Week of April 8, 2012 Lessons for the Leader Have you ever had a plan, but something happened to make you have to change the plan? Read on to learn what changed Mary Magdalene's plan for the day. Read John 20:1-2. Sorrow weighed heavily on Mary Magdalene as she went early in the morning to the tomb. Probably, Mary went to prepare Jesus' body after His death. Whatever she planned, she did not plan on seeing the stone rolled away. She ran to tell two disciples. Perhaps she knew she would need a man to ask questions about the empty tomb. Do you sometimes need someone to intervene and help you? Jesus is always ready and waiting to help. Read John 20:3-10. Peter and John ran to the tomb. The men went in and saw the linens lying there, but no Jesus. The men saw and believed that Jesus was not there. However, the men still did not understand the Scripture about Jesus rising from the dead. The men left the tomb. Do we often say we believe but not understand? Read John 20:11-17. Reflect on the happenings in these verses. What would you have thought or done if angels had spoken to you? Do you think Mary thought of them as angels or possibly garden workers? Was she too distraught from Jesus' body being missing to grasp what had really happened? How could she have not known who the man was standing right in front of her? Imagine how she felt when she heard Jesus' voice. How do you feel when you realize Jesus is speaking to you? Read John 20:18. Mary ran to tell the disciples. Mary obeyed. Do you tell the good news that Jesus is alive? Start with your preschoolers today. What do these symbols mean? 1aApplication Activities Format: Follow the numbers with arrows for a 30-minute, large group plus 20-minute Application Activities format. 1 Follow all the numbers for a 45- to 60-minute large group only format. Jesus Is Alive! Bible Passage: John 20:1-18 Key Bible Verse: Matthew 28:7 Life Application I will discover that Jesus died on the cross and is alive. Level of Biblical Learning (Jesus) Jesus died on the cross and is alive. Session at a Glance Introduction to Worship (6 to 8 minutes) Greet Children Play "I Am Happy!" Worship (30 minutes/45 minutes) Welcome Children Sing "Jesus, We Love You" Sing "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus" Present Offering and Pray Practice Bible Skills Introduce the Word Tomb Tell the Bible Story Learn the Bible Verse Sing "Jesus Is Alive" Review the Bible Story Use Worship Guides Make Application Move About the Room Transition Application Activities (20 minutes) Wrap-Up (10 minutes) OK to copy. Page 1 of 16
Introduction to Worship 1aGreet Children Offering container Say to each child: "Happy Easter! Jesus is alive!" Show children where to place their offerings. 2aPlay "I Am Happy!" Large sheets of paper, crayons, tables (optional) Place large sheets of paper and crayons on the floor or tables. Direct children to the papers. Encourage each child to draw something that makes him happy. Shout: "I am happy!" Encourage the children to echo your shout and draw more things that make them happy. Repeat several times so each child can draw several things that make him happy. Worship 3aWelcome Children (2 minutes) Comment: "We drew pictures of things that make us happy. What were some of the things you drew?" Invite children to name things they drew. Comment: "Jesus' friends were very sad because they knew He had died. Then the friends heard He was alive! They were happy!" 4 Sing "Jesus, We Love You" (DVD, 2 minutes) 5aSing "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus" (DVD, 2 minutes) 6aPresent Offering and Pray (2 minutes) 7 Practice Bible Skills (4 minutes) Print "Matthew," "Mark," "Luke," and "John" (CD). Say: "We are learning parts of the Bible. Who remembers any of the books that are called the Gospels?" Encourage responses. Display each title with correct response. Point to and read aloud each title. Comment: "These books are called the Gospels because they tell the good news about Jesus' life, about His death on the cross, and that He is alive. Say the books together in the correct order." Lead children to say the book names. 8aIntroduce the Word Tomb (3 minutes) Paper, marker Print the word tomb on the paper. Print "Tomb" (CD). Say: "Jesus died on the cross. After He died, Jesus' body was placed in a tomb." Display word. Continue: "This word is tomb. Say that with me. 'Tomb.' A tomb is 'a place to bury people who have died; sometimes a cave with a stone door.' [Display picture.] Jesus was placed in a tomb and a stone door was rolled across the entrance." 9aTell the Bible Story (7 minutes) Woman's Bible times clothing Enlist a volunteer to portray Mary Magdalene. Give the volunteer a copy of the Bible story. Teacher Tip Sit among the children so you can quietly encourage good listening without interrupting "Mary." Inform: "Today, we have a special treat. Someone pretending to be Mary Magdalene, a woman who went to Jesus' tomb early one morning, will tell our Bible story. Let's listen." (Mary Magdalene enters and talks.) Hello, boys and girls. I want to tell you about a special day that happened long ago. The day started out very sad, but it didn't end that way. I can hardly wait to tell you the exciting part, but let me start at the beginning. Jesus Is Alive! Page 2 of 16
Jesus Is Alive! Based on John 20:1-18 I went to the tomb while it was early and still dark. I was very sad about Jesus dying. When I got to the tomb, I saw the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. I ran to tell Peter and John, two of Jesus' disciples. I was so upset. I told the men that Jesus' body was gone. His body had been taken out of the tomb and I did not know where they had put Him. Peter and John both ran to the tomb. John got there first but did not go in the tomb. Peter arrived and went in. The disciples saw the clothes Jesus had been wrapped in when He was put in the tomb. The clothes were there, but Jesus was not there! The disciples did not understand what had happened to Jesus. Neither did I. The disciples went home, but I stayed at the tomb. I stood there crying. I looked inside the tomb and saw two angels. The angels asked me why I was crying. I told them I was sad because Jesus' body was gone and I didn't know where it was. I turned away from the angels and saw a man. This man asked me why I was crying and whom I was looking for. I thought maybe he was a gardener who took care of the tombs. I begged the man to tell me where he had put Jesus' body. The man answered with one word, "Mary." The man called me by name. I recognized His voice. I called Him Teacher. It was Jesus! Jesus was alive! Jesus told me to tell the others the great news. I couldn't wait! I ran to the disciples and shouted, "I have seen Jesus!" That is why I am here today. I want you to know Jesus is alive! It is not a secret. Tell everyone that Jesus was dead, but now He is alive! (Mary exits.) 10aLearn the Bible Verse (3 minutes) Paper, markers Print Matthew 28:7 from your preferred translation. Teacher Tip Print and use "Matthew 28:7 Paraphrase" (CD). Display and read aloud the verse. Say: "Stand and say the verse with me." Guide children to stand and repeat the verse, leading boys and then girls to say it. 11 Sing "Jesus Is Alive" (DVD, 2 minutes) 12aReview the Bible Story (4 minutes) Print "Teaching Picture 6 Jesus is Alive" (CD). Comment: "After Jesus died on the cross, He was placed in a tomb. A large stone was rolled in front of the entrance. Look at the picture." Display the teaching picture. Ask: "Is the stone over the doorway now?" Ask: "Who is this woman? Why is she happy?" Invite responses, leading kids to retell story. Say: "We can know Jesus died on the cross and is alive." 13aUse Worship Guides (7 minutes) Worship Guides, markers Distribute materials. Lead children to complete the activities. 14 Make Application (3 minutes) Say: "When I point to you, say 'Jesus is alive!' Say it loudly, softly, like a baby, like an announcer on TV, or any way you like! Just be sure you sound very happy!" Point to the children and invite them to speak. Conclude: "We can know Jesus died on the cross, was put in the tomb, and is now alive." 15 Move About the Room (4 minutes) Instruct: "Everyone stand up. We'll walk slowly around the room like we are sad. When you hear me say 'Jesus is alive,' get excited. Shake hands, skip, or high-five someone. Walk like you are really happy." Encourage children to walk slowly and sadly. Say: "Jesus is alive." Remind children to be happy. Repeat the game several times. Say: "Jesus' friends were sad when Jesus died. They were very happy to learn He was alive! Jesus is alive today." 16aGo to Application Activities or Wrap-Up Week of April 8, 2012 Page 3 of 16
Wrap-Up (Large Group Only Format) 17 Sing "Whoa!" (DVD, 2 minutes) 18 Review (2 minutes) "Teaching Picture 6 Jesus is Alive" from step 12 Display and talk about the teaching picture. Ask: "What did we learn about Jesus?" Encourage children to respond. Say: "Jesus died on the cross and is alive." 19 Pray (1 minute) 20 Play a Game (5 minutes) Giant Game Floor Mat*, scissors, tape Print "Mini Bible Story Pictures" (CD). Cut apart. Print "Number Cube" (CD), cut out, and assemble. Place the "People Welcomed Jesus" picture in the upper left corner. Place the "Jesus Is Alive" picture in the lower right corner. Teacher Tips Save the pictures to use again next week. Place a sheet of colored paper in each pocket. Instruct: "We'll take turns rolling the cube and moving that many places on the mat. Start at this picture [point to upper left corner] and move up, down, or across to get to the bottom pocket on the mat." Choose three children to begin the game. Say: "These three will play first and then I will choose three more. Roll the cube and move in any direction toward that corner spot [point]." (For example, if a child rolls a 4, she could move across 4 places, down 3 and across 1, or across 2 and down 2, etc.) Invite the waiting children to tell about the two Bible story pictures. Lead children to say "Jesus is alive" when stepping on the bottom picture. Play as time permits. Conclude: "We learned Jesus died on the cross and is alive." Wrap-Up (Application Activities Format) 17aSing "Whoa!" (DVD, 2 minutes) 18aHighlight Application Activities (2 minutes) Invite several children to tell what they did in their Application Activities. ddarts and Crafts Make Finger Puppets dddramatic Play Parade Around the Room ddgames Run to Tell ddexploration and Discovery Sort Living and Non-Living Pictures State: "Our activities helped us learn Jesus died on the cross and is alive." 19aReview (2 minutes) "Teaching Picture 6 Jesus Is Alive" from step 12 Display and talk about the teaching picture. Ask: "What did we learn about Jesus?" Encourage children to respond. Say: "Jesus died on the cross and is alive." 20aReview (4 minutes) Motions J: arms straight out from body; one foot pushed out to one side with toes pointing up I: both arms straight up over head A: touch fingertips together over head State: "We learned something very important today. What is it?" Invite responses. Continue: "We learned Jesus died on the cross and is alive. Let's make three letters with our bodies to help us remember Jesus is alive." Teach children the motions [see box]. Lead: "Let's say the words together as we do our motions. 'Jesus' [do J motion] 'is' [do I motion] 'alive' [do A motion]. Let's do it one more time slowly and then we will speed up." Lead children to do the motions as they say the words, guiding them to speed up each time. Conclude: "Happy Easter! Jesus is alive!" 21aDismiss Children to Parents 21 Dismiss Children to Parents * Giant Game Floor Mat (001114564) may be ordered through LifeWay Christian Resources Customer Service Center at 1.800.458.2772 or online at www.lifeway.com. Week of April 8, 2012 Worship KidStyle Preschool Edition Leader Guide 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Page 4 of 16
Application Activities Select from the following choices. Each choice is designed for 20 minutes of small group time. Paper, scissors, crayons or markers, tape, small paper cups, construction paper (tan or gray), round lid or plate, yarn Print "Finger Puppets" (CD). Print 1 page per child. Cut a hole for the tomb opening in each construction paper (1 per child). Teacher Tips Allow children to create their own tombs and stones. Print and display "Tomb" (CD). Cut out finger puppets before the session. Bible times clothing for each child, musical instruments, CD with the tune of "God Is So Good" (instrumental), CD player Teacher Tips Add different songs to sing while marching around the room. Use fabric scraps, yarn, bathrobes, large T-shirts, etc. to make Bible times clothing. Worship Through Arts and Crafts Make Finger Puppets Say: "We discovered Jesus died on the cross and was placed in a tomb. When His friends returned to the tomb, they discovered Jesus was gone! The big, heavy stone had been moved and Jesus wasn't there anymore. Jesus is alive!" Distribute materials. Instruct: "Let's make finger puppets of Mary Magdalene, John, and Peter. You can choose to draw a person on the blank puppet if you like. You might want to draw an angel or Jesus. We will also make pretend tombs." Allow children to decorate the tomb paper and cut out the finger puppets. Help each child trace around the lid and cut out the paper circle to use as a stone. Attach the stone to the tomb by taping one end of the yarn to the stone and the other end to the tomb paper. Guide children to tape the finger puppets to fit their fingers. Assist children as they tape the cups to the backs of their tomb papers. Encourage children to play out the story of John, Mary Magdalene, and Peter finding the empty tomb. Each time they find the empty tomb, shout, "Jesus is alive!" Direct kids to put their finger puppets inside their tombs to carry home. Pray. Worship Through Dramatic Play Parade Around the Room Say: "Who can tell us the special event that happened in our Bible story?" Encourage responses. Say: "We discovered Jesus died on the cross and is alive! During Jesus' life, people dressed much differently than we do today. Let's dress up to look like the people did in Jesus' day. We will dress in these clothes, then choose instruments to play." Distribute Bible clothing to children and help as needed. Explain: "Let's parade around the room. As we march, let's sing a song about Jesus being alive. We'll sing the words Jesus is alive over and over. Sing along when you know the tune." Distribute instruments. Lead kids to sing while they march and play instruments. Sing the words to the tune "God Is So Good." Invite children to switch instruments and march again. March several times around the room and then collect instruments. Say: "We discovered Jesus died on the cross and was placed in a tomb. When His friends returned to the tomb, they discovered Jesus was gone! The stone was moved and Jesus wasn't there anymore. Jesus is alive!" Pray. Lead kids to remove Bible times clothing and clean the area. Week of April 8, 2012 Page 5 of 16
Stickers (4 different colors or types) Teacher Tips Allow children to play twice in the round if teams are uneven. Think of teams as A, B, C, and D. Line up teams A and B parallel to each other. Line up team C across from A and team D across from B. In first race, A runs to C and B to D. In second race, A runs to D and B to C. d d First Race B A D C d d Second Race B A D C Magazines, scissors, glue sticks, markers, construction paper Print Living on one side of a construction paper and Non-Living on the other. Print 1 per child. Teacher Tips Remove questionable items from magazines. Print Living and Non- Living on paper and duplicate. Cut apart and give each child a set of the words. Worship Through Games Run to Tell Form four teams. Give teams different stickers. Direct two teams to stand in separate single-file lines. Guide the other two teams to line up in separate single-file lines facing the first two teams. Say: "The goal of our game is to tell someone 'Jesus is alive.' The first person on the [name sticker color or type] team will run tell the first person on the [name sticker color or type] team. The first person on the [name sticker color or type] team will go tell the first person on the [name sticker color or type] team. After you have told or heard, go to the back of your line. Everyone moves up in line as others go to the end of the lines." Help the children go tell and move to the ends of the lines. Congratulate teams when done. Explain: "This time, we will go to opposite teams. The [name sticker color or type] team will go tell the [name sticker color or type] team. The [name sticker color or type] team will go tell the [name sticker color or type] team. Remember to go to the back of your team's line after telling or hearing. Also, watch for the runners. We will be crossing paths." Run the relay. Lead everyone to be seated. Say: "We discovered Jesus died on the cross and was placed in a tomb. When His friends returned to the tomb, they discovered Jesus was gone! The big heavy stone had been moved and Jesus wasn't there anymore. Jesus is alive! Let's pray, thanking God for Jesus." Pray Worship Through Exploration and Discovery Sort Living and Non-Living Pictures Say: "This is such a great day because we learned Jesus is alive! Not all things are living. To be living, something must need air, water, and food. I'll give everyone a magazine. Choose and cut out pictures of things that are living and non-living. Glue your pictures to the correct sides of your papers [display]. If you are not sure if your item is living or non-living, I will be glad to help you." Distribute magazines, papers, scissors, and glue sticks. Monitor as each child cuts out pictures. Offer assistance as needed. Say: "You may tear out your pictures instead of cutting if you like." Talk about the Bible story as children work. Comment on the chosen pictures. Lead children to stop and clean the area. Say: "Let's show our pictures to everyone." Invite children to show their pictures, commenting on different pictures. Conclude: "Jesus is alive. On which side would we put a picture of Jesus? The living side. Let's pray, thanking God that Jesus is alive." Pray. Worship KidStyle Preschool Edition Leader Guide 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. OK to copy. Page 6 of 16
Jim Noble 1998 The Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Printed in the USA. Jesus Is Alive! John 20:1-18 Page 7 of 16
Matthew Matthew 9 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Printed in USA. OK to copy. Page 8 of 16
Mark Mark 10 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Printed in USA. OK to copy. Page 9 of 16
Luke Luke 11 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Printed in USA. OK to copy. Page 10 of 16
ohn John 12 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Printed in USA. OK to copy. Page 11 of 16
People Welcomed Jesus Jesus Is Alive Two Men Saw Jesus Jesus Helped His Disciples Mini Bible Story Pictures (April 1, 8, 15, 22) 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Printed in USA. OK to copy. Page 12 of 16
1 2 3 1. Cut along the dotted lines. 2. Fold on the solid lines. 3. Fill with scrap paper. 4. Tape closed. 4 5 6 Number Cube 1 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Printed in USA. OK to copy. Page 13 of 16
Tomb (April 8) 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Printed in USA. OK to copy. Page 14 of 16
Jesus is alive! Matthew 28:7 Matthew 28:7 Paraphrase (April 8) 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Printed in USA. OK to copy. Page 15 of 16
Finger Puppets (April 8) 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Printed in USA. OK to copy. Page 16 of 16