Kids Church Ages 4-5-K Why Am I Here? Series

Ages 4-5-K Kids Church Ages 4-5-K Why Am I Here? Series Lesson 1: Lesson 2: Lesson 3: Lesson 4: Lesson 5: Lesson 6: Introduction: God Made Us for His Purposes Worship: We Are Here to Love God Fellowship: We Are Here to Be Part of God s Family Discipleship: We Are Here to Become Like Jesus Ministry: We Are Here to Help Others Evangelism: We Are Here to Tell Others About Jesus 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 1 1

Kids Church Lessons Copyright 2003 Kids Kount Publishing 16115 I Street, Omaha, NE 68137 www.kidskountpublishing.com All rights reserved. Kids Church Written by Dr. Roger Theimer and Heather Kulus Contributors: Shery Fiene Kelly Haack Dede Kneip Lita Osier Coloring Page Illustrations: Kelly Green Contributing Artist: Michelle Mumm Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture verses are from God s Word and are used by permission. Copyright 1995 by God s Word to the Nations. All Rights reserved. 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 1 2

Bible Event: Ephesians 2:10 Date: Series: Why Am I Here? (Special Series) Lesson 1 God Made Us for His Purposes Take Home Point: *WHY AM I HERE? God made us for his purposes. *Repeat this phrase throughout the lesson. The leader will say the first part of the phrase (CAPS). The children respond with the second part of the phrase (italics). Jesus Link: God sent Jesus so that we could be special friends with him. What kids will learn about God in this worship experience: Kids will learn to ask the question, Why did God make me? What s my purpose? God made each person for his purposes. We find our purposes as we listen to his directions for our life. A brief picture of five purposes will be introduced. We were made to love God, to be a part of his family, to become like Jesus, to serve others, and to tell others about Jesus. Kids will take home the point: *WHY AM I HERE? God made us for his purposes. Children will respond to God s love as they pray to him, thanking him for loving them and giving them Jesus. They will offer him their songs of worship, their offerings, and their actions of love as they actively learn God s Word. 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 1 3

Welcome Zone: (15 20 minutes) Purpose: While kids arrive give them a simple learning readiness activity that requires minimal supervision. This might include a video, games, blocks, or puzzles. Video Suggestion: Beginners Bible: The Story of the Good Samaritan, Sony Music Entertainment, Inc. and Time-Life Video and Television** Activity Suggestion: Blocks, toys, puzzles, paper, and crayons. Opening Worship: (10-15 minutes) Children can bring forward the cross, candles, Bible, offering plate, and treasure box. The treasure box contains the props used to tell or dramatize the Bible event. Open with a simple prayer having the children repeat after you. Collect offering and talk about how God will use it. Praise Songs: Choose two or three songs and list them here. Bible Event: A Treasure Hunt Call a child up front for an interview. Ask the child, Who made you? Most will correctly answer: God. Then ask, Why did he make you? You might get the answer, Because he loves me, which is the correct answer. Explain that you are wondering, for what purpose did God make you? Say: For example, the purpose of a car is to move people, the purpose of a refrigerator is to keep food cold, the purpose of this roof over our heads is to keep out the rain. Now, what is the purpose for which God made you? Let s play a game to find out. Five boxes with lids, each wrapped in a different color paper, need to be hidden in the room, prior to kids arriving. Each box will contain a prop. The first box contains a heartshaped pillow or a heart cut-out of paper; the second box contains several dolls representing a family; the third box contains a lump of clay; the fourth box contains a band-aid; and the fifth box contains a Christian video (For example: Treasures From Heaven: The Animated Stories from the New Testament, Nest Masters Inc., 1991.). Children will need to be assigned to five groups, with colors that correspond to the boxes. Cut construction paper tickets in the five corresponding colors and have 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 1 4

children draw from a basket to see which group they are in. Have the children sit in their assigned color group on the floor. Whichever group s color corresponds to the first box, will start the game. Explain to that group that they are going to play Hot and Cold to try to find their box. Have the members of that group ONLY search for their box, while the large group presenter directs them by saying, Hot and Cold. The presenter can say something like, Meagan is cold, getting colder, now warmer. Justin is warm Make sure that the other groups watch and wait their turn. Explain to the kids that they are looking for THEIR color box only. If they happen to see another group s box, they shouldn t say anything. Each group, in turn, returns their box to the table up front. Just as you listened to my directions, or clues, and found your box, we can listen to God in his word. He tells us what our purposes are. Let s look at some of the examples the groups have brought back. Each box represents one of God s purposes for us. The heart tells us that we are here to love God. The family of dolls tells us that we are here to be part of God s family. (The large group presenter should mold the lump of clay into a person.) The clay shows that we are here to become like Jesus. The band-aid tells us that we are here to help others. The video is a way that we can tell others about Jesus. Each of the props represents a reason we are here, and each one will be discussed further in the next several weeks. Remember: *WHY AM I HERE? God made us for his purposes. Action Zones: (20-30 minutes) Purpose: Children move at their leisure to the activities according to their interest. Adults are assigned to oversee each of the zones watching for safety, assisting any activity, and helping the children connect to the lesson of the day. All zones are introduced at the beginning of Zone Time. Some suggested zones are included below. It is usually best to have all children go to the Snack Zone first. Sing a blessing song or say a snack prayer together before dismissing to the zones. During the Zone Time, children may arrive from mid-service dismissal if this is an option at your church. Be prepared to welcome the children and invite them to choose a zone. Snack Zone: Give each child a licorice whip. Have them lay it on the table in a winding path. Give each child several candies (raisins, M & M s, Skittles) to trace along the licorice path. The licorice path reminds us that we each have a path and a purpose to lead us to God. 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 1 5

Drama Zone: Provide occupational costumes like policeman, nurse, pastor, teacher, bride, doctor, etc. Explain that God has a purpose for each of us, no matter what job we have when we grow up. Coloring Zone: Color the coloring page, God Made Me for His Purpose. Video Zone: Treasures From Heaven: The Animated Stories from the New Testament, Nest Masters Inc., 1991 Craft Zone: Have children create their path on the template provided. Have them color the me picture. Let them use the glue bottle to make their own unique winding path to Jesus. They can sprinkle glitter on their glue to show their path to Jesus. Attach a pre-made sticker that says, God Made Me For His Purposes Follow God s Path. Play Zone: Use masking tape or string to create a maze on the floor for the children to walk through and figure out. Quiet Reading Zone: Basket of books. Zacchaeus is a wonderful example of someone who discovered that his purpose was to live for God, rather than money. Include a book about Zacchaeus, such as Too Tall, Too Small, by Mary Manz Simon, from the Hear Me Read Big Book Series, published by Concordia Publishing House. Music Zone: Thank You, Lord, for Making Me by Vince Barlow from the CD titled Dance, Shout, Sing, by Willow Creek. Closing Worship: (20 minutes) Purpose: As you empty the zones and clean up, begin the music so the children can start wandering over. Worship Songs: Choose one or two songs and list them here. Bible Application with Puppet Presentation: Purpose: The puppet demonstrates the need that will be met in today s lesson. The scripts are not written verbatim, but give a story line in which the group leader can interact with the puppet. 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 1 6

Sammy comes out feeling sad. His mom is busy with Sunday school lessons. His dad is busy with work. His big brother is working on his newspaper route. Everyone he knows is busy with important jobs. But Sammy isn t busy with anything. He doesn t feel like he is important at all. He has no important jobs to do for anyone. Nobody needs him. The large group presenter tells him that this is not true! He explains that Sammy has a very important purpose! God needs Sammy! Today s lesson is about everyone having a special purpose for God. God has a plan for each and every one of us! The large group presenter should get the boxes out from the Bible event and let the kids explain to Sammy what each prop represented. The large group presenter should help explain the props and tell Sammy that God has a very special purpose for him. Sammy can start doing any of the things that God wants us to do, like helping others and telling them about Jesus. These are the most important jobs that Sammy can do! Remember: *WHY AM I HERE? God made us for his purposes. Prayer Time: Purpose: Allow children to contribute their own prayers. This will teach them to turn to God in both good times and in times of trouble. End with the Lord s Prayer. Children Pray Options: (select one from the options below) Prayer Train Option: Children line up and take turns stepping in front of the microphone and speak their brief prayers of thanksgiving. Prayer Chair: Children stand in a circle around one child sitting on a chair in the middle. All children in the circle will lay a hand on the child sitting in the chair as they say a prayer together. Popcorn Prayer: The leader moves through the crowd with a microphone and taps children on the head to stand and speak their prayer. Lord s Prayer: Lead the children through the Lord s Prayer, phrase by phrase, or let them pray the entire Prayer along with you. Blessing: May God, who is all around you, pour his love upon you. And Jesus, his life a sacrifice, walk right there beside you. (slowly make large circle with hands) (slowly make a large sign of the cross) 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 1 7

And may God s Holy Spirit, (hold hands over heart through last line ) the one who lives inside you, keep you steadfast, comfort, lead and guide you! (open arms wide) Song of Sending: Choose one song and list it here. Closing Zones: Purpose: Children go to an activity zone such as, the coloring zone, quiet reading zone, and children s Christian music video zone, as they wait for their parents. 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 1 8

God Talk At Home Ages 4-5-K This Week s Lesson: God Creates Us For His Purposes Take Home Point: (Parents Say): Why am I here? (Kids Say): God made us for his purposes. Drive Time Home Parents, ask me what I did today in Kingdom Quest: Learned about the purposes of tools and the purposes of our lives through an active Bible event. Made a fruit snack and compared the tools used to make the snack to the jobs God gives us for our lives. Drive Time Home Parents, ask me what I did today in Kids Church: Went on a Treasure Hunt to learn about the purposes God has for us. Created a Follow God s Path craft in the craft zone. Made a snack that reminds us that we each have a path and a purpose to lead us to God. FAMILY DEVOTIONS: READ THE BIBLE EVENT OR READ THE BIBLE VERSE: Ephesians 2:10 from an early reading Bible. JESUS LINK: By Jesus power we can do God s work. TALK ABOUT IT: Why are we here? What are God s purposes for us? Who gives us the power to do the jobs God gives us? PRAYER POWER: Thank God for giving you special purposes in life. Ask him to help you know those purposes and do the jobs he has prepared for you. FAMILY TIME OPTIONS: Make and eat a favorite treat such as pudding or cookies. What cooking tools did you use? What was the purpose of each tool? How can God use us to make his kingdom stronger? 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 1

Date: Series: Why Am I Here? (Special Series) Lesson 2 Bible Verse: Mark 12:30 Worship: We Are Here To Love God Take Home Point: *WHY AM I HERE? We are here to love God. *Repeat this phrase throughout the lesson. The leader will say the first part of the phrase (CAPS). The children respond with the second part of the phrase (italics). Jesus Link: God s biggest show of love for us was sending his son Jesus. What kids will learn about God in this worship experience: Children will learn that God loves us very much. God shows us his love by sending Jesus, his own son, to our world. Jesus gave his whole life for us on the cross. That s how much God loves us. Because of that, we can love him with our whole selves. Kids will take home the point: *WHY AM I HERE? We are here to love God. Children will respond to God s love as they pray to him, thanking him for loving them and giving them Jesus. They will offer him their songs, their offerings, and their actions of love as worship. They will participate in loving God with their whole selves heart, soul, mind and strength. 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 2 1

Welcome Zone: (15 20 minutes) Purpose: While kids arrive give them a simple learning readiness activity that requires minimal supervision. This might include a video, games, blocks, or puzzles. Video Suggestion: Choose a video and list it here. Activity Suggestion: Blocks, toys, puzzles, paper, and crayons. Opening Worship: (10-15 minutes) Children can bring forward the cross, candles, Bible, offering plate, and treasure box. The treasure box contains the props used to tell or dramatize the Bible event. Open with a simple prayer having the children repeat after you. Collect offering and talk about how God will use it. Praise Songs: Choose two or three songs and list them here. Bible Event: A Visit from the Traveler The traveler is a character costumed in traveling gear: backpack, walking stick, hiking hat, and shoes. He explains that he has traveled all around the world discovering wonderful deeds that God has done. He tells of an adventure he just discovered in God s Word as he pulls the Bible out of his backpack. As he tells the Bible event, he pulls out objects from his backpack that illustrate the story. Traveler: Today, we re going to talk about something very important God s love. In fact, God s love for us and our love for him is about the most important thing we could talk about. Let s try to figure out just how important that is. (Pull toys out.) How many of you have toys at home like these, or even better ones? Do you really like to play with them? Do you even love to play with some of them? Me, too. But, is there anything you love more than toys? (Pull out stuffed animals.) How many of you have stuffed animals at home that are very special to you? Do any of you have real animals at home that you love? I love animals, too. But is there anything you could love more? (Pull out a picture of a friend.) What about friends? Do you have friends? Do you love them and do they love you? Sure, friends are very important to us. But, do you love anyone more than that? (Show a picture of a family.) 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 2 2

You have a family? Moms and dads and brothers and sisters and grandmas and grandpas and cousins? Do you love them very much? Do they love you, too? Yes, they do! Families are very, very important to us. But do you know what? There is someone who loves you even more than your family does. Do you know who it is? (Show cross.) This cross represents God and Jesus. Do you know how much God loves us? He loves us so much that he sent his own Son Jesus to die for our sins. God did that so that we could be friends with him in heaven forever and ever. That s how much he loves us. More than we can even imagine. (Read John 3:16 from your Bible.) So, do you know what we have to do? We have to love him back. God made us to worship him by singing and praying and reading the Bible and going to church. We can show God that we love him with our whole self. Let me read one more Bible verse, Mark 12:30. We will practice that today. Let s practice loving God with all of ourselves. Remember: *Why Am I Here? We Are Here to Love God. Action Zones: (20-30 minutes) Purpose: Children move at their leisure to the activities according to their interest. Adults are assigned to oversee each of the zones watching for safety, assisting any activity, and helping the children connect to the lesson of the day. All zones are introduced at the beginning of Zone Time. Some suggested zones are included below. It is usually best to have all children go to the Snack Zone first. Sing a blessing song or say a snack prayer together before dismissing to the zones. During the Zone Time, children may arrive from mid-service dismissal if this is an option at your church. Be prepared to welcome the children and invite them to choose a zone. Snack Zone: Use a heart-shaped cookie-cutter to imprint a heart on a piece of bread. Spread pink butter or yogurt on the bread inside the heart. This is to remind us of God s love for us and our love for him. Another option is to use vanilla wafers as our whole self. Spread red icing as a picture of love. We love God with our whole selves. Drama Zone: Practice worshipping. Choose that which is appropriate to your setting. Provide picture book Bibles, hymnals, or musical instruments. Practice praying and singing and dancing for God. Coloring Zone: Color Why am I Here? We are Here to Love God coloring page. Puppet Zone: Let kids use puppets to show examples of worship or loving God. Examples: Singing, prayer, giving offerings, helping others, telling others about Jesus, etc. 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 2 3

Felt Zone: Use felt board materials to show people worshipping or showing love to God. Messy Zone: Provide play dough for children to shape hearts or provide heart shaped cookie cutters. Craft Zone: Provide large paper hearts of various colors. Give each child two hearts to decorate with crayons, markers and stickers. Tape or glue the two hearts together so they just barely overlap. On one heart, place the pre-made sticker that says, God loves me and on the other heart, place the pre-made sticker that says, I love God. Play Zone: Have the children gather around to wave a parachute. Have many small balls to throw onto the parachute. Each time a child throws a ball onto the parachute, name one way they can love God with all of their heart, strength, mind, or soul. Quiet Reading Zone: Basket of books. Music Zone: Lead children in singing worship music such as the Counting Song by Jacquelyn & Jon Negus, from Hip Hop Happy Day by Willow Creek Closing Worship: (20 minutes) Purpose: As you empty the zones and clean up, begin the music so the children can start wandering over. Worship Songs: Choose one or two songs and list them here. Bible Application with Puppet Presentation: Purpose: The puppet demonstrates the need that will be met in today s lesson. The scripts are not written verbatim, but give a story line in which the group leader can interact with the puppet. Sammy comes out and knows that we re talking about loving God today. The large group presenter tells him that he s right and we re going to learn some ways that we can love God with all of ourselves. Sammy wants to know what it means to love God with all of ourselves. The large group presenter explains the four ways to love God with our 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 2 4

whole self. There are actions to learn, too. The presenter invites the kids to do the actions, so that we can teach Sammy. We can worship God with all of our heart. (Cross your hands over your heart.) We can worship God with all of our soul. (Wrap your arms around yourself like you re giving yourself a big hug.) We can worship God with all of our strength. (Lift your arms and show your muscles.) We can worship God with all of our mind. (Point to your head.) Practice the actions a few times. Then practice together using some examples like these: When we read the Bible, we are using our. (Mind kids point to head.) When we sing a song from deep within us, we are using our. (Soul kids do the action.) When we hug someone who needs it, we are using our. (Heart kids do action.) When we help our neighbor carry something heavy, we are using our (Strength kids do action.) Do several more examples. Together, sing the song and do the actions Mind and heart, and soul and strength to the tune of Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes. Remember: *WHY AM I HERE? We are here to love God! Prayer Time: Purpose: Allow children to contribute their own prayers. This will teach them to turn to God in both good times and in times of trouble. End with the Lord s Prayer. Children Pray Options: (select one from the options below) Prayer Train Option: Children line up and take turns stepping in front of the microphone and speak their brief prayers of thanksgiving. Prayer Chair: Children stand in a circle around one child sitting on a chair in the middle. All children in the circle will lay a hand on the child sitting in the chair as they say a prayer together. 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 2 5

Popcorn Prayer: The leader moves through the crowd with a microphone and taps children on the head to stand and speak their prayer. Lord s Prayer: Lead the children through the Lord s Prayer, phrase by phrase, or let them pray the entire Prayer along with you. Blessing: May God, who is all around you, pour his love upon you. And Jesus, his life a sacrifice, walk right there beside you. (slowly make large circle with hands) (slowly make a large sign of the cross) And may God s Holy Spirit, (hold hands over heart through last line ) the one who lives inside you, keep you steadfast, comfort, lead and guide you! (open arms wide) Song of Sending: Choose one song and list it here. Closing Zones: Purpose: Children go to an activity zone such as, the coloring zone, quiet reading zone, and children s Christian music video zone, as they wait for their parents. 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 2 6

God Talk At Home Ages 4-5-K This Week s Lesson: Worship: We are Here to Love God. Take Home Point: (Parents Say): Why am I here? (Kids Say): We are here to love God. Drive Time Home Drive Time Home Parents, ask me what I did today in Kingdom Quest: Participated in a Bible event that demonstrated God giving us his love and us giving our love back to him. Made cinnamon and sugar applesauce and talked about loving God with our whole selves. Played a love puff relay, which represented giving our love to God. Parents, ask me what I did today in Kids Church: Learned how we can show God our love in a lesson from The Traveler Made a heart-shaped cookie snack to remind us of God s love for us, and ours for him. Decorated paper hearts in the craft zone. FAMILY DEVOTIONS: READ THE BIBLE EVENT OR READ THE BIBLE VERSE: Mark 12:30 from an early reading Bible. JESUS LINK: God loved us with all of himself, so much that he gave us Jesus. TALK ABOUT IT: Why do we love God? How did God show us his love? How can we show God that we love him? PRAYER POWER: Use your prayer time to thank God for loving you and to tell him how much you love him. FAMILY TIME OPTIONS: Talk about how you, as a family, can worship God at home. When you have family devotions, or pray together, those are important times to tell God that you love him. When you help other people, it is also a way you can worship God, because you are showing God that you love him by your actions. 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 2

Date: Series: Why Am I Here? (Special Series) Lesson 3 Bible Verse: Romans 12:5 Fellowship: We Are Here to Be Part of God s Family Take Home Point: *WHY AM I HERE? We are here to be part of God s family. *Repeat this phrase throughout the lesson. The leader will say the first part of the phrase (CAPS). The children respond with the second part of the phrase (italics). Jesus Link: God sent Jesus because we needed him most of all. What kids will learn about God in this worship experience: Children will learn that because of Jesus, we are part of God s family. Being part of God s family is an important purpose he has for us. We can help others and we can discover that we need others, too! We are the body of Christ; and just like each part of a body is important, each one of us is important. Kids will take home the point: *WHY AM I HERE? We are here to be part of God s family. Children will respond to God s love as they pray to him, thanking him for loving them and giving them Jesus. They will offer him their songs of worship, their offerings, and their actions of love as they actively learn God s Word. 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 3 1 Permission to photocopy Kids Church and Kingdom Quest materials granted to purchaser only for local church use.

Welcome Zone: (15 20 minutes) Purpose: While kids arrive give them a simple learning readiness activity that requires minimal supervision. This might include a video, games, blocks, or puzzles. Video Suggestion: Choose a video and list it here. Activity Suggestion: Blocks, toys, puzzles, paper, and crayons. Opening Worship: (10-15 minutes) Children can bring forward the cross, candles, Bible, offering plate, and treasure box. The treasure box contains the props used to tell or dramatize the Bible event. Open with a simple prayer having the children repeat after you. Collect offering and talk about how God will use it. Praise Songs: Choose two or three songs and list them here. Bible Event: Mystery Box The Mystery Box contains objects will help the presenter tell the Bible even in creative fashion. They can be lifted out and shown as the story is told. Another option is to have a hole cut in the top of the box so that a child could put a hand in and guess what the object is before it is shown. The mystery box should contain a Mr. or Ms. Potato Head toy. The doll should have nothing on it, and only one of the body parts should be available for the large group presenter to use. For instance, have four sets of eyes to put on the doll, but no ears, mouths, noses, etc. As the large group presenter places the eyes on the doll, the children should start to tell him that he s doing it wrong. What do you mean, I m doing it wrong? These are the only parts that are in here. If he has lots of eyes, he ll be able to see really well. (The kids point out that he won t be able to hear, smell, talk, etc. ) This is kind of like today s lesson. Will Mr. PotatoHead be able to get very much done with only eyes? No! He needs all of his parts to be able to do things. Well, God works like that, too. Let me show you what God says in his word. (Read 1 Cor. 12:17-19.) You see, we are all like a different body part. All of us are different, but we are all important. God wants each and every one of us to work together to get things done. He knows that each person, like you and me, is special and can do certain things really well. He knows that if we all come together we can do great things for him! He 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 3 2 Permission to photocopy Kids Church and Kingdom Quest materials granted to purchaser only for local church use.

knows that if we try to do things alone all of the time, that we ll be like that Mr. Potato Head with all of the eyes! Let s read Romans 12:5. (Read from your easy reading translation.) All of these special different parts you know what they remind me of? A family. We are all like a family, with different parts, working together. Remember: *WHY AM I HERE? We are here to be part of God s family. Action Zones: (20-30 minutes) Purpose: Children move at their leisure to the activities according to their interest. Adults are assigned to oversee each of the zones watching for safety, assisting any activity, and helping the children connect to the lesson of the day. All zones are introduced at the beginning of Zone Time. Some suggested zones are included below. It is usually best to have all children go to the Snack Zone first. Sing a blessing song or say a snack prayer together before dismissing to the zones. During the Zone Time, children may arrive from mid-service dismissal if this is an option at your church. Be prepared to welcome the children and invite them to choose a zone. Snack Zone: Provide a variety of marshmallows (large, small, colors) and pretzel sticks or rings. Have the children put the parts together any way they like to create a person. Drama Zone: Provide occupational costumes like doctors, nurses, teachers, firefighters, etc. Have the children act out the different jobs and explain that as God s family, we have many different jobs that can help others. Coloring Zone: Color Why am I Here? We are here to be part of God s family coloring page. Puppet Zone: Children use the puppets to act out different people in a family (mom, dad, sister, brother, grandparent) or in a community (pastor, teacher, policeman, doctor, etc.) Have each puppet tell how they can show God s love to others. Some puppets can even work together, helping another puppet. Felt Zone: Use felt board materials to act out a scene where people are working together (for example: a family meal, a hospital, a church service, a classroom, etc.). Craft Zone: Make a We are Part of God s Family mural. Provide a large sheet of butcher paper and several colors of paint. Have the children paint their handprints on the mural. They could also put handprints on blank paper with a preprinted label We Need Each Other to take home. 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 3 3 Permission to photocopy Kids Church and Kingdom Quest materials granted to purchaser only for local church use.

Play Zone: Provide large floor puzzles for the children to put together while working together. Quiet Reading Zone: Basket of books. Music Zone: Sing and dance the Hokey Pokey, as it relates the different parts of the body, and how all parts work together as a whole. Or, sing or listen to I Am Special by Jacquelyn & Jon Negus from Hip Hop Happy Day by Willow Creek. Closing Worship: (20 minutes) Purpose: As you empty the zones and clean up, begin the music so the children can start wandering over. Worship Songs: Choose one or two songs and list them here. Bible Application with Puppet Presentation: Purpose: The puppet demonstrates the need that will be met in today s lesson. The scripts are not written verbatim, but give a story line in which the group leader can interact with the puppet. Neon comes onto stage with his head hung down, looking sad. The large group presenter asks him what s wrong. Neon knows that today s lesson is about being in God s family, needing each other and working together. But, he doesn t think he can help. He can t think of a thing to do that he would be good at and he doesn t know what he could possibly do to help someone else. The large group presenter cheers him up and tells him that he is very special. Jesus gave his life so we could be part of God s family. That should make us all feel special. But there is more. There are lots of things Neon can do. (Use this time to discuss a mission idea or project in your church that children could get involved in. Or use the ideas listed below.) Collect kids clothes, etc. for orphans in another country Visit a nursing home Make art to decorate the church Have kids welcome others to the church Invite a friend to church Draw a bulletin cover Work on the Christmas or Easter programs Clean up around the church Sing a song to cheer someone up 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 3 4 Permission to photocopy Kids Church and Kingdom Quest materials granted to purchaser only for local church use.

The large group presenter explains that there are lots of ways people can work together to do great things for God. Maybe Neon is good at singing or drawing or collecting boxes and talking to other people. Those are all ways that he could get involved. Neon is very excited that he can find a way to help! Remember: *WHY AM I HERE? We are here to be part of God s family. Prayer Time: Purpose: Allow children to contribute their own prayers. This will teach them to turn to God in both good times and in times of trouble. End with the Lord s Prayer. Children Pray Options: (select one from the options below) Prayer Train Option: Children line up and take turns stepping in front of the microphone and speak their brief prayers of thanksgiving. Prayer Chair: Children stand in a circle around one child sitting on a chair in the middle. All children in the circle will lay a hand on the child sitting in the chair as they say a prayer together. Popcorn Prayer: The leader moves through the crowd with a microphone and taps children on the head to stand and speak their prayer. Lord s Prayer: Lead the children through the Lord s Prayer, phrase by phrase, or let them pray the entire Prayer along with you. Blessing: May God, who is all around you, pour his love upon you. And Jesus, his life a sacrifice, walk right there beside you. (slowly make large circle with hands) (slowly make a large sign of the cross) And may God s Holy Spirit, (hold hands over heart through last line ) the one who lives inside you, keep you steadfast, comfort, lead and guide you! (open arms wide) Song of Sending: Choose one song and list it here. 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 3 5 Permission to photocopy Kids Church and Kingdom Quest materials granted to purchaser only for local church use.

Closing Zones: Purpose: Children go to an activity zone such as, the coloring zone, quiet reading zone, and children s Christian music video zone, as they wait for their parents. 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 3 6 Permission to photocopy Kids Church and Kingdom Quest materials granted to purchaser only for local church use.

God Talk At Home Ages 4-5-K This Week s Lesson: Fellowship: We are Here to Be Part of God s Family Take Home Point: (Parents Say): Why are we here? (Kids Say): We are here to be part of God s family. Drive Time Home Drive Time Home Parents, ask me what I did today in Kingdom Quest: Made a music machine and used it to praise Jesus. Made and ate a trail mix snack, and used the activity to discuss how we are all different parts of God s family, but together we make God s family stronger and better. Played a cooperative balloon game, and used it to talk about working together in God s family. Parents, ask me what I did today in Kids Church: Learned how we are all a family, different parts, working together in the Bible Event Made a We are Part of God s Family mural in the craft zone Learned how we can work together to do great things for God, from Neon, the puppet. FAMILY DEVOTIONS: READ THE BIBLE EVENT OR READ THE BIBLE VERSE: Romans 12:5 from an early reading Bible. JESUS LINK: Jesus brought me into God s family. TALK ABOUT IT: How did Jesus bring us into God s family? How do we need each other? How can we help God s family? PRAYER POWER: Point to your head and ask God to use your mind to help God s family. Hold out your hands, and ask God to help you use your hands to help God s family. Touch your feet, and ask God to use your feet to help God s family. Touch your lips, and ask God to use your mouth to help God s family. Put your hands over your heart, and ask God to use your heart to help God s family. Thank God for sending Jesus to bring you into God s family. FAMILY TIME OPTIONS: Work together to make a batch of cookies, muffins, or a cake. As you eat your treat, talk about ways you can work together as a family, and how you can work together to help God s family. 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 3

Date: Series: Why Am I Here? (Special Series) Lesson 4 Discipleship: We Can Become Like Jesus Bible Verse: Mark 4:26-29 Take Home Point: *WHY AM I HERE? We are here to become like Jesus. *Repeat this phrase throughout the lesson. The leader will say the first part of the phrase (CAPS). The children respond with the second part of the phrase (italics). Jesus Link: God wants us to become more like Jesus. What kids will learn about God in this worship experience: Children will learn that an important purpose that God has for us is to become like Jesus. God sent Jesus to give his life for us, so that we might be part of God s family, and be changed to be more like Jesus. Just like we grow older, we can grow on the inside to be more like him. Kids will take home the point: *WHY AM I HERE? We are here to become like Jesus. Children will respond to God s love as they pray to him, thanking him for loving them and creating them. They will offer him their songs of worship, their offerings, and their actions of love as they actively learn God s Word. 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 4 1

Welcome Zone: (15 20 minutes) Purpose: While kids arrive give them a simple learning readiness activity that requires minimal supervision. This might include a video, games, blocks, or puzzles. Video Suggestion: Choose a video and list it here. Activity Suggestion: Blocks, toys, puzzles, paper, and crayons. Opening Worship: (10-15 minutes) Children can bring forward the cross, candles, Bible, offering plate, and treasure box. The treasure box contains the props used to tell or dramatize the Bible event. Open with a simple prayer having the children repeat after you. Collect offering and talk about how God will use it. Praise Songs: Choose two or three songs and list them here. Bible Event: Participation Drama (Object lesson option: Use the Mystery Box, place sunflower and sunflower seeds inside.) Growing Like a Plant! Mark 4:26-28 The large group presenter explains that today s lesson is about growing to be like Jesus. Ask the kids what kinds of things grow. Do kids grow? Do dogs grow? Do balls grow? Houses? Plants and flowers? Mailboxes? Etc. Today, we re going to talk about growing, too. First, let s talk about flowers and how they grow. Have the children get in balls on the floor and pretend that they are a seed that somebody s going to plant. Have helpers go around and pat them on the back as if they we re being planted in soil. Then ask the seeds if they need water to grow. Have helpers go around and lightly mist the seeds with a spray bottle. Then have the seeds start to grow by putting their arms up like the top of a plant breaking through the soil. Have them grow more and more until they are standing with their arms extended 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 4 2

like a big plant. Then have them bloom into a big, beautiful flower by putting on the biggest smile that they have. Have the kids sit down again. Read Mark 4:26-28. Explain that Jesus is like a seed growing in our hearts. When we learn about Jesus, trust, and follow him, it is like the seed growing. We become more like him every day: kind and loving. (Include the following paragraph if doing the object lesson option): Do you know what happens to a plant that grows all the way up? It makes seeds. Yes, did you know that sunflowers like this (pull sunflower out of mystery box) are full of seeds like this? (show sunflower seeds). So, then they help plant new seeds to make new plants. When Jesus lives in our hearts, we are like a flower that blooms, but has seeds to make more flower plants. That means we can help plant seeds in others. We can help others know about Jesus, who gave his life for us! Take one of the seeds now. (Pass out sunflower seeds.) Open up the shell and eat the little seed. This will remind you that Jesus is in you. But now, take another seed and give it to a friend. As you become more like Jesus, you can tell others, just like passing along these seeds. And whenever we remember Jesus and praise him, it s like a big flower blooming inside of us. That s how we can grow to become like Jesus. Remember: *WHY AM I HERE? We are here to become like Jesus. Action Zones: (20-30 minutes) Purpose: Children move at their leisure to the activities according to their interest. Adults are assigned to oversee each of the zones watching for safety, assisting any activity, and helping the children connect to the lesson of the day. All zones are introduced at the beginning of Zone Time. Some suggested zones are included below. It is usually best to have all children go to the Snack Zone first. Sing a blessing song or say a snack prayer together before dismissing to the zones. During the Zone Time, children may arrive from mid-service dismissal if this is an option at your church. Be prepared to welcome the children and invite them to choose a zone. Snack Zone: Make flowers by using Vanilla Wafer Tulip Shaped cookies. Use a little frosting and a pretzel stick to attach the stem. 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 4 3

Drama Zone: Practice telling another friend about Jesus and what he has done. Or, practice explaining the Coloring Page or the sunflower object lesson to a friend. Coloring Zone: Why am I Here? We are here to become like Jesus coloring page. Puppet Zone: Jesus was very kind to people who were hurt. Let one child pretend his or her puppet is hurt and needs someone else to help. Another child s puppet can be like Jesus and help! Messy Zone: Provide potting soil and a flowering seed in season. Put them into a cup with a lid or a sandwich baggy with a seal to take home and plant/grow. Craft Zone: Make flower puppet/masks. Provide paper plates with the center circle cut out. Have petal shaped (or just rectangular strips) of colored construction paper for children to glue onto the paper plate for petals. Attach the flower mask to a craft stick. Make stickers (pre-made mailing labels) that say: Growing to be like Jesus. Quiet Reading Zone: Basket of books, possibly provide plants or flowers to read beside. Music Zone: Let children listen to I Want to Be Like Jesus by Cindy Rethmeier from Change My Heart, Oh God, Vineyard Music. Perhaps a group could learn it. Closing Worship: (20 minutes) Purpose: As you empty the zones and clean up, begin the music so the children can start wandering over. Worship Songs: Choose one or two songs and list them here. Bible Application with Puppet Presentation: Purpose: The puppet demonstrates the need that will be met in today s lesson. The scripts are not written verbatim, but give a story line in which the group leader can interact with the puppet. 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 4 4

Sammy comes out with a flower mask from the craft zone, singing, I m planting a flower for God, I m planting a flower for God. The large group presenter interrupts and tells Sammy that his mask is nice, but asks what he means when he sings, I m planting a flower for God? Sammy thinks about it and says that he thought the lesson meant that we re supposed to plant flowers for God. The large group presenter tells Sammy that flowers are pretty, but we don t have to plant flowers for God. You see, we watch flowers grow on the outside, but the most important thing to us is what grows on the inside. Jesus grows inside of us, just like a flower grows outside. Think about a time this past week when you shared a toy with a friend. Can any of you think of a time like that? Did any of you do what your mom or dad asked you to this week? Every time we share, or listen to our parents, or help someone else, Jesus is blooming in our hearts. Sammy figures it out. So we don t actually plant flowers, we just show that Jesus is growing in our hearts? The large group leader encourages him and tells him that God s word even says that God loved us so much, he gave us Jesus, and if you believe, he will grow in your heart and bloom. Remember: *WHY AM I HERE? We are here to become like Jesus. Prayer Time: Purpose: Allow children to contribute their own prayers. This will teach them to turn to God in both good times and in times of trouble. End with the Lord s Prayer. Children Pray Options: (select one from the options below) Prayer Train Option: Children line up and take turns stepping in front of the microphone and speak their brief prayers of thanksgiving. Prayer Chair: Children stand in a circle around one child sitting on a chair in the middle. All children in the circle will lay a hand on the child sitting in the chair as they say a prayer together. Popcorn Prayer: The leader moves through the crowd with a microphone and taps children on the head to stand and speak their prayer. Lord s Prayer: Lead the children through the Lord s Prayer, phrase by phrase, or let them pray the entire Prayer along with you. 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 4 5

Blessing: May God, who is all around you, pour his love upon you. And Jesus, his life a sacrifice, walk right there beside you. (slowly make large circle with hands) (slowly make a large sign of the cross) And may God s Holy Spirit, (hold hands over heart through last line ) the one who lives inside you, keep you steadfast, comfort, lead and guide you! (open arms wide) Song of Sending: Choose one song and list it here. Closing Zones: Purpose: Children go to an activity zone such as, the coloring zone, quiet reading zone, and children s Christian music video zone, as they wait for their parents. 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 4 6

God Talk At Home Ages 4-5-K This Week s Lesson: Discipleship: We are Here to Become Like Jesus Take Home Point: (Parents Say): Why am I here? (Kids Say): We are here to become like Jesus. Drive Time Home Drive Time Home Parents, ask me what I did today in Kingdom Quest: Watched an activity, in which the children learned how they can become more like Jesus Made and ate a butterfly, as a reminder that we are new creations in Christ. Play a game Jesus Says. Parents, ask me what I did today in Kids Church: 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 4 Learned how, like a seed growing into a flower, we can grow to become more like Jesus in today s Bible Event Made flower-shaped cookie snacks Made flower puppet/masks to remind us we are Growing to be like Jesus FAMILY DEVOTIONS: READ THE BIBLE EVENT OR READ THE BIBLE VERSE: 2 Corinthians 5:17 from an early reading Bible. JESUS LINK: God wants us to become more like Jesus. TALK ABOUT IT: What are some ways in which we can become more like Jesus? What are some ways we are not like Jesus, ways in which we sin? When we sin and are not like Jesus, what does Jesus do? PRAYER POWER: Have each family member think of a way in which he or she wants to become more like Jesus, and ask Jesus to help him or her be that way. Ask Jesus to forgive each of you for the times in which you are not like Jesus. FAMILY TIME OPTIONS: Make a chart of ways the people in your family can be more like Jesus. Each time someone demonstrates one of those actions make a cross by it as a reminder that we can be like Jesus, because he died on the cross to forgive us when we make mistakes. After your family gets 20 crosses, celebrate with ice cream sundaes, a picnic, or by camping on the living room floor. Becoming more like Jesus should be a joy and a celebration! He loves us and we want to show him that we love him back.

Bible Verse: Luke 10:25-37 Date: Series: Why Am I Here? (Special Series) Lesson 5 Ministry: We Are Here to Help Others Take Home Point: *WHY AM I HERE? We are here to help others. *Repeat this phrase throughout the lesson. The leader will say the first part of the phrase (CAPS). The children respond with the second part of the phrase (italics). Jesus Link: We can help others, because Jesus first helps us. What kids will learn about God in this worship experience: Children will learn that God has a purpose for us to live our lives by helping others. We can share Jesus with others by being kind and helping others in all kinds of ways. By serving others, we are ultimately serving God. Kids will take home the point: *WHY AM I HERE? We are here to help others. Children will respond to God s love as they pray to him, thanking him for loving them and giving them Jesus. They will offer him their songs of worship, their offerings, and their actions of love as they actively learn God s Word. 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 5 1

Welcome Zone: (15 20 minutes) Purpose: While kids arrive give them a simple learning readiness activity that requires minimal supervision. This might include a video, games, blocks, or puzzles. Video Suggestion: Veggie Tales: Are You My Neighbor? Big Idea Productions, 1995. Animated Stories of the New Testament: The Good Samaritan, Nest Masters II Inc., 1989. (30 min.) The Beginners Bible: The Story of the Good Samaritan, Sony Music Entertainment, Inc. and Time-Life Video and Television. (30 min.) Activity Suggestion: Blocks, toys, puzzles, paper, and crayons. Opening Worship: (10-15 minutes) Children can bring forward the cross, candles, Bible, offering plate, and treasure box. The treasure box contains the props used to tell or dramatize the Bible event. Open with a simple prayer having the children repeat after you. Collect offering and talk about how God will use it. Praise Songs: Choose two or three songs and list them here. Bible Event: Video Presentation and Echo Pantomime Test your sound and video system beforehand. Cue the video to precise beginning. For larger groups of children (15 or more) use a large screen TV or imager. Dim the lights before showing. To introduce a video, you might read from a Bible storybook and leave off the ending, inviting them to see what happens by watching the video. Also, you can introduce the video by inviting them to watch for special actions or words. Leader: Last week, we learned that we are here to become like Christ. This week, we ll learn that we re here to serve others. This story is from the Bible. In it, Jesus told us how we can serve God by serving others. As you watch the video, think about who you would want to be in this story. Would you want to be the one who didn t help the man who was hurt, or would you want to be the one who DID help? 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 5 2

Show one of the following videos: Bed Bug Bible Gang: Parable Parade, Morning Light Media, 1999. (Five minute segment from 6:55 7:00) The Miracle Maker: The Story of Jesus, Family Home Entertainment, 1999. (Cue the video to the line, Master, come sit with us what must a man do to be saved? (46:40) Stop after the line, You go then and do the same. ) When you have finished discussing the video, act out the following Echo Pantomime. The large group presenter says the phrase and does the action, and the children echo it by immediately repeating the words and actions. It s helpful to have a second adult leading the children s echo. THE GOOD SAMARITAN (ECHO PANTOMIME) ONE DAY WHILE I WAS WALKING DOWN THE ROAD FROM JERUSALEM TO JERICHO ALL OF A SUDDEN ROBBERS JUMPED OUT! THEY BEAT ME UP! AND TOOK ALL MY MONEY. I LAY ON THE GROUND NEARLY DEAD. PRETTY SOON A PRIEST WALKED BY. HE SAW ME AND WALKED TO OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD! PRETTY SOON A LEVITE WALKED BY. HE WORKS IN THE CHURCH, TOO. HE SAID, OH MY, I MUST HURRY ON MY WAY. (hand out) (walking in place) (stretch hand from one side to the other) (look surprised) (jump out, hold up fists) (move fists as if fighting) (put money in pocket, walk away) (lie on the ground) (walking in place) (look, move over as you walk) (swing your body as you walk by) (stop, look, and swing on by) 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 5 3

AND THEN A SAMARITAN CAME BY ON HIS DONKEY. HE SAW ME AND JUMPED DOWN OFF HIS DONKEY! (tap legs to make the sound of a walking donkey) (looked surprised and jump off the donkey.) HE KNELT DOWN BESIDE ME AND SAID, I MUST HELP THIS MAN. (kneel down) HE PUT BANDAGES ON MY WOUNDS. HE LIFTED ME ONTO HIS DONKEY. HE TOOK ME TO THE INN AND CARRIED ME INSIDE. HE TOLD THE INNKEEPER, HERE IS MONEY, PLEASE TAKE CARE OF THIS MAN. (pretend to put on bandages) (pretend to lift the man onto the donkey) (lift him off the donkey, pretend to carry the man.) (hand him money) IF THIS IS NOT ENOUGH, I WILL GIVE YOU MORE. NOW, WHO DO YOU THINK WAS THE GOOD NEIGHBOR? THE PRIEST WHO WALKED ON BY? THE LEVITE WHO WALKED ON BY? THE SAMARITAN ON THE DONKEY? JESUS WANTS US TO BE LIKE THE GOOD SAMARITAN AND HELP OTHERS! (talk to the innkeeper) (scratch your head) (pretend to walk) (pretend to walk and swing) (tap your legs) (pretend to hold man in arms) (reach out arms) 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 5 4

Action Zones: (20-30 minutes) Purpose: Children move at their leisure to the activities according to their interest. Adults are assigned to oversee each of the zones watching for safety, assisting any activity, and helping the children connect to the lesson of the day. All zones are introduced at the beginning of Zone Time. Some suggested zones are included below. It is usually best to have all children go to the Snack Zone first. Sing a blessing song or say a snack prayer together before dismissing to the zones. During the Zone Time, children may arrive from mid-service dismissal if Snack Zone: Place a Keebler elf-shaped cookie (or any cookie shaped like a person) on a section of graham cracker. This represents the hurt man on a stretcher from the Good Samaritan story. Drama Zone: Provide doctor and nurse costumes and kits for children to practice helping one another. Coloring Zone: Color Why am I Here? We are Here to Help Others coloring page. Puppet Zone: Assign parts to children, so their puppets can act out the story of the Good Samaritan. Or have them pretend to be doctors or lifeguards, or other people whose job it is to help others. Felt Zone: Use felt board materials to act out the story of the Good Samaritan. Video Zone: Veggie Tales: Are You My Neighbor? Big Idea Productions, 1995. Craft Zone: Make a sheet of coupons offering help to a member of the family. Have children color and fill in the attached coupon template. Have them cut the coupons apart and place them in an envelope to take home. Place a pre-made sticker (Avery 5160 mailing label) on the envelope saying, We Are Here to Help Others. Play Zone: Provide puzzles and blocks for the children to work on together. Quiet Reading Zone: Hear Me Read Big Book Who Can Help? written by Mary Manz Simon, Concordia Publishing House. Music Zone: Play the song, Jesus Love is Bubblin Over by Angela Naeve Music Ministry from the CD titled, The Praise Club. 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 5 5

Closing Worship: (20 minutes) Purpose: As you empty the zones and clean up, begin the music so the children can start wandering over. Worship Songs: Choose one or two songs and list them here. Bible Application with Puppet Presentation: Purpose: The puppet demonstrates the need that will be met in today s lesson. The scripts are not written verbatim, but give a story line in which the group leader can interact with the puppet. Sammy comes out onto stage and the large group presenter says he has a quiz for Sammy. The presenter asks Sammy Why are we here? Sammy answers correctly, We are here to serve others! Sammy s proud that he was paying attention in Kid s Church today. Then the large group presenter asks him, Why do we serve others? Sammy doesn t know. The large group presenter asks the kids if they know. We are here to serve others because it is a way to serve God. How can we serve others? Jesus told us the story of one man who served others. It s called the Good Samaritan. You remember the story don t you? Now let s act out a pretend story of how we can be like the Good Samaritan. ECHO PANTOMIME THE GOOD SAMARITAN (Modern day version) ONE DAY, WHILE I WAS RIDING MY SCOOTER DOWN THE SIDEWALK TO PLAY WITH MY FRIENDS, I HIT A BUMP AND FELL OFF MY SCOOTER. I HURT MY KNEE VERY BADLY. (hands out) (scoot in place) (point) (jump up and fall down) (hold knee) 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 5 6

I CRIED. I YELLED FOR HELP. NO ONE HEARD ME. ALONG CAME MY FRIEND ON HIS ROLLER BLADES. HE WAVED HI AND SAID, I M ON MY WAY TO PLAY! ALONG CAME OUR NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR LADY. SHE STOPPED AND LOOKED AT ME. BE MORE CAREFUL ON THAT SCOOTER, SHE SAID. THEN SHE WALKED ON. I THOUGHT NO ONE WOULD HELP ME! ALONG CAME A NEW GIRL IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. SHE WAS RIDING HER BIKE. SHE STOPPED HER BIKE! SHE ASKED, WHAT HAPPENED? I SHOWED HER MY KNEE. SHE TOOK HER TISSUE AND WIPED MY KNEE. SHE HELPED ME UP ON HER BIKE. SHE ASKED, WHERE DO YOU LIVE? SHE PUSHED HER BIKE ALL THE WAY TO MY HOUSE. MY MOM HELPED ME INTO THE HOUSE. (cry) (call Help! ) (look sad) (pretend to skate) (wave and ride away) (walk along) (look down) (look down and shake a finger) (pretend to walk away) (hold knee and look sad) (point around the room) (pretend to ride bike) (stop bike) (bend down) (hold knee) (wipe knee) (show help getting up) (ask the question) (pretend to push a bike) (limp into house) WE SAID, THANK YOU TO THE NEW GIRL. (wave good-bye) 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 5 7

WHO HELPED ME? MY FRIEND ON HIS ROLLER BLADES? NO! THE GROWN-UP NEIGHBOR? NO! THE NEW GIRL ON HER BIKE? YES! JESUS, TEACH ME TO BE A HELPER LIKE HER. (lift hands in question) (scoot on feet) (shake head back and forth) (walk) (shake head back and forth) (ride bike) (shake head up and down) (fold hands in prayer) Remember: *WHY AM I HERE? We are here to serve others. Prayer Time: Purpose: Allow children to contribute their own prayers. This will teach them to turn to God in both good times and in times of trouble. End with the Lord s Prayer. Children Pray Options: (select one from the options below) Prayer Train Option: Children line up and take turns stepping in front of the microphone and speak their brief prayers of thanksgiving. Prayer Chair: Children stand in a circle around one child sitting on a chair in the middle. All children in the circle will lay a hand on the child sitting in the chair as they say a prayer together. Popcorn Prayer: The leader moves through the crowd with a microphone and taps children on the head to stand and speak their prayer. Lord s Prayer: Lead the children through the Lord s Prayer, phrase by phrase, or let them pray the entire Prayer along with you. 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 5 8

Blessing: May God, who is all around you, pour his love upon you. And Jesus, his life a sacrifice, walk right there beside you. (slowly make large circle with hands) (slowly make a large sign of the cross) And may God s Holy Spirit, (hold hands over heart through last line ) the one who lives inside you, keep you steadfast, comfort, lead and guide you! (open arms wide) Song of Sending: Choose one song and list it here. Closing Zones: Purpose: Children go to an activity zone such as, the coloring zone, quiet reading zone, and children s Christian music video zone, as they wait for their parents. 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 5 9

God Talk At Home Ages 4-5-K This Week s Lesson: Ministry: We Are Here to Help Others Take Home Point: (Parents Say): Why am I here? (Kids Say): We are here to help others. Drive Time Home Drive Time Home Parents, ask me what I did today in Kingdom Quest: Participated in an interactive drama, The Good Samaritan. Helped pass out snack items and made s mores. Played the game, Toilet Paper Toss, as a review of ways to help others. Parents, ask me what I did today in Kids Church: Participated in an Echo Pantomime about The Good Samaritan Bible story. Made a Good Samaritan cookie snack Made coupons we can offer to help our family as we learned today about helping others. FAMILY DEVOTIONS: READ THE BIBLE EVENT OR READ THE BIBLE VERSE: The Good Samaritan from an early reading Bible, or read and summarize the event from 2 Peter 4:10. JESUS LINK: We can help others, because Jesus first helps us. TALK ABOUT IT: In the Bible event, how did the Good Samaritan help the injured traveler? How can we fulfill one of God s purposes for us and help others? How did Jesus help us? PRAYER POWER: Think of someone who needs your help. Ask Jesus to help you help that person. Ask Jesus to help you help others who need help and thank Jesus for helping you by dying on the cross. FAMILY TIME OPTIONS: As a family, go through your clothes, toys, and household items and bag up things you no longer need that are in good condition. Take the items to a charity. When you are finished, pray for the people who will use the things you gave away. Ask God to let the items be a blessing to those people and pray that the people may know God s love. 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 5

Bible Verse: Acts 8:26-40 Date: Series: Why Am I Here? (Special Series) Lesson 6 Evangelism: We Are Here to Tell Others About Jesus Take Home Point: *WHY AM I HERE? We are here to tell others about Jesus. *Repeat this phrase throughout the lesson. The leader will say the first part of the phrase (CAPS). The children respond with the second part of the phrase (italics). Jesus Link: Jesus is the good news. What kids will learn about God in this worship experience: Children will learn that God s purpose for us is to share the good news of Jesus. God loved us so much that he sent Jesus. When we tell others this good news Jesus dying to take away our sins we are sharing God s love with them. Kids will take home the point: *WHY AM I HERE? We are here to tell others about Jesus. Children will respond to God s love as they pray to him, thanking him for loving them and giving them Jesus. They will offer him their songs of worship, their offerings, and their actions of love as they actively learn God s Word. 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 6 1

Welcome Zone: (15 20 minutes) Purpose: While kids arrive give them a simple learning readiness activity that requires minimal supervision. This might include a video, games, blocks, or puzzles. Video Suggestion: Bed Bug Bible Gang: Family Friends, Morning Light Media, 2002. Activity Suggestion: Blocks, toys, puzzles, paper, and crayons. Opening Worship: (10-15 minutes) Children can bring forward the cross, candles, Bible, offering plate, and treasure box. The treasure box contains the props used to tell or dramatize the Bible event. Open with a simple prayer having the children repeat after you. Collect offering and talk about how God will use it. Praise Songs: Choose two or three songs and list them here. Bible Event: A Visit from the Traveler The traveler is a character costumed in traveling gear: backpack, walking stick, hiking hat, and shoes. He explains that he has traveled all around the world discovering wonderful deeds that God has done. He tells of an adventure he just discovered in God s Word as he pulls the Bible out of his backpack. As he tells the Bible event, he pulls out objects from his backpack that illustrate the story. Traveler: God wants us to share the good news of Jesus with everyone we know. Today, I m going to tell you about a man named Philip and how he spread the good news of Jesus. An angel of the Lord told Philip to walk down a road between Jerusalem and Gaza. Philip believed in God and did what he was told. As he was traveling, he came upon a chariot. (Show a picture of a chariot or use a wagon as a prop.) Inside the chariot was a man from the country Ethiopia. Say Ethiopia with me. He was a wealthy man who worked for the Queen of Ethiopia. (Pull out some gold coins.) He was trying to read a part of the Bible, but couldn t understand all of the words. (Show a scroll.) When Philip saw the chariot, the spirit of the Lord told him to go catch up to it. When Philip caught up with him, he could hear the man trying to read. He yelled into the chariot, Do you understand what you are reading? The chariot stopped and the Ethiopian told Philip that he 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 6 2

would like someone to teach him, so he could understand it better. So Philip got in the chariot and began to help him read. The Bible verse the Ethiopian was reading had been written many years before then. It said there would be a man who would be like a lamb who doesn t cry out when something bad happens to him. I wonder, who was a man who let others do mean things to him, because he was going to die for the sins of the world? That s right! Jesus! Philip used this verse to teach the man about Jesus. (Show the cross.) Philip told him the good news about Jesus going to the cross to take our sins away. The Ethiopian had never heard about Jesus before and was very excited! He was so excited that when the chariot got to some water, the Ethiopian said, I believe in Jesus. Why can t I be baptized right here? And, he was baptized by Philip. (Spray water over the kids.) He wanted to hurry home to Ethiopia so he could tell others the others the good news about Jesus! Remember: *WHY AM I HERE? We are here to tell others about Jesus. Action Zones: (20-30 minutes) Purpose: Children move at their leisure to the activities according to their interest. Adults are assigned to oversee each of the zones watching for safety, assisting any activity, and helping the children connect to the lesson of the day. All zones are introduced at the beginning of Zone Time. Some suggested zones are included below. It is usually best to have all children go to the Snack Zone first. Sing a blessing song or say a snack prayer together before dismissing to the zones. During the Zone Time, children may arrive from mid-service dismissal if this is an option at your church. Be prepared to welcome the children and invite them to choose a zone. Snack Zone: Have each child spread some colored butter on a piece of bread. This is like spreading the good news. Provide alphabet cereal and have them use the letters to write the good news on their bread. Apple sauce, or apple butter, also would spread well on the bread for this activity. Drama Zone: Provide costumes and a wagon or a box with chairs to make a chariot and recreate the scene. Coloring Zone: Color Why am I Here? We are Here to Tell Others About Jesus coloring page. 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 6 3

Puppet Zone: Kids use the puppets to have one puppet ask questions about who Jesus is and what he did. Another puppet can answer the questions. Felt Zone: Use felt board materials to tell the story of Phillip preaching to the Ethiopian. (Materials can be found for this story in Betty Lukens Through the Bible in Felt, 1996, Betty Lukens, Inc.) Craft Zone: Provide a cross cut out of cardstock (or a sheet of cardstock with a cross outline). Have old newspapers and ads cut into small squares. With a glue stick, have the children paste the newspaper pieces onto the cross as a mosaic or collage. Place a pre-made label on top of the newspaper cross saying Jesus is the Good News. Play Zone: Hold chariot races. Mark start and finish lines on the floor with tape and hold relay races. Pair together children of similar size to pull another child on a blanket or sleeping bag. Have teams race against each other. Quiet Reading Zone: Beginners Bible or picture book so children can start reading about the good news of Jesus. Music Zone: Listen to a tape of Kid s worship music. Let kids identify words that tell good news about Jesus, or good news about what God can do for us! Closing Worship: (20 minutes) Purpose: As you empty the zones and clean up, begin the music so the children can start wandering over. Worship Songs: Choose one or two songs and list them here. Bible Application with Puppet Presentation: Purpose: The puppet demonstrates the need that will be met in today s lesson. The scripts are not written verbatim, but give a story line in which the group leader can interact with the puppet. 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 6 4

Sammy comes onto stage with a suitcase. He is very excited and has good news! His good news is that he is going on vacation. His whole family is going on vacation together and he can t wait! The large group presenter is very happy for him. The large group presenter has some good news, too! A friend of his was having a birthday and he gets to go celebrate at a party later that day. Sammy thought that that was pretty good news, too! The large group presenter asks the children if they can think of a time when they ve had good news to share. Maybe a new baby in the family? Or a birthday or vacation? Or learning to tie your shoe for the first time? Or learning how to spell your name? (Let kids share any good news they can think of.) The large group presenter thinks that all of those things are great news. But he asks the kids if they know the very best news of all. The very best news of all is Jesus. God loves us so much that he sent his very own son, Jesus, down to earth. He had to die on the cross in order to save our sins. So he did. He died and rose again so that you and I could be special friends with God in heaven forever! Isn t that the best news? We should tell everyone we know about the good news of Jesus. Remember: *WHY AM I HERE? We are here to tell others about Jesus. Prayer Time: Purpose: Allow children to contribute their own prayers. This will teach them to turn to God in both good times and in times of trouble. End with the Lord s Prayer. Children Pray Options: (select one from the options below) Prayer Train Option: Children line up and take turns stepping in front of the microphone and speak their brief prayers of thanksgiving. Prayer Chair: Children stand in a circle around one child sitting on a chair in the middle. All children in the circle will lay a hand on the child sitting in the chair as they say a prayer together. Popcorn Prayer: The leader moves through the crowd with a microphone and taps children on the head to stand and speak their prayer. Lord s Prayer: Lead the children through the Lord s Prayer, phrase by phrase, or let them pray the entire Prayer along with you. 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 6 5

Blessing: May God, who is all around you, pour his love upon you. And Jesus, his life a sacrifice, walk right there beside you. (slowly make large circle with hands) (slowly make a large sign of the cross) And may God s Holy Spirit, (hold hands over heart through last line ) the one who lives inside you, keep you steadfast, comfort, lead and guide you! (open arms wide) Song of Sending: Choose one song and list it here. Closing Zones: Purpose: Children go to an activity zone such as, the coloring zone, quiet reading zone, and children s Christian music video zone, as they wait for their parents. 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 6 6

God Talk At Home Ages 4-5-K This Week s Lesson: Evangelism: We Are Here to Tell Others About Jesus Take Home Point: (Parents Say): Why am I here? (Kids Say): We are here to tell others about Jesus Drive Time Home Parents, ask me what I did today in Kingdom Quest: Participated in a Bible event about Philip and the Ethiopian. Ate M&M s and learned how to use M&M s to tell others about Jesus. Played Pass the Scroll Relay as a reminder to pass on the good news of Jesus to others. Drive Time Home Parents, ask me what I did today in Kids Church: Learned about how Philip told the Ethiopian man about Jesus in a lesson from The Traveler Made a Spread the Good News snack Made a newspaper cross as a way to Tell the Good News about Jesus. FAMILY DEVOTIONS: READ THE BIBLE EVENT OR READ THE BIBLE VERSE: Philip and the Ethiopian from an early reading Bible, or read and summarize the event from Acts 8:26-40. JESUS LINK: We tell others that Jesus died for everyone. TALK ABOUT IT: How did Philip help the Ethiopian? What important job does God have for us to do? How can we tell others about Jesus? PRAYER POWER: Ask God to help you tell others about Jesus. FAMILY TIME OPTIONS: Purchase some inexpensive Bible stickers and help your child give them away to some friends with the message, Jesus loves you and so do I! Discuss with your child the special way to share Jesus using M&M candies. They might have the poem in a baggie of M&M s. If so, why not make more such bags to give away, by duplicating the project at home? 40 Days of Purpose Lesson 6

SUPPLY LIST Why Am I Here? Series Lesson 1 Welcome Zone: blocks, toys, puzzles, paper, and crayons The Beginners Bible: The Story of Creation, Sony Music Entertainment, Inc. and Time-Life Video and Television** Opening Worship: five boxes of various sizes, with lids five colors of butcher or wrapping paper five corresponding colors of construction paper cut into small squares (tickets) heart shaped pillow or picture several dolls to form a family lump of clay band-aid evangelistic video, like Treasures From Heaven: The Animated Stories from the New Testament, Nest Masters Inc., 1991** Action Zones: Snack Zone: licorice whips small raisins, M & M s or Skittles Drama Zone: occupational costumes Coloring Zone: color God Made Me for a Purposes coloring page Video Zone: Treasures From Heaven: The Animated Stories from the New Testament, Nest Masters Inc., 1991** Craft Zone: path template (see attached) crayons glue glitter pre-made stickers (Avery 5160) that say, God Made Me For His Purposes Follow God s Path 40 Days of Purpose Supply List 1 www.kidskountpublishing.com Copyright 2003 by Kids Kount Publishing, Omaha, NE 68137.