May 1, 2016 Bible Passage: Matthew 8:5 13 (Faith of a Centurion) Jesus Is God, Part I REMEMBER VERSE May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant. Psalm 119:76 Schedule Welcome Explore Rotations: Discover & Connect & Enjoy Bless 1
Inspire When my son was an infant, our church asked us to participate in a live Christmas nativity. If we were willing, our little boy would play the part of baby Jesus. When we agreed, my four-year-old daughter became fascinated with her brother s role in the production. As she sat in on the rehearsals, she began to connect for the first time with what it meant for Jesus to have been born human. She held her brother s hand and asked me if Jesus mother held His. She held her brother in her arms and watched him sleep, then asked me if Jesus did the same. When the day of the nativity came and my son fussed and cried, my daughter found it hilarious. The idea of baby Jesus crying was something she found very humorous. While she giggled, I explained to her that of course baby Jesus cried, because He was human, just like our baby. Later that week, my daughter had another series of questions for me: Did Jesus wear diapers like our baby? Did Jesus smile like our baby? Did Jesus eat food just like our baby? Her next question took me a little by surprise: Mommy, can our baby walk on water like Jesus? I stopped myself from chuckling at her inquiry. No, sweetie, I said as I smiled. It was clear that while she was very interested in the fact that Jesus was a man, there was something else she needed to know. In His decision to come to earth, He made it possible for us to know Him through the life He lived. His uniqueness comes from the fact that while He felt everything we feel, He is capable of more than we can imagine. He knows our struggles, our fears, and even our happiness. Jesus isn t just a man. Jesus is God. Alyson Crockett City Church Equip Jesus is God. He inspires faith from those who encounter Him. Yet He was born into a cold, cruel, and unbelieving world. Rome was ruling over Judea and governed with an iron fist. Brutal soldiers were used to enforce the will of the Roman government. Although Roman centurions were typically men to be feared, oftentimes in the Bible they re portrayed in a positive manner. It seems these powerful men were somehow able to recognize great power and authority in others and thus treat them with the respect they were due. This was certainly the case in Matthew 8:5 13. Some Jewish elders approached Jesus on behalf of a centurion, imploring Him to come and heal the man s servant. We learn in the parallel passage in Luke 7 that the centurion was so humble he didn t even consider himself worthy to appear before Jesus, or to have Jesus visit his house. The centurion simply believed that Jesus could give the command and things would happen. So he made an appeal of Jesus: Just say the word, and my servant will be healed (Matthew 8:8). This demonstration of faith was unlike any Jesus had seen in Israel. It s clear the centurion knew who Jesus was. He recognized that Jesus had authority over disease and illness. God alone has power over sickness and death. The centurion knew that Jesus was indeed God, and there would be no need for God to travel anywhere to make something happen. All He would have to do is speak, and it would be so. Jesus commended the centurion s display of pure faith and rewarded him by healing his servant. 2
Portrait of a Roman Soldier The typical image of the Roman soldier is one of terrifying power a tough and ruthless man. When one of these battle-tested soldiers rose up through the ranks to become a centurion, it was well-known that this man was the best of the best (or maybe even the worst of the worst ). In fact, it was a maxim that soldiers should fear their commanding officers more than the enemy. So much so that from time to time, in response to insubordination, an entire legion would be decimated, meaning 10 percent of a legion was randomly selected, beaten, and killed by members of their own unit. Support When Jesus Christ entered the world as a man, something incredible happened. The God of the universe humbled Himself to come to earth and offer us a relationship with Him. As we study God s Word, we learn more about the life of Christ. We re also offered a glimpse into the nature and character of God the Father. We can know God because we can know Jesus, and Jesus is God. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:1 5) This week, spend some time pondering John 1:1 5. What is this portion of Scripture saying? Who is it talking about? What does this mean to you for you? Meditate on one or two verses each day. As the week progresses, note how the meaning of this truth is affecting your life, your heart. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made (vs. 3). You have come into being through Him. You are known in the deepest way by the Holy God. May you walk in the peace and confidence of this truth. 3
Lesson Overview Follow the red times for 9:00 Service Follow the blue times for 11:30 Service Experience Time Summary Supplies/Prepare Explore:: (Homeroom) 9:00 11:30 ROTATIONS:: 9:10 9:53 Discover:: (Room 105) Exploration stations create space for children to engage in hands-on activities as they begin their time of worship. Coloring page --------------------------------------------------- Transition Song: The Cleanup Song Kids will rotate through stations as follows: 9:10 9:23 9:25 9:38 9:40 9:53 Butterflies Enjoy (110) Discover (105) Connect (104) Caterpillars Discover (105) Connect (104) Enjoy (110) Fireflies Connect (104) Enjoy (110) Discover (105) 11:45 Facilitate interactive games, songs, and storytelling, allowing children to participate in discovering God s Word and to create space for children to celebrate God together in worship through music. Welcome Bible TruBlessings Theme Song The Big God Story Storytelling Jacket Story Pockets: Song of Celebration Enjoy:: (Room 110) Connect:: (Room 104) 12:05 Enjoy building relationships with the kids during this time intended for a snack break, restrooms and free play or video clip. 12:15 Games, songs, manipulatives, sensory and art activities are used to help children reinforce what they experienced in Discover. snack connect blanket (every week for giving instructions and connecting before beginning the activity) Celebration Plates Bless:: (Homeroom) 9:55 12:25 Dismiss: 10:00 12:30 Read a blessing over the children that they may experience God fully. Be ready for parents to pick up kids Bible (for the blessing) 4
Explore Exploration stations create space for children to engage in hands-on activities as they begin their time of worship. This time is designed for all the children to explore activities set up around a table. There should be enough activities set up to involve all the children. If various options are listed you may want to have children rotate or float between options. Prepare children to move into a time of rotations where they can participate in discovering God s Word through storytelling, worship, and interactive experiences, as well as connect activities and a snack break. Roman Centurion Coloring Page Jesus healed the servant of a Roman centurion because of the officer s great faith. The man knew Jesus would be able to make his servant whole again. SUPPLIES (per small group) Coloring sheet of the Roman Centurion Transition Song: The Cleanup Song 5
Discover Upon entering the room, have each child choose a story spot and place it where they want to sit and then sit down. At the close of your time together in The Big God Story, encourage children to return their Story Spots to their original location. Ponder Point Jesus Is God, Part I WELCOME Hi, kids! Welcome! I am so excited to be here with you today. Let s all celebrate God by singing and dancing together! (Play the TruBlessings Theme Song and lead kids in dance and celebration.) Wow! That was great! Now everyone, take a seat it s time to hear part of The Big God Story! Let me put on my storytelling jacket and see if we can find a clue to our Big God Story in one of my pockets. Start checking pockets and pull out this week s clue. Story Jacket Storyteller/Host/Worship Leader Story Pocket: Soldier s Helmet The Roman centurion was powerful physically and politically. But when his servant became ill, all his worldly power was useless. The officer had heard of Jesus the Savior. While Jesus was on earth, He used miracles to reveal His deity to the world. The officer had faith that Jesus could heal his servant. Only He has the authority over illness, life, and death. Jesus is God. ASK What did you find in the Story Jacket? Children will answer. That s right, it s a helmet! Place helmet on volunteer s head. Who would wear a special helmet like this? Children answer. A soldier! That s right! Why would a soldier wear a helmet? Interact with responses. I wonder how this ties into this part of The Big God Story. Remove helmet and hold for use in The Big God Story. Let s find out. Do you know what time it is? It s time for Let s all stand up and sing our Bible Song together. Bible Song (sung to the tune of Mary Had a Little Lamb ) Now it s time to hear God s Word Hear God s Word Hear God s Word Now it s time to hear God s Word So let s look in the Bible As the song ends, have the children return to their Story Spots 6
The Big God Story Matthew 8:5 13 Storytelling Technique: Drawing 20 min PRAYER OF RELEASE The Prayer of Release is a time for children and leaders to pause, be still, and ask God to quiet their hearts and minds. If you d like, encourage kids to hold their open hands in front of them in a spirit of releasing their worries and distractions, to better receive what the Holy Spirit might have for them. After the children quiet their voices and still their bodies, ask them to pray with you. SUPPLIES Pictures for the storyteller: 1 soldier s helmet, 2 large army with the #100, 3 Jesus, 4 Sad Face, 5 Jesus talking to crowd, 6 Happy Face PREPARE AHEAD Print pictures for storyteller Welcome children. Friends, I m so excited to meet you today! Who remembers what we heard about last week in The Big God Story? Allow kids to answer. That s right. We learned about Jesus, and how He healed the son of a royal official without even seeing the son. Jesus is so awesome! He has the power to heal people because He is God. Before we go any further, let s stop and ask God to teach us. Lead the children in a Prayer of Release. Today we re going to hear about another miraculous healing from Jesus in The Big God Story. Around the same time, there was an officer in the Roman army who heard all about Jesus and the miracles He performed. Show picture of the soldiers helmet to wall. Why do soldiers wear helmets and armor? Children will answer. Yes, to keep them safe and protect them in battle. Who is stronger than armor, and is able to protect us better than a helmet or shield? Children answer. God, that s right. God is stronger than anyone or anything, and we can trust Him. As an officer, this Roman centurion was a very important person. He was in charge of more than 100 soldiers. Show picture of 100 and large roman army to wall. Can you count to 100 on your fingers? Count really fast on fingers. Whew, that s a lot of soldiers! The Roman centurion had a very big job. The centurions weren t always kind because they had to be so tough, but this man was different. He had heard of Jesus and had faith in God. Show Picture of Jesus. What is faith? Children will answer. Faith is when you know something to be true, and then you live out that truth with your actions.. The Roman centurion had a servant who was very sick and about to die. Show picture of sad face to wall. The officer cared for his servant and wanted him to be well again. Because the officer had faith, he knew Jesus could heal his servant without even seeing him in person. He knew Jesus is the only One who has the power to heal. Point to the picture representing Jesus. As powerful as this man was, he trusted in Jesus to do the healing. Have you ever been sick? Interact with children and their answers. Me too! It isn t fun being sick. When you aren t feeling well and are sick, who is it that you go to? Allow kids to answer. That s right! We find our mommies and daddies. Sometimes we re so sick we need to go to the doctor. Well, in The Big God 7
Story, the Roman soldier knew his servant needed to be healed. Point to the sad face. The servant was so sick that even a doctor couldn t help him. The Roman centurion asked some of the Jewish leaders he knew to go to Jesus and ask Him for help. Show picture of crowd with Jesus on the wall The officer stayed behind. He knew that Jesus is powerful and holy unlike anything or anyone else. He knew that Jesus is God and has the power to do anything He chooses to do! When the Jewish leaders went to Jesus, they begged Jesus for help. This man deserves to have you do this because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue. (Luke 7:4 5). So Jesus went with them to go and heal the Roman officer s servant. Before Jesus got to the officer s home, the officer sent more of his friends to stop Jesus with a message. Point to the drawing of the crowd talking to Jesus. The centurion said, Lord, don t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed (Luke 7:6 7). The Roman solider knew who Jesus is He is God! He knew that Jesus is holy, and that he was unworthy of having Jesus come to his house. But best of all, he knew Jesus didn t really need to come to his home to heal the servant. Jesus has the power to heal just by speaking words! Friends, who are some of the strongest people you know? Allow kids to answer; interact with their responses. Yes, these people can be very strong and powerful. But no one is more powerful than Jesus because He is God! He is so powerful that all He has to do is use His words and things happen. God used His words to make the world. He used His words to make you and me, and He used His words to heal the Roman centurion s servant. By the time the Roman officer s friends returned to the house, the servant had been healed! Show picture of Happy face on the wall. The Roman officer knew that Jesus is God. Because He is God, He has the power to heal the sick. There s nothing more important than knowing God. Even the strong and important Roman officer knew that Jesus is God, and that was whose power he needed. God made the earth, and each and every one of us. He is also the same God who came to earth as Jesus, so we could know Him and be with Him forever. Jesus knows you and is the way for you to know God and be with Him forever! Do you know that Jesus not only has power over people but over nature too? The next time we re together, we ll see how Jesus uses big waves and a wild storm to help His friends have greater faith. Jesus is God! 8
Connect Games, songs, manipulatives, sensory and art activities are used to help children reinforce what they experience in DISCOVER. Use the connect blanket as a gathering place to give instructions and build relationships with the kids during times of question/answer discussion, sharing of experience, or prayer. Children reflect on what the Holy Spirit has taught them and respond to God individually and corporately, through activities and creative response. Create: Let s Celebrate! SUPPLIES Streamers or ribbon (2 3 per child) Paper plate, one per child Tape PREPARE AHEAD Cut streamers or ribbons. Print Jesus is God stickers in color. SET UP Place the crayons, markers, or colored pencils on the table. Sticker that says Jesus is God Crayons, markers, or colored pencils RELATE In today s part of The Big God Story, the centurion knew that Jesus is God. The man trusted Jesus to heal his servant. Jesus healed the man s servant without even seeing him. The centurion probably celebrated after his servant was healed. We re going to celebrate too! Friends, We are going to make celebration plates. You can color and decorate your plate however you want. You will put on of the stickers Jesus is God on the plate somewhere and when you are finished decorating your plate you can tape some streamers on the edge. Make sure you put your name on your plate somewhere so you can take it home with you. When we go back class we will use our plates to sing and worship to Jesus who is God. We will praise Him for His greatness just like the Royal centurion and his family did after his servant was healed! God is good and we are so thankful that he loves us!. Jesus Is God! As you work on your plates I will be asking you some wonder questions. I wonder How did the centurion feel asking Jesus to help his servant? I wonder How would I feel walking up to Jesus in a crowd and asking Him for help? I wonder How did I feel when I heard about Jesus healing the centurion s servant? I wonder What do I have faith that Jesus can heal in my life? I wonder How does it make me feel to know that Jesus is God? 9
Preschool 3.9 Enjoy Enjoy building relationships with the kids during this time intended for a snack break, restrooms and free play or video clip. Ensure that each child: Receives a small snack/drink Uses the restroom Has a little time to play and build friendships with you and the other children REMEMBER VERSE May your unfailing love be my comfort according to your promise to your servant. Psalm 119:76 Remember Verse Definitions Unfailing: Never stops. Remember Verse Motions May your: Point left index finger to the sky. unfailing love: Create a heart using both hands, by placing the thumbs down together and curling other fingers together for the top arch of the heart. be my comfort: Hug self. according to your promise: Place right index finger at lips and open left palm. Move right hand away from lips and make a fist. Place fist into middle of open left palm. to your servant: Palms facing up, in front of body. Slide one hand forward and then slide the other hand forward. 10
Preschool 3.9 Bless This time is set aside for leaders to spend a few moments blessing the children. A blessing can be a prayer of commission, a portion of Scripture, or words of encouragement and guidance. We can offer a blessing in order to ask God s Spirit to overflow from the child s life in such a way that blesses others, while we can also pray a blessing over a child for the purpose of declaring God s protection, joy, or wisdom. Have the children place their hands out in front of themselves palms up. This is a posture that demonstrates an expectancy in receiving what God has for them. Close your time with a prayer of blessing over the children. RELATE For the BLESS time this week, line up your small group. Friends, for today s blessing, I need your help! I m going to start by saying, May you shout to the Lord with gladness and you get to shout, Jesus is God! after my line. Repeat the call and response a few times together before reading this blessing taken from Psalm 100:1. Children, Jesus is God. May you shout to the Lord with gladness this week. HomeFront Weekly is provided as a parent resource with each week s lesson (see Resources) and can be emailed out or printed and distributed. This preteaching tool encourages families to spend time in God s Word together before children arrive at church. The best part is that parents are first to introduce their kids to the Bible content they ll hear at church. In this way, the church is supporting families as they spiritually nurture their children. 11