Beginner Teacher Guide February 2018 Table of Contents
Lesson Warm Up Story Activity Page February 4 Actions Speak Louder Than Words (based on James 2: 14-26) Play the Matching Game Adventures of the Faithful Five Episode 10: Jahari Welcomes a New Make a faith poster 3 February 11 Watch Your Tongue (based on James 3: 1-12) February 18 Doing for Others (based on Acts 9: 36-43) February 25 The Way to Go (based on 1 Timothy 6: 11-21) Act out scenarios when fire is useful and when fire is destructive Watch the All About Kindness video Sing Jesus Loves Me Neighbor Adventures of the Faithful Five Episode 11: God Hears Everything We Say Adventures of the Faithful Five Episode 12: A Visit with Mekhai s Grandma Adventures of the Faithful Five Episode 13: The Best Play Date Ever Make a tongue filled with blessings Make a kindness rock Make Be Like Jesus bracelets 5 6 8 Appendices Title Page Appendix A Matching Game Flashcards 11 Appendix B Tongue Pattern 12 Appendix C Lesson 12 Key Verse Stickers 13 2 P a g e
Lesson 10 February 4, 2018 James 2:14-26 Actions Speak Louder than Words Get Excited! Below are the instructions for the warm-up activity Play the Matching Game. Print three copies of the Matching Game Flashcards in Appendix B on cardstock paper and cut them out. Divide the class into three groups. Give each group one set of shuffled cards. Ask the groups to match the cards. Ask each group to select a pair and share how one item is useless without the other item. Emphasize how faith and works are paired together in the same way. (Correct matches: laptop pairs with girl programmers, surfboards pair with ocean wave, cars pair with gas pump.) Scripture Summary A servant of God named James wrote a letter to all of God s people. In this part of the letter he explained how faith is shown in words and actions. It is not enough to say you have faith in God. You must also show faith by doing good things for others. Key Verse Ask students to repeat the key verse after you. Be sure to say the verse in short phrases so it is easy for students to remember and repeat. Suggested phrases are segmented below. James 2:26 Faith without works is dead. Read and Learn! Read Adventures of the Faithful Five: Episode 10 aloud. Review key words. Today was Saturday but Jahari woke up early like it was a school day because this is the day his father promised to take him and the rest of the Faithful Five to the indoor water park. Even though Jahari knew he should be doing this, he could not resist jumping on his bed because he was so excited. While he jumped Jahari chanted, Oh yeah it s Saturday! Oh yeah it s Saturday! Gonna have some fun! Gonna have some fun! Jahari s mother heard the bounce of the bedsprings and in a firm motherly voice said, Jay please stop jumping on your bed. Jahari was obedient. He stopped jumping at once and replied, Okay mom. Sorry. Just then, Jahari heard the sound of a truck so he ran to his window to see what kind of truck it was. The truck was a moving truck. A new family was moving into the house next door. Jahari noticed the family had a little boy that seemed to be close to his age. Jahari also thought the family was from a country in Africa. He saw a flag sticking out the corner of a box and he knew the flag was for Ghana. Jahari ran down the hall to knock on his parents bedroom door. After getting permission to enter the room, he told his parents about the new neighbors and asked if he could introduce himself to the new boy and invite him to go to the indoor water park. Jahari s mother said, Jay that is a very nice thing to do. Jahari s father agreed by saying, We have space in the van to fit one more person. After we get 3 P a g e
dressed and eat breakfast, I will go with you to ask his parents if he can spend the day with us. Jahari replied, Thanks mom. Thanks dad. I ll go get ready. After breakfast, Jahari and his father went next door to introduce themselves. They found out the family was from Ghana. Jahari was right! The little boy s name was Kofi. Kofi s parents allowed him to go with Jahari to the indoor water park. Jahari introduced Kofi to the rest of the Faithful Five when they arrived at Jahari s house. They all played together while Jahari s parents were packing snacks for the ride to the indoor water park. It was going to be a two-hour ride. Kofi said to the Faithful Five, I am having so much fun. Thanks for being nice to me. The Faithful Five looked at each other, then smiled at Kofi and said, Welcome to the neighborhood! Rise Up! Answers to questions in What Do You Think are underlined. What are the two ways faith is shown? words and actions Which action of Jahari showed faith? Jahari was friendly to his new neighbor and invited him to have fun with the Faithful Five. Complete the Superhero Challenge if time permits. Draw the table below on flip chart paper. Tell students the Faithful Five need helpful hints to know when it is the right time to think about something, the right time to say something, and the right time to do something. Write their suggestions in the table. I should think I should talk I should act... Below are the instructions for the Time to Create activity Make a Faith Poster. Materials needed: Large white paper (one for each group); paint, markers or crayons; glitter glue; newspaper (if paint is used or markers will bleed through the paper) Instructions: Watch Faith Through the Eyes of a Child (https://youtu.be/csxdywe0tje). Divide the class into groups of 3. Give each group a set of materials. Ask students to design a poster about faith and works. Encourage students to be creative. Display the posters in the classroom. Close the lesson with prayer. Lord, help me to show my faith by doing good things for others. Amen. 4 P a g e
Lesson 11 February 11, 2018 James 3: 1-12 Watch Your Tongue! Get Excited! Below are the instructions for the warm-up activity Play Charades. Come up with a few scenarios when fire is useful (like for cooking) and when fire is destructive (like a forest fire). Select students to act out the scenario so the class can guess whether the fire in the situation is useful or destructive. Emphasize how the tongue can be like a fire. Scripture Summary A servant of God named James wrote a letter to all of God s people. In this part of the letter he explained how we should control the things we say. Once words are said, they cannot be called back. We often let nice things and hurtful things come from the same mouth. Christians should watch their mouths. Key Verse Ask students to repeat the key verse after you. Be sure to say the verse in short phrases so it is easy for students to remember and repeat. Suggested phrases are segmented below. James 3:8 No one can tame the tongue. Read and Learn! Read Adventures of the Faithful Five: Episode 11 aloud. Review key words. Adventures of the Faithful Five Episode 11: God Hears Everything We Say Ashanti, Zakiyah and Nevaeh were having a good time at Sophia s birthday party. Sophia invited them because they were in her class at school. Everyone, well almost everyone, was waiting their turn in line to hit the piñata. Two girls, Peyton and Desirae were impatient so they decided to bust the line. Peyton and Desirae were always starting trouble at school but Sophia still invited them to her party because she did not want them to feel left out. Nevaeh shouted out, Why can t you wait your turn like everyone else? We re all going to get a chance! Ashanti added, You re not playing fairly. Peyton teased Ashanti by making fun of what she said. You re not playing fairly. You always try to sound like the teacher. Why don t you just mind your business. We don t feel like waiting. Ashanti responded, My mind is my business! Before Peyton and Ashanti made another exchange of words, Sophia s mother walked over to the two of them and said, One of my house rules is to use kind words. I don t like the way the two of you are speaking to each other. Peyton and Desirae please go to the back of the line and wait your turn. Peyton and Desirae were obedient and went to the back of the line. Nevaeh and Ashanti apologized to Sophia s mother for not showing their best behavior. Sophia s mother explained, Nevaeh and Ashanti you were not wrong for asking Peyton and Desirae to do the right thing. But you can still speak kindly and respectfully even when you disagree with someone. Nevaeh and Ashanti know God hears everything we say so they shook their heads in agreement to show they understood what Sophia s mother was 5 P a g e
saying. Then they ran to the middle of the floor because Sophia broke open the piñata that was full of toys and treats. Rise Up! Answers to questions in What Do You Think are underlined. What did James explain in this part of his letter to God s people? James explained how we should control the things we say. Did Sophia s mother think Ashanti and Nevaeh were wrong for their actions? No, but she told them they should still speak kindly and respectfully even in situations of conflict. Complete the Superhero Challenge if time permits. Tell students the Faithful Five know sometimes people misuse the first amendment right of free speech to say whatever they want, whenever they want. Help the Faithful Five come up with boundaries for their freedom of speech so they remember to speak with kind and respectful words in all situations. Below are the instructions for the Time to Create activity Make a Tongue Filled with Blessings. Materials needed: Copies of Tongue Pattern in Appendix B, pens or pencils Instructions: Tell students to write kind words in the tongue on the emoji. You may need to write the words first with a highlighter so students can trace them. Close the lesson with prayer. Lord, I know you hear everything I say. Help me control my tongue. Amen. Lesson 12 February 18, 2018 Acts 9: 36-43 Doing for Others Get Excited! Below are the instructions for the warm-up activity Watch All About Kindness. Watch the All About Kindness video on YouTube (https://youtu.be/1ylg1npua0k). Then ask students to share how they show kindness. Limit the discussion to 3 minutes. Scripture Summary There was a follower of Jesus named Dorcas who was always doing good and helping the poor. Dorcas became sick and died. Paul was in the city Lydda that was near the city of Joppa where Dorcas lived. 6 P a g e
Peter was asked to come to Joppa because the people believed he could raise Dorcas from the dead. When Peter arrived in Joppa, he asked everyone to leave the room where Dorcas body was laid. Then he kneeled and prayed and asked Dorcas to stand up. She opened her eyes and sat up. Then many people in Joppa believed in the Lord. Key Verse Ask students to repeat the key verse after you. Be sure to say the verse in short phrases so it is easy for students to remember and repeat. Suggested phrases are segmented below. Acts 9:36 [Dorcas] was devoted to good works and acts of charity. Read and Learn! Read Adventures of the Faithful Five: Episode 12 aloud. Review key words. Adventures of the Faithful Five Episode 12: A Visit with Mekhai s Grandma Mekhai s grandmother lives at Serenity Gardens. Serenity Gardens is a nice place for seniors that need special care. Mekhai goes to visit his grandmother every Sunday after church. He likes to give her the church bulletin and tell her everything that happened in the worship service. That always made her happy because she cannot attend church that much anymore. This week at choir rehearsal, Miss Grace, the choir director, asked the children to come up with ideas for things they could do for seniors in the church. Mekhai raised his hand right away to ask a question. Miss Grace can the senior be someone can t really come to church anymore or does the senior have to be someone who still comes to church? Miss Grace responded, That s a very good question Mekhai. It is thoughtful of you to remember seniors who are not able to attend church. We can include any senior. Mekhai s face lit up with so much joy. Then can we sing for my grandma at Serenity Gardens! he exclaimed. Grandma loves the songs you taught us for Black History Month. Miss Grace smiled at Mekhai and said, Yes we can. Your grandmother always did whatever she could to help others in this church and the community. The following Saturday, Miss Grace took the children s choir to Serenity Gardens to sing for Mekhai s grandmother and the other seniors living there. Mekhai s grandma was pleasantly surprised by the visit. Mekhai did not tell her they were coming. When the choir finished singing, Mekhai ran up to his grandmother, gave her a big hug and kiss and said, Grandma we wanted to do something special for you because you have done so much to help others. We love you very much. With a tear of joy running down her cheek, Mekhai s grandmother responded, I love you all too. Rise Up! Answers to questions in What Do You Think are underlined. What made Dorcas special to the people in Joppa? She was always doing good and helping the poor. Why did Miss Grace think Mekhai was thoughtful? He remembered the seniors on the sick and shut-in list. Complete the Superhero Challenge if time permits. Tell students the Faithful Five want to do something helpful for the seniors in their church and community. Help them by planning a service project for the seniors in your church and community. 7 P a g e
Below are the instructions for the Time to Create activity Make a Kindness Rock. Materials needed: Rock art kit (from any craft store or Five Below), thin paint brushes, paint, cups of water, newspaper, paper plates, plastic table cloths, yarn Instructions: Use the newspaper to cover tables and floors. Cut the plastic table cloth in large rectangles to make aprons for the students. Use yarn to hang the apron on the student. The apron does not have to be fancy. It just needs to protect students clothing. Put a small dab of various colors of paint on paper plates to create a paint palette for each student. Give each student a paintbrush, rock and cup of water. Ask students to design a rock with a positive word. (Optional: Write examples of positive words like imagine, dream, love, inspire, fun, faith, smile, grow, pray, etc.) Allow the rocks to dry. When the rocks are dry, tell students to place the rocks in random places outside like on the playground, at the bus stop, or in their front yard. Close the lesson with prayer. Lord, I know that when I serve others, I serve you. Help me to be a good servant. Amen. Lesson 13 February 25, 2018 1 Timothy 6: 11-21 The Way to Go Get Excited! Below are the instructions for the warm-up activity Sing Jesus Loves Me Teach students the lyrics to the song if necessary. Jesus loves me this I know For the bible tells me so Little ones to him belong They are weak but he is strong Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. For the bible tells me so. 8 P a g e
Scripture Summary This is part of the first letter the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy. He reminded Timothy to try to live the right way, to serve God, and to do good deeds for others to show his faith in Jesus. Key Verse Ask students to repeat the key verse after you. Be sure to say the verse in short phrases so it is easy for students to remember and repeat. Suggested phrases are segmented below. 1 Timothy 6:18 Do good, be rich in good works, and share. Read and Learn! Read Adventures of the Faithful Five: Episode 13 aloud. Review key words. Adventures of the Faithful Five Episode 13: The Best Play Date Ever Come on Nevaeh. It s time to go, called out Nevaeh s mother. Okay mom. Coming! Nevaeh respectfully answered. Nevaeh and the rest of the Faithful Five signed up to participate in their school s service project. Today there were going to the homeless shelter s Family Day. Each student at the school donated a movie, game or toy from their personal collection. The purpose of the project was to teach children how to share with others in need. Nevaeh gave up her favorite movie, Frozen. Ashanti donated her Doc McStuffins playset. Jahari decided to share one of his Transformers action figures. Zakiyah gave up her soccer ball and Mekhai donated his Monopoly Jr game. Nevaeh and her mother arrived at the Family Day event the same time as the rest of the Faithful Five families. From the looks of things, Family Day was going to be more fun than they anticipated. There was a Moon Bounce, a video game truck, a popcorn machine, and an awesome playground with a merry go round, see saw, swings and jungle gym. Some of the Faithful Five s classmates were already playing with the children from the shelter. Come on guys! Let s go play! shouted Akeem with excitement. Nevaeh said, We have to ask permission first. Oh yeah, replied Akeem. Dad is it okay to go play? Akeem s father looked at the rest of the parents for to make sure they all agreed and said, Yes son. It is okay for all of you to go play. Y-aaaaaay! the Faithful Five cheered as they ran toward the Moon Bounce. All of the children played nicely together for three hours. When it was time to go home, Nevaeh s mother asked the Faithful Five how they felt about sharing their time and toys with others in need. Nevaeh responded for the group and said, Mom this was the best play date ever! Sharing is a good thing. Rise Up! Answers to questions in What Do You Think are underlined. What did Paul tell Timothy in this letter? To try to live the right way, serve God and do good deeds How did the Faithful Five share with others? They shared their time and toys with others in need. Complete the Superhero Challenge if time permits. Come up with a few scenarios where students have to make a decision over the best thing to do. Tell students the Faithful Five know the best way to show godly characteristics is to do what Jesus would do in every situation. Share a scenario and ask the students to advise the Faithful Five on how the situation should end in a way that pleases Jesus. 9 P a g e
Below are the instructions for the Time to Create activity Make a Be Like Jesus bracelet Materials needed: DIY slap bracelets (from Oriental Trading), crayons or markers Instructions: Allow students to decorate their bracelets words that remind them to be like Jesus. Close the lesson with prayer. Lord, I know everything belongs to you. Help me to share with others without complaining. Amen. 10 P a g e
Appendix A Matching Game Flashcards 11 P a g e
Appendix B Tongue Pattern 12 P a g e
Appendix C Lesson 12 Key Verse Stickers 13 P a g e