Lesson 4 The Life of Jesus Ages 6-7 Unit 1: The King Who Is With Us Jesus Calls His Disciples KINGS AND KINGDOMS PART 1 THE WORSHIP Who God is: The King Who Is With Us THE WORD Bible Story: Luke 5:1-11 What He has done: Jesus calls regular people to follow Him. THE WAY Aim: To know that Jesus calls each of us. Key Verse: Luke 5:10b-11 Christ Connection: Isaiah 41:9 (Grades 1-2) THE WORSHIP, THE WORD, & THE WAY BIBLE MEMORY VERSE The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, Who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 To The Teachers For your own encouragement this week, read 2 Peter 1:16-21. Please join us in praying this week s Teacher s Prayer: Thank you for calling us to follow You. Show us how to train the children well in ways to follow You today. Amen. PREPARE (Before arrival) [] Highlight Luke 5:1-11 and Isaiah 41:9 in your Bible. [] Read this Teacher s Guide. [] Each week, be sure to reserve adequate time to cover THE WORD, THE WAY, and The Golden Bowl. Then, as time allows, choose a Got Time? activity or create your own activity to illustrate the Bible Story, the Aim, or the Bible Memory Verse Song. PRESET [] Chairs in a semi-circle or rows, preset pencils, note cards, Bibles on chairs, Daily Way Lesson 4 [] Bible Memory Verse Song: The Word Became Flesh John 1:14 [] Scripture references 1 & 2 hidden behind curtain, secret door, etc. [] Map: Israel and the Middle East, the Sea of Galilee [] Treasure Treat: Footprint reminder (Paper foot shape, cut out and preprinted: Make every step you take a step Jesus would make.) [] Disciples of Jesus sign up sheet [] One paper fish per child (Draw fish on note card or cut out fish shape.) [] Got Time?: Two small nets, one fish (toy or paper) per child, two buckets, fish shaped crackers or candy, juice, napkins, plates, cups, heavy paper, markers, washable ink pad or washable paint [] Worship Leader Elements: Kingdom Adventures Sketch Lesson 4 or storybook Lesson 4 Music Resources: The additional resources referred to in this lesson and supplemental materials are available at www.childrensministrywarehouse.net. Contents include the drama sketches and storybook chapters, Bible Memory Verse Songs, seasonal materials and so much more. To be a resource yourself, click on the Teacher s Blog tab to share your ideas with teachers worldwide. 1
1. THE WORSHIP (15 minutes) Worship Theme: The King Who Is With Us Use arrival time to connect with the children, creating an environment where they feel welcome. Use the Meet & Greet question to spark anticipation for today s focus. Meet & Greet Question: What is a nickname that people call you? > Today we worship God for who He is and what He has done as the King who is with us. He speaks to us. He calls us. We know what Jesus is saying to us by reading the Bible, praying and talking with others who follow Him. > When we gather to worship Jesus, we are gathering to speak to Him together. This is part of the way we follow Him. We ll do that now through our praise songs, prayers and gifts of money. It s all our way of saying, Jesus, we love You. We want to follow You! > Are you ready to worship Jesus? (Children give a cheer.) Worship Elements: Sing praise and worship songs with the children. Collect and lead prayer for an offering. Read storybook: Kingdom Adventures, Lesson 4; or perform drama: Kingdom Adventures, Lesson 4. Bible Memory Verse Song The Word Became Flesh John 1:14 (NIV) Chorus The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. (Sing four times.) Verse And we have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, Who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (Sing two times.) Repeat Chorus Repeat Verse Sheet music and recordings available at www.childrensministrywarehouse.net Song Suggestions: 1. Unit 1 Bible Memory Verse Song: The Word Became Flesh 2. Select songs that focus on God s House and on learning more about God. It s All About You Follow Me (Bible Memory Verse Song) I Want to Know You I Give You My Praise I Love You Lord With All Your Heart (Bible Memory Verse Song) This is the children s opportunity to worship God with you. Designate a special corner or area for worship. As their role model for worship, lead by example, fully participating with the children as they worship. 2
2. THE WORD (5 minutes) Jesus Calls His Disciples Transition: As you move from worship to instruction, change rooms or locations within a room to help children mentally and physically prepare for the lesson. For additional transition ideas and games see Got Time? at the end of this lesson or go to www.childrensministrywarehouse.net and click on Lesson 4, 2008. > Write your name on your card and place it in the Golden Bowl. Before we read God s Word, let s go over our Class Covenant. A covenant is an agreement. Just as God made a covenant with His people, I ask each of you to make this covenant promise with me today. Listen as I read our Class Covenant. (Read Class Covenant.) Class Covenant I will keep my on my teacher, my in control, my s on God s Word; knowing God is my goal. > Last time, we learned that Jesus was tempted by Satan in the desert. Did Jesus ever do the wrong things Satan tempted Him to do? (No, Jesus always did right in God s eyes.) Jesus used God s Word from the Bible to fight temptation. After Jesus left the desert, He went to the Sea of Galilee where He spoke to Peter and other fishermen. (If a map is available, have a child locate the Sea of Galilee.) If you brought your Bible, open it now and share it with others. (Hand out spare Bibles.) Today s scripture verse is behind the curtain. (Or secret door, secret window, etc. Child unveils scripture #1: Luke 5:1-11.) Before we read, let s stand and ask God to open our eyes, ears, hearts and minds to His Word today. Who d like to pray that for us? (Child prays aloud.) Be seated. > Jesus called the fishermen to follow Him. Let s read in the Bible to check out the whole story! (Read Luke 5:1-11.) Lift up God s Word: To create anticipation, conceal scripture references for Bible Story and Christ Connection in a place of honor. Then unveil references for Find It First and scripture reading. For more information, click on the Resources tab at www.childrensministrywarehouse.net. 3
3. THE WAY (13 minutes) Jesus Calls You >Jesus said to Peter, From now on you will catch men. What Jesus meant was just like a fisherman leads fish into a net so they can be caught, Peter would help lead people to Jesus so they could follow Him. What did Peter do when Jesus said Follow Me? (He left everything and followed Jesus.) >What do you think are the most important things a fisherman owns? (Nets, fishing poles, fish, boat, etc.) What are the most important things you own? (Distribute one paper fish and pencil per child.) Draw a picture or write the name of one thing you own that is important to you on your paper fish. Then, as you toss your fish into the net, imagine how hard it would be to give that up! (Children write or draw and then toss their paper fish into a net or a bag decorated to look like a net.) Peter and the fishermen wanted to follow Jesus so much that they chose to leave everything and follow Him. >Close your eyes and picture Jesus as if He was your age and lived in your home. Imagine following Jesus though your home. Notice how He chooses to spend His time, and how He treats others in your family. What do you think Jesus would do if He was your age and lived with your family? Would He be kind? Would He pray? (Children respond.) >Now picture Jesus as if He was your age at school or church. Imagine following Jesus as He spent the day with your teachers and friends. How do you think He would choose to spend His time? Would He listen and work hard? How would He treat your teachers and friends? Would He be respectful? (Children respond.) CHRIST CONNECTION Connecting the Old Testament, the New Testament and Us REVEAL> Jesus calls His disciples. He calls each one to follow Him. Peter heard Jesus call to him when He said, Follow Me. Today, Jesus calls each of us to follow Him. We don t always hear Jesus calling with our ears, but we can hear Him calling with our hearts. When we read the Bible, pray and worship God, we can know Jesus wants us to follow Him. Everyone put your Bible on your lap. (Choose a child to unveil scripture #2: Isaiah 41:9.) Let s find this verse. (Read Isaiah 41:9.) >This is a sign up list for disciples of Jesus. Disciple means follower. If you believe Jesus has chosen you and called to follow Him, you can sign your first name on the list of His disciples. (As you circulate the Disciples of Jesus sign up sheet, discuss the miracle catch of fish and the way the fishermen left everything to follow Jesus.) 4
THE WAY continued GOLDEN BOWL Revelation 5:8 The Golden Bowl cont ains names of classmates, a local church leader and a child in another nation. > The Bible says that our prayers are like sweet smelling incense in the golden bowls at God s throne. So I m going to lift each one of you up to God s throne out loud as you pray for each person silently. Then we ll pray out loud the Lord s Prayer. (Matthew 6:9-13.) Let s pray. Lord God, we lift up to Your throne the name of each child here. We trust You to watch over us and our needs: the ones we say out loud and the ones hidden in our hearts. First, we lift up to You,, (read names in Golden Bowl). Now, we pray the prayer Your Son taught us. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. FINAL FIVE When only 5 minutes remain, begin this segment. TREASURE TREAT Today, your Treasure Treat is a footprint reminder. Put it in a special place to remind you to make every step you take everything you say and do be a step that would be following Jesus. DAILY WAY CHALLENGE Did anyone bring in their completed Daily Way from last time? (Praise or reward those who returned Daily Way; collect in basket.) Take home this week s Daily Way. (Distribute Lesson 4 Daily Way 5-day Bible study.) Complete this at home and let God speak to you through His own words in the Bible. Return it and place it in our class basket. When we fill the basket, we ll celebrate with a class surprise! OFFERING OF ART That s it for today. Thank you all for coming. Until your parent arrives, you may get started on this week s Daily Way, or make an Offering of Art. For your offering, draw a picture of Peter leaving his boat and nets full of fish to follow Jesus. (Art can be finished at home or given as an offering to the teacher for display.) BIBLE MEMORY VERSE SONG Play the Unit 1 Bible Memory Verse Song in the background as children wait for their parents. Encourage them to sing along. PRAYER REQUESTS How can I pray for you this week? (As students work on their Daily Way or Offering Of Art, write individual requests in your teacher s prayer notebook.) 5
4. GOT TIME? If time remains, choose from the connected activities below. LESSON ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES FISHING RELAY GETTING STARTED ACTIVITY PURPOSE: Introduce the lesson theme by playing a fishing game. SUPPLIES: Two small nets (can be squares of cloth), one fish per child (toy or paper), two buckets PREPARE: Divide the fish into two equal piles, place the buckets on opposite sides of the room from the fish piles. ASK> Who has been fishing? Today, our Bible Story is about how Jesus called three fishermen to follow Him. They left their jobs as fishermen and became His disciples. Let s play a fishing game. We are going to race to see which team can catch the most fish. 1. Form two teams and have each team line up behind a pile of fish. 2. Give a net to the first person in line. 3. On your signal, the first player in each line is to place a fish in his/her net and race to place it in the team s bucket. 4. The player hands the net to the next player in line and goes to the back of the line. 5. The next player repeats the process. 6. When all the fish are in the bucket, the team sits down. 7. The goal is to be the first team to transfer all the team s fish into the bucket. FISH SNACKS SNACK PURPOSE: Connect personally with your students while enjoying a snack that helps children explore the idea of following a leader. SUPPLIES: Fish shaped crackers or candy, juice, napkins, plates, cups SAY> Today we are going to discover how Jesus called three of His disciples to follow Him. Jesus is our leader, too. We want to follow Him by learning His Words in the Bible and serving Him. Who are some other leaders you follow? How do you follow them? 1. Serve snack and juice. 2. Ask a child to pray and thank God for the snack. 3. As you eat, use this time to discuss the questions above. 6
GOT TIME? continued TABLE TALK: OTHERS FOLLOW JESUS GROUP DISCUSSION PURPOSE: This discussion can stand alone or be led as the children create a craft or eat their snack. The fishermen had to leave everything behind to follow Jesus. As we follow Him, sometimes it is difficult to put Jesus first. Often, we must choose between doing what Jesus wants for us and doing what we want to do. Has there ever been a time when you had to make a difficult choice to do what was right as you followed Jesus? (Discuss.) GAME: FOLLOW THE LEADER PURPOSE: This popular game is a picture of attentively following someone. Directions: 1. Assign one child the role of leader. Remaining children are followers. 2. The leader marches around the room as the followers imitate every move the leader makes. 3. Throughout game, play or sing Bible Memory Verse Song: The Word Became Flesh. 4. Try to give each child a turn to be the leader. FOLLOW JESUS CERTIFICATES APPLICATION PURPOSE: For children to make certificates to show their commitments to following Jesus. SUPPLIES: Heavy paper, markers, washable ink pad or paint PREPARE: Create a sample craft. Write the following words where the children can copy them: I, child s name, will follow Jesus everyday. ASK> Today we discovered Jesus called Peter, James and John to follow Him. They were regular people who sinned, but Jesus still wanted them to follow Him. Do we have to be perfect to follow Jesus? (No.) Who does Jesus want to follow Him? (Everyone.) Let s make certificates to say that we are going to follow Jesus. 1. On sturdy paper, write the words I, will follow Jesus everyday. 2. Write your name on the blank. 3. Create a two footprints in the card. a. Ink the pinky side of the child s fist. b. Press the inked portion of the child s fist onto the paper twice to create the feet. c. Ink the tip of the child s index finger. d. Press the inked portion of the child s finger above the foot five times to create toes. Re-ink finger and repeat over other foot. SAY> These two footprints represent your feet following Jesus. 7
GOT TIME? continued BIBLE MEMORY VERSE ACTIVITIES Unit 1 Bible Memory Verse: "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, Who came from the Father, full o f grace and truth. John 1:14 STEPPING STONES BIBLE MEMORY VERSE MEMORY ACTIVITY OBJECT: Children will step on stepping stones to help them learn and remember the Unit 1 Bible Memory Verse. SUPPLIES: 32 paper plates, markers. PREPARE: Write the Unit 1 Bible Memory Verse on paper plates; one word per plate. Place the plates face side up and in order on the floor. 1. Each child steps on the plates in order, saying each word as step. 2. Each time the children repeat the game, turn over some of the plates so that they must remember the missing words when they step on those plates. 3. The goal is for the children to step on only upside down plates and remember all of the words of the Verse. THE WAVE PURPOSE: To help children memorize the Unit 1 Bible Memory Verse. 1. Assign one phrase from John 1:14 to each child or group. 2. As helper directs, each child/group quickly stands, says assigned phrase while raising both hands up to the sky and then down to thighs and sits down. 3. Repeat three times, faster each time. BIBLE TIMELINE REVIEW NOTE: The Bible Timeline Review activities will resume in Kings & Kingdoms Lesson 34 when we complete our semester study of the life of Jesus and the summer study of Kingdom Parables. *Teacher Tip: For Lessons 1-33, the previous week s lesson will always be reviewed briefly in the Teachers Guide. If students want to keep visual track of the stories, preprint the title to each lesson on a paper cut-out of a footprint. Then, the children can follow in Jesus footsteps as they review past weeks in the study of His life and teachings. 8