; Isaiah 61:1-2» Make Bible scrolls» Work puzzles about Jesus» Build with wooden blocks and letter blocks» Give clues linking materials (used in Arrival Activities) to what Bible says about Jesus; God sent Jesus to help people understand what they should do» Read the Bible with Friends» Make Letter Prints» Go on a Listening Walk» Sing and Play a Game» Play Out the Bible Story 1. Let s Gather (say looking rhyme, recall activities from Exploration Stations) 2. Let s Hear the Bible Story (tell Bible story, show story picture, give puzzle pieces to individuals, toss beanbag, ask questions related to Bible story) 3. Let s Practice Bible Skills (thank children for listening and remembering, give Bibles to kids, look for Luke 4, look for Hebrews 9, say Family Memory Verse) 4. Let s Pray (thank God for the Bible and for Jesus, call on volunteers to pray)
SESSION 10: COUNT ON GOD CORE PASSAGE: Hebrews 11:1-7 FAMILY MEMORY VERSE: Hebrews 11:6 TEXT TRUTH: God wants us to know and trust Him. CONNECTION PASSAGE: Genesis 6 8» Draw with colored pencils or markers on drafting paper» Build with interlocking plastic blocks» Locate key words in Bible (mark with colored flags)» Show and talk about construction-related items, connect to Noah building ark, why Noah s story is in Bible, pretend to be carpenters and learn about building» Make a Sandpaper Rubbing» Design and Build Boats» Make Play Dough» Build Animal Homes» Experiment with Building Materials 1. Let s Gather (play instructions game) 2. Let s Hear the Bible Story (mention reference to Noah in Hebrews 11, people in list had faith in God and loved Him, turn back in Bible to Genesis 6, tell Bible story, pass bag with items, tell about items, show story picture) 3. Let s Practice Bible Skills (talk about trusting God, Noah trusted God; explain meaning of words faith and trust, we can count on God; say Family Memory Verse together) 4. Let s Pray (thank God for taking care of Noah and us, thank God for His love and the Bible)
SESSION 11: LOVE GOD ANYWAY CORE PASSAGE: Hebrews 12:1-7 FAMILY MEMORY VERSE: Hebrews 12:6 TEXT TRUTH: Loving God is not always easy. CONNECTION PASSAGE: Acts 16:16-40» Draw nighttime pictures» Make a paper chain» Play with people figures and toy cars» Rattle bucket holding keys, locks, handcuffs; how items relate to a story in the Bible; who was in trouble?» Build a Bible-times House» Use Flashlights» Match Locks and Keys» Make Mosaic Stars» Play Musical Instruments 1. Let s Gather (play toy instruments, songs about God and Jesus, relate to men who got in trouble) 2. Let s Hear the Bible Story (tell Bible story, show toy handcuffs, relate to Paul and Silas chains; the men continued to sing, show story picture, talk about times when loving God is not easy, recall other Bible stories) 3. Let s Practice Bible Skills (talk about meaing of discipline, God teaches us, say Family Memory Verse together, Book of Hebrews tells how Jesus went through hurtful things because He loves us) 4. Let s Pray (ask volunteers to pray, thank God for His Son and for teaching us)
SESSION 12: SHOW GOD S LOVE CORE PASSAGE: Hebrews 12:18-24 FAMILY MEMORY VERSE: Hebrews 12:28 TEXT TRUTH: People love God and learn about Him. CONNECTION PASSAGE: Acts 2:14,22-24,41-47» Make a crayon rubbing of a wooden puzzle» Read books in a cozy corner» Play Bible Dominoes game» Stand in circle, toss ball or beanbag, tell something you like to do at church, today we are exploring ways people at church can show love to God» Cook a Meal with Friends» Make a People Poster» Clean the Room» Feel and Guess Objects» Walk Around the Church 1. Let s Gather (walk in circle and sing, people go to church because they love God, relate to Bible story) 2. Let s Hear the Bible Story (tell Bible story, show story picture, pass picture, mention you have friends with whom you learn about Jesus, review recent Bible stories, use Patterns Cube and Story Question Cards) 3. Let s Practice Bible Skills (distribute Bibles to preschoolers, show Hebrews Letter Board, talk about things you ve learned, help kids locate Book of Hebrews in Bibles and mark pages) 4. Let s Explore More (form small groups, help kids in group do the Activity Page)
SESSION 13: HELP OTHERS CORE PASSAGE: Hebrews 13:1-8 FAMILY MEMORY VERSE: Hebrews 13:8 TEXT TRUTH: Help others and show Jesus love. CONNECTION PASSAGE: Acts 4:32-37; 6:1-7» Trace hands and decorate a picture» Work with play dough» Work puzzles» Use Action Cards to play game, relate to working and helping church friends, tell about recent ministry project, explore activities for ideas of ways to help people» Deliver Food» Fold Clothes» Make a Food Collage» Identify Helping Items» Pack a Basket 1. Let s Gather (sing about helping others, Bible has stories about people who helped) 2. Let s Hear the Bible Story (hold story picture and talk about people in first churches working together; tell Bible story, talk about special ministries, name other ways churches help) 3. Let s Practice Bible Skills (pass Bible around circle, play CD, tell way to help others, say Family Memory Verse, complete puzzle as a group, comment that Jesus never changes) 4. Let s Pray (pray for family who might be having difficult time, ask God to show us ways to help other people, thank God for Jesus and that we can count on Him)