God s Unfolding Story - PDF Free Download

Bible Story: God Guided Abraham (Genesis 12:1-9) Bible Phrase: Abraham obeyed God (Genesis 12:4). Bible Truth: Abraham chose to obey God; I can choose to obey God. Old Testament Unit 3: Abraham Lesson 1: God Guided Abraham God s Unfolding Story 1. God created everything. 2. People disobeyed God. 3. God chose a special people. 4. God sent Jesus to help us. 5. Jesus began the Church. 6. Jesus is preparing heaven for us. Suggested Schedule: Arrival Centers 25 minutes Clean-up Time 5 minutes Bible Story Time 15 minutes Craft Time 10 minutes Snack Time 10 minutes Game Time/Dismissal Hour A Unfolding God s Story for Teachers Please read Genesis 12:1-9. The region of ancient Mesopotamia is the setting for this week s story. The Old Babylonian civilization was at its peak culturally and politically. This was a time and place of elaborate cities, great arts, culture, and well-established legal and religious systems. Out of this advanced society God called a man named Abram. God later named him Abraham, which is what we will call him for simplicity in teaching preschoolers. We are not told how the call was relayed; there is no indication of a dream, vision, or visible encounter. The Bible simply states, The LORD said to Abram (Gen. 12:1). It is important to note that Abram lived in a culture of idolatry, yet he heard the One True God speak, and he obeyed. Why did God call Abram? Before creation God knew that a plan of redemption would be necessary. Abram s call was part of that plan. Just as creation began with God s spoken word, His plan of redemption also was initiated by His voice. God would reveal Himself and His plan through a special nation of people. Abram became the father of that nation. Still, Abram could have chosen to ignore God s voice. Abram chose faith. This was not an easy choice. Staying with your clan was essential for security, identity, and well-being. God needed Abram to pull away from his own heritage and begin a completely new one. God entered into a covenant relationship with Abram, and when God called him to personal sacrifice He also blessed him. Abram s call came with a promise. He would receive descendants, honor, land, and blessings. God s promise fueled Abram s faith mission as he left heritage and culture behind to set out as a seminomad for the place God would show him. Abram had a purpose. God would use this senior adult to establish a channel of bringing not only God s blessings to the world, but also redemption through His Son, the seed of Genesis 3:15. Surely as the grip of home loosened, God s grip on Abram grew stronger. Perhaps he had moments of doubt, but when Abram came to the land of Canaan, God reminded him of His promise, I will give this land to your offspring (Gen. 12:7). Abram set up an altar to worship the Lord. He and his family moved on and settled between Bethel and Ai, where he built another altar and worshiped God once more. One cannot read the story of Abram without reflecting on God s call in our own lives. God also asks us to leave behind that which has a hold on our lives and to step out in faith to a new life that He will show us. We also are called to be channels of God s blessing and hope. We must let go of what is seen and hold on to what is unseen. That is faith. Lesson Plan Arrival Greet children at eye level and express how happy you are to see them. Be sure each child has a name tag and the security measures of your church are followed. Label all coats and personal belongings. Strongly encourage children who have brought items from home, such as toys and books, to place them on a shelf while they are working with other materials. Assure children their items will be safe and they can take them home at the end of the session. Help each child make a choice where he or she would like to begin his or her Center Time. God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2013 - SundaySchoolZone.com OT03 Lesson 1 Hour A Page 1

Puzzle Center: Work Puzzles Offer a variety of non-fantasy wooden or cardboard puzzles for the children to work. What to Do: Encourage each child to finish a puzzle before leaving the center. Offer guidance rather than working the puzzle for the child. Link to the Bible Story: As children work, take advantage of opportunities to say the Bible Phrase or to briefly tell the Bible story. Home Living Center: Role Play Small rocking chair, sink and stove unit, small table and chairs; plastic dishes, child pots and pans, plastic food items; and doll items such as baby doll, doll bed, doll bag, blanket, clothes, bottles, and diapers. What to Do: Home living items will encourage children to role play home activities such as cooking, cleaning, and caring for the baby. Link to the Bible Story: As children play, look for opportunities to engage in conversation about the Bible story, Bible Phrase, or Bible truth. Center Time Art Center: Crayons Bundles White construction paper (1 sheet per child) Crayons, rubber bands What to Do: Print today s Bible Phrase on each paper. Bundle three different colors of crayons and secure them with a rubber band. Make up 7 or 8 different crayon bundles. Invite children to choose a set of crayons and to move the bundles across their papers to make swirls and designs. Link to the Bible Story: As children work, say today s Bible Phrase, Abraham obeyed God (Genesis 12:4). Comment that in today s Bible story a man named Abraham moved far away from his home. Bible Learning Center: What Does Not Belong? Copies of Activity Page: What Does Not Belong? (Reproducible) Crayons or washable markers What to Do: Invite each child to use a crayon or marker to circle the object in each group that does not belong with that group of objects. Link to the Bible Story: As children work on the activity, express that these pictures are objects from the Bible story. Tell children that God asked a man named Abraham to move to another country. Comment that Abraham obeyed, and these are things they may have packed for their trip. Block Center: Build with Blocks Wooden blocks Plastic animals What to Do: Provide a small carpet if possible. Blocks are best located in a corner of the room away from the traffic flow. Link to the Bible Story: As children build, listen for opportunities to share the Bible Phrase or to tell a part of the Bible story. God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2013 - SundaySchoolZone.com OT03 Lesson 1 Hour A Page 2

Clean-up Time Encourage preschoolers to help at clean-up time. Assign specific tasks for preschoolers to do such as placing all the crayons in the basket, throwing away the trash, gathering all the glue sticks, etc. Guide children to the Bible Story Time area. Bible Story Time Bible Teaching Picture, God Guided Abraham (Reproducible) God s Unfolding Story Cube (Reproducible/Cardstock) Introduction Show the God s Unfolding Story Cube. Express to the boys and girls that even though there are many stories in the Bible and all of them are true, there is one overall story we can call God s Unfolding Story. Tell children that each picture on the cube represents a part of God s Unfolding Story. Turn the cube and talk about each point in the story. (Refer to page 1.) Express that every story in the Bible is from one of these main points in God s Unfolding Story. Today s story is from the third point; God Chose a Special People. Express the following in your own words. Have you ever moved to a new house or another town? How did you feel about moving? Our Bible story today is about a man named Abraham. God asked Abraham to move to another land far away from his home. Listen to hear if Abraham obeyed God. Bible Story God Guided Abraham (Genesis 12:1-9) Long ago, God spoke to a man named Abraham and said, I want you to take your family and move to a new land that I will show you. I will bless you in your new land. At that time Abraham lived with his wife Sarah and his nephew Lot. Abraham had many sheep, cattle, goats, and camels. Abraham also had lots of helpers to take care of all the animals, and they had families of their own. It would be hard to leave the place where they had lived for many years. They would have to leave other family members and friends behind but Abraham chose to obey God and move. Abraham, Sarah, and their helpers got busy packing. They packed food, water, clothes, tents, and other things they would need in their new land. They probably used camels and wagons to carry their supplies. It must have been hard work getting everything packed, but finally they were ready to go. Abraham, his family and helpers, along with all the animals, began their trip. Each day they walked a little farther, and each day God took care of them and showed them the way to go. One day, after many weeks of traveling, God told Abraham, You have reached your new home. Abraham and his family were so glad to be where God wanted them! Abraham built a special place where he and his family worshiped and thanked God for bringing them to this new land. Many years later, Jesus would be born in this land. Jesus was God s Son, but He also was a member of Abraham s large family. Talk Time 1. Show the teaching picture for today s Bible story. Ask questions like these. What did God ask Abraham to do? Did Abraham obey God? Do you think it was hard for Abraham to choose to trust God and move? 2. Say today s Bible Phrase together, Abraham obeyed God (Genesis 12:4). Express the following in your own words. Abraham chose to obey God because he believed God would take him to his new home and bless him. We also can choose to trust and follow God. 3. Close the Bible Story Time in prayer, asking God to help each boy, girl, and teacher choose to obey Him. 4. Direct children to Craft Time. God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2013 - SundaySchoolZone.com OT03 Lesson 1 Hour A Page 3

Craft Time: Make an Instrument Copies of Instrument Covers (Reproducible) Crayons and washable markers Stapler, dried beans or rice, glue Paper plates (1 per child) What to Do: Cut out the Instrument Covers. Fold each paper plate in half and staple, leaving a small opening for dropping in beans or rice. Give each child an instrument cover and ask each one to color the Bible story picture. Children can glue the instrument covers to the paper plates. To complete each instrument, a child can drop a handful of beans or rice into the opening. Teachers should staple the instruments securely so contents are contained. Link to Bible Story: Remind children that when God led Abraham to his new home, Abraham built a special place to worship God. Express that worship can include singing, praying, and listening to God. Invite the children to shake their instruments and sing the following to the tune of Mary Had a Little Lamb. Abraham went to a new land, a new land, a new land. Abraham went to a new land and there he worshiped God. Snack Time Be sure to wash hands or use hand sanitizer. Say a thank-you prayer to God for the snack. When snack time has ended, encourage preschoolers to help with cleaning up. Game Time / Dismissal How Would You Move? What to Do: Invite children to line up side by side with some arm space between them. Explain to children you will call out some questions, and they are to use their bodies to answer each question. Express that each question begins with How would you move if you were? Use the following questions for the game: were a butterfly flying around? were a frog eating a fly? were a snake in the grass? were a raindrop? were a leaf falling from a tree? were a tree blowing in the wind? were a hummingbird eating nectar? were a spider spinning her web? were a bunny? were a rock? At the close of the game, ask boys and girls remind boys and girls that Abraham obeyed God and moved to another place, even when it was hard to leave his homeland. Dismiss children when parents arrive. Be sure to follow your church s security guidelines. God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2013 - SundaySchoolZone.com OT03 Lesson 1 Hour A Page 4

Resources and Supplies Old Testament Unit 3: Abraham Lesson 1: God Guided Abraham Hour A Standard Art Supplies (Supplies that are generally in the room) Washable markers Crayons Child scissors Playdough and accessories Drawing paper Easel (optional) Glue/glue sticks Tempera paint, 4 colors Tape/masking tape Pencils/colored pencils Hole punch Teacher scissors Stapler/staples Permanent markers Watercolors Paintbrushes Yarn Standard Equipment (Equipment that is generally in the room) Bible Small beanbag for Bible Story Time Assorted wooden/cardboard puzzles Set of wooden blocks Small cars and trucks Doll bed Baby doll (soft plastic) Stove/sink unit Play dishes/pots and pans Small table and chairs Small carpet for block area Play food items Storage shelf for blocks Tables and chairs for art, puzzles, and Bible Learning Center CD player/children s Worship CDs Reproducibles (Included with the lesson plan downloads) Activity Page: What Does Not Belong? (1 copy per child) Instrument Covers (1 copy for every 2 children) Teaching Picture, God Guided Abraham (1 copy per class) God s Unfolding Story Cube (Cardstock 1 copy per class) Parents Connect (1 copy per child) Additional Art and Bible Learning Materials White construction paper (1 sheet per child) Rubber bands (8 or 9) Additional Block Materials Plastic animals Additional Craft Materials Paper plates (1 for each child) Small bag of beans or rice God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2013 - SundaySchoolZone.com OT03 Lesson 1 Hour A

What Does Not Belong? Activity Page: What Does Not Belong? Instructions: Copy 1 sheet per child. Use a crayon or marker to circle the object in each group that does not belong with that group of objects. OT03 Lesson 1 Hour A Bible Learning Center God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2013 - SundaySchoolZone.com

Instrument Covers Abraham obeyed God. Genesis 12:4 Abraham obeyed God. Genesis 12:4 Craft Time: Instrument Covers Instructions: Copy 1 sheet for every 2 children. Cut out the Instrument Covers. Use crayons or markers to color the Bible story picture. Fold a paper plate in half and staple or tape leaving a small opening. Drop beans or rice into the folded plate and staple or tape to close. Glue the Instrument Covers to the front of the paper plate. OT03 Lesson 1 Hour A Craft Time God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2013 - SundaySchoolZone.com