King Josiah and Huldah

Ages 3 5 June 24, 2018 E King Josiah and Huldah Goal: To know the Bible can help us to live faithfully. RECOGNIZING GOD S GRACE...... In 2 Kings 22 During restoration of Solomon s temple under King Josiah, an instruction scroll was found in the temple (v. 8). This book of the law (NRSV) is often identified as part of the book of Deuteronomy. When he read it, Josiah ripped his clothes (v. 11; CEB) and said, The Lord must be furious with us because our ancestors failed to obey the words of this scroll and do everything written in it about us (v. 13; CEB). Huldah was a prophetess (v. 14) who, when consulted about the scroll, predicted destruction because of the nation s sins. But she said of Josiah: Because your heart was broken and you submitted before the Lord and because you ripped your clothes and cried before me, I have listened to you, declares the Lord (v. 19; CEB). God s grace led to the discovery of God s word. Josiah, hearing the word of God when he read the scroll, realized how far the nation had strayed from God s will. He was moved to rip his clothes symbolic of sorrow and repentance. Huldah acknowledged the King submitted to God. His heart was broken, and Huldah proclaimed God recognized Josiah s sorrow. Josiah was grateful to hear God s word and responded in repentance.... In your experiences with the children At the heart of this story is one theme: recognizing something wrong has been done and receiving forgiveness. Children can tell their own stories about a time when they either knew they had done something wrong or someone pointed it out to them. Huldah did that for Josiah, but she also told him that God forgave him when he expressed his sorrow. Children will also be able to tell about their own experiences of forgiveness, either when they gave it or received it. Their experience will help them connect with this interesting story about God s people so long ago.... In your relationships with the children This is a complicated story so take the time to read it in your Bible as you are also reading the story included. It will be helpful to have a visual way to keep all the characters in front of the children written on big cards or on a white board: Solomon, King Josiah, and Huldah. You will need to help them understand why the temple was destroyed, what was written on the scroll, and Josiah s act of ripping his clothes. They will be able to connect with Josiah s sadness about how far the people were living from the way God wanted them to live. They will also be able to understand the forgiving act of Huldah, the prophetess. O God, your word is a lamp to my path. Grant me the wisdom to receive it as such. Amen. 2018 Congregational Ministiries Publishing 35

King Josiah and Huldah Ages 3 5 June 24, 2018 E Supplies basic supplies (see p. vii) e-book or story audio (see p. vii) Music & Melodies (MM) 2017 2018 Stories, Colors & More (SCM) 4, 4a, 28, 32, 35 38 Guided Play choice 1: damp sponges choice 2: crowns, robes Exploring choice 1: copies of Grace Notes (GN) 1 choice 2: prepared copies of GN 2, baking parchment paper, string choice 4: copies of GN 3 GATHERING IN GOD S GRACE Before the Children Arrive Select the activities that will work best for you and your children. You do not need to do everything suggested. Designate a story corner and lay out a blanket or individual mats for the children so their backs will be to the door. Use SCM 35 36, Your Visual Schedule, to provide clear expectations and a visual cue for the group. See SCM 37 38 for the key to icons (for example, ) and ways to adapt for children with special needs or disabilities. Exploring God s Grace, choices 1 and 2, require more prep. Welcoming and Guided Play Greet children as they arrive and say, Grace and peace be with you. Prompt them to respond, And also with you. Be attentive to any children who might be coming for the first time. Introduce yourself to parents/caregivers that you do not know personally. Tell the parents today s story is about how King Josiah discovered God s laws and led the people to follow them. Invite the children to choose a guided play activity to start: 1. Cleaning Up Invite the children to wipe off the toys, tables, and chairs with damp sponges or paper towels. Tell the children that today s Bible story is about a place that needed cleaning up and when the people were cleaning, they found an extraordinary surprise. 2. Dress Up Dress up like a king or a queen (crown and robe). Bow to one another. Have a conversation with the children about what they would do if they were a king or a queen. Tell the children that today s story is about an eight-year-old boy who became king!. 3. Rebuilding Blocks Have the children make a building out of blocks. Say that the building in the story we will hear was a special place to worship God, called the temple. Say that the people did not take care of temple and it began to fall apart. Invite the children to knock down the building you made and then rebuild it. Transition times can be more frustrating to children if they have to wait. Be prepared to move to the next activity and alert children of upcoming changes. If children will need to wait, provide a simple task such as a threading activity, or hand clapping to occupy the time and lessen the frustration. 36 2018 Congregational Ministiries Publishing

King Josiah and Huldah Ages 3 5 June 24, 2018 E Transitioning to Story Time When the children are ready to move into group time, call them to the story corner, singing A Child of God MM 21; SCM 32. Repeat words and phrases as appropriate. The King and Queen Speak Lead the children in the following motions: The Queen says, Clap your hands. The King says, Pat your head. The Queen says, Turn in a circle. The King says, Stand up on your tiptoes. The Queen says, Sit down and fold your hands in your lap. The King says, Listen to the story. Sit Criss-Cross Lead the children in the following motions: Eyes looking; (Cup hands around eyes.) Ears listening; (Cup hand by ear.) Mouth quiet; ( Put index finger over closed mouth.) Hands helping; (Hold palms face up.) Sit crisscrossed. (Sit cross-legged on the floor.) Hearing the Story Place blocks in a large square on the floor around the children. Tell them that they are now in the temple to hear God s story today. Open the Bible to 2 Kings 22 so the children know the story comes from the Bible. Tell the children that they are going to hear a story about King Josiah who discovered God s laws and led the people to follow them. Read SCM 4 or 4a. Express the emotions of the story in your voice, gestures, and facial expressions. Conclude the story by prompting the children to say, Amen. Read the story on SCM 4a inviting the children to pantomime the actions found in the story, such as the rebuilding of the temple, finding the scroll, opening and reading the scroll, visiting Huldah, and turning around to follow God s ways. 2018 Congregational Ministiries Publishing 37

King Josiah and Huldah Ages 3 5 June 24, 2018 E more more Use the scrolls the children make in Exploring 2 or make simple scrolls for each child with a sheet of rolled up paper tied with a string. prep prep EXPLORING GOD S GRACE 1. Rebuilding the Temple Before the session, cut out rectangles from brown and tan construction paper to be stones to repair the temple building. For each child, cut a 1- to 2-inch square from colored construction paper to represent the scroll. Give the children copies of GN 1 and remind them that the temple, the place God s people worshiped God, had fallen into disrepair and King Josiah decided to rebuild the temple. Invite the children to glue construction paper stones on their temple pictures to help King Josiah rebuild the temple. Give each child the colored square and tell them that this is the scroll of God s Laws. Invite them to glue the scroll on their temple picture, perhaps peeking out from some of the stones. 2. Making Scrolls Before the session, cut out the words from GN 2 for each child. Remind the children that when King Josiah was rebuilding the Temple, the workers found scrolls of God s laws. Remind them that God s Laws say to love God and love others. Help the children make scrolls to remind them of God s laws. Give each child the words Love God and love other people and a sheet of baking parchment paper. Invite the children to glue the words to the parchment paper and decorate the scroll. Show the children how to roll up the scroll. Invite the children to unroll the scrolls and together, read what it says. Have the children roll their scroll again and help them tie a piece of string around the scroll. Encourage the children to take them home and share the words with their family. 3. Hide and Seek Scrolls Remind the children that the scroll with God s laws had been lost for a long time. The scroll was found by the workers. Tell the children that you will hide a scroll for each person in your room and they will find them. Instruct them to shout, I found God s laws! when they find their scroll. Tell the children to put their heads down and cover their eyes while you hide the scrolls around your room. Challenge the children to find the scrolls, one per person, and bring them back to the circle when they have found one. Repeat, inviting the children to take turns hiding the scrolls for the other children. 38 2018 Congregational Ministiries Publishing

King Josiah and Huldah Ages 3 5 June 24, 2018 E Use wonder questions that do not force a child to remember facts. Wonder questions help a child think aloud. Answers are neither right nor wrong. They help teach children to speak from their hearts. 4. Coloring Page Hand out GN 3 and crayons. Invite the children to color the picture. Engage the children in conversation as they color using the following wondering Z questions. ZI wonder, ZI wonder, Z Where was the scroll found? What other messages from God did Huldah tell the Z What laws were on the scroll? ZI wonder, people? Transitions can be difficult. This may be a good time for some quick physical activities, such as clap hands, wiggle fingers, hop up and down, and so forth. LOVING AND SERVING GOD Call the children together, singing We Are Blessed to Be a Blessing MM 10; SCM 28. Repeat words and phrases as appropriate. Ask the children how they will follow God this week. If you would like to share a snack, now would be a good time. Pray: Ask parents and caregivers for their e-mail addresses so you can send the Grace Sightings link, or invite them to visit gracesightings.org. For food to eat, (Raise hands to mouth.) and friends to share, (Hold hands out.) for those we love everywhere, ( Place hands over heart.) we thank you, God. ( Put hands together in prayer.) As the children leave, bless them: (Name), the grace of God is with you. 2018 Congregational Ministiries Publishing 39

Grace Notes June 24, 2018 GN 1 Rebuilding the Temple 2018 Congregational Ministiries Publishing Ages 3 5 41

Grace Notes June 24, 2018 GN 2 Making Scrolls 2018 Congregational Ministiries Publishing Ages 3 5 43

Grace Notes June 24, 2018 GN 3 King Josiah and Huldah The scroll of the Law is found. Rejoice! 2018 Congregational Ministiries Publishing Ages 3 5 45