Early Elementary Guide Fall 2013 - First United Methodist Church in

Transcription

ISBN-13: 978-1-426-76810-1
GrowProclaimServe.com
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Scope and Sequence 2013–2014
Spring 2014
Unit 1: From Judges to Kings
Unit 1: The Way to Jerusalem
1. Deborah
2. Hannah
3. God Calls Samuel
4. Samuel the Judge
5. Choosing a King
1. Jesus and the Children
2. A Man Born Blind
3. Zacchaeus
4. The Lord’s Supper
5. Praying in the Garden
Unit 2: David the King
Unit 2: In Jerusalem
6. Samuel Anoints David
7. David and Goliath
8. David Dances
9. David’s Son Builds the Temple
6. Peter’s Denial
7. Palm Sunday
8. Easter
9. Road to Emmaus
Unit 3: Prophets and Kings
Unit 3: Peter
10. Elijah and the Ravens
11. Elijah and the Prophets
12. Elisha
13. Josiah/Huldah
10. Peter’s Declaration
11. Peter and John
12. Peter and Tabitha
13. Peter in Prison
Winter 2013-2014
Summer 2014
Unit 1: The Birth of Jesus
Unit 1: Becoming the Church
1. A Child Is Born
2. A Message to Mary
3. A Message to Joseph
4. Good News!
5. Simeon and Anna
1. The Promise of the Holy Spirit
2. Pentecost
3. Proclaim With Boldness (Peter and John)
4. Offering for Jerusalem
5. One Body, Many Parts
Unit 2: The Life of Jesus
Unit 2: Prayer and Praise
6. The Wise Men
7. Jesus at the Temple
8. Jesus’ Baptism
9. Jesus in the Synagogue
6. Psalm 100
7. Psalm 150
8. Solomon’s Prayer
9. The Tax Collector and the Pharisee
Unit 3: Jesus’ Ministry
Unit 3: Peacemaking
10. Jesus Calls Fishermen
11. Jesus Heals Peter’s Mother-in-law
12. Jesus Teaches the Beatitudes
13. Jesus Calms the Storm
10. Abraham and Lot
11. David and Abigail
12. Mephibosheth
13. Love Your Enemies
14. Blessed Are...
Vol. 2 • No. 1 • FALL 2013
Editorial / Design Team
Brittany Sky Stanley................................................. Editor
Julie P. Glass.......................................... Production Editor
Amelia Qu............................................................ Designer
Administrative Team
Neil M. Alexander............................................... Publisher
Marjorie M. Pon................. Associate Publisher and Editor of
Church School Publications (CSP)
Phillip D. Francis..................Senior Design Manager, CSP
LeeDell B. Stickler...... Senior Editor, Children’s Resources
o n ly
Finding Bethlehem
Grow, Proclaim, Serve: Early Elementary, Leader’s Guide: An
official resource for The United Methodist Church approved
by the General Board of Discipleship and published quarterly
by Cokesbury, a division of The United Methodist Publishing
House, 201 Eighth Avenue, South, P.O. Box 801, Nashville, TN
37202-0801. Price $9.99. Copyright © 2013 Cokesbury. All
rights reserved. Send address changes to Grow, Proclaim, Serve:
Early Elementary, Leader’s Guide, Subscription Services, 201
Eighth Avenue, South, P.O. Box 801, Nashville, TN 37202-0801
or call 800-672-1789. Printed in the United States of America.
To order copies of this publication, call toll free: 800-672-1789.
You may fax your order to 800-445-8189. Telecommunication
Device for the Deaf/Telex Telephone: 800-227-4091. Automated
order system is available after office hours. Or order online at
cokesbury.com. Use your Cokesbury account, American Express,
Visa, Discover, or MasterCard.
If you have questions or comments, call Curric-U-Phone toll
free, 800-251-8591. Or e-mail [email protected].
For information concerning permission to reproduce any
material in this publication, write to Rights and Permissions, The
United Methodist Publishing House, 201 Eighth Avenue, South,
P.O. Box 801, Nashville, TN 37202-0801. You may fax your
request to 615-749-6128. Or e-mail permissions@umpublishing.
org.
Scripture quotations, unless noted otherwise, are from the
Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 by the Common
English Bible. All rights reserved. Used by permission. www.
CommonEnglishBible.com
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 — 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
PACP01267045-01
A Child’s Activity Book for Christmas
Daphna Flegal; illustrated by Mike Jaroszko
How can you help children find the true meaning of
Christmas in the midst of all the commercial hype?
By helping them find Bethlehem.
As your children read or listen to the story of Jesus’
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searching for the town of Bethlehem, Mary and
Joseph, and the shepherds. And they’ll be eager
to share the story with others and help them find
Bethlehem too.
Finding Bethlehem includes mazes, a word search,
and an Advent calendar with stickers to use
throughout the season. It’s the perfect gift for every
child between ages 4 and 10 in your congregation.
Published by
Order online at Cokesbury.com
or call 800-672-1789.
Order early—quantities are limited!
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Fall 2013
An Affordable, New
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Cokesbury.com | 800.672.1789
3/21/13 1:35 PM
4/16/13 10:30 AM
Contents
Written by Brittany Sky Stanley
2Introduction
4
Welcome to Leaper’s Pointe
UNIT 1: From Judges to Kings
5
Unit 1 Overview
7
September 1, Session 1:
Deborah
13
Hannah
19
God Calls Samuel
25
Samuel the Judge
31
Choosing a King
37
Unit 1 Reproducibles
UNIT 2: David the King
47
Unit 2 Overview
49
October 6, Session 6:
Samuel Anoints David
55October 13, Session 7:
David and Goliath
61
David Dances
67
David’s Son Builds the
Temple
73
UNIT 3: Prophets and Kings
83
Unit 3 Overview
85November 3, Session 10:
Elijah and the Ravens
91
November 10, Session 11:
Elijah and the Prophets
97
November 17, Session 12:
Elisha
103 November 24, Session 13:
Josiah/Huldah
109 Unit 3 Reproducibles
Visit GrowProclaimServe.com/
leaders to join the community
with other leaders and find
helpful weekly content and
articles.
Websites are constantly changing. Although the
websites recommended in this resource were
checked at the time this unit was developed,
we recommend that you double-check all sites
to verify that they are still live and that they
are still suitable for children before doing the
activity.
Photo/art credits—covers: logo design by Marc Whitaker, MTWdesign; background
and frog (& all frogs throughout): Shutterstock®, Julien Tromeur; cover design by
Mark Foltz and Phillip Francis; pp 1, 38, 40 (cross), 74, 75, 121: Shutterstock®; p.
4: UMPH Design dept.; pp. 10, 16, 22, 28, 34, 52, 58, 64, 70, 88, 94, 100, 106, 122,
123, 124: Diana Magnuson; pp. 11, 53, 99: Ron Benedict; pp. 46, 76, 79, 81: Patrick
Girouard, Portfolio Solutions; pp. 82, 110, 111: Alissa DeGregorio, Storybook Arts;
pp. 113, 118, 119, 120: Derrick Chow, Portfolio Solutions
Supplemental Pages
121Ministry With Special
Needs Children
122 Bible Verse Sign Language
125 Unit Songs
128 Comments From Users
SON EE LG pp1-4 front ID000.indd 1
4/16/13 10:32 AM
the DVD, you will skip “Visit Leaper’s Pointe” and
go directly to “Moving to the Bible Story.” The CDROM contains instrumental and vocal music, sheet
music with lyrics, printable lyric sheets for each
song, and PowerPoint® lyric presentations. The CDROM is found in the Early Elementary Resource Pak.
Introduction
F
irst and foremost, Grow, Proclaim, Serve is a
Bible study. Your children will hear the Bible
story, apply the Bible message, and then live out
the message in their lives in concrete and ageappropriate ways.
Each session begins with the Bible story reference
and the monthly Bible verse. Grow, Proclaim, Serve
uses one Bible verse for the entire month to give the
children the opportunity to learn the verses. Each
month the sessions also have a “Leap of Faith.” This
is the main idea for the month’s sessions.
Each session is divided into four sections. The first
section is “Grow Together.” You may use these
activities in learning centers as the children arrive
or choose one or more of theses activities to be
done with the entire group. Regardless of what you
choose, involve the child as soon as he or she enters
the room.
The second section is “Proclaim the Word.” The
first activity in this section is a transition activity to
move the children from their interest activities to
the Bible story activities.
In this section, you may choose to use
the DVD and the CD-ROM. The DVD
has the Leaper’s Pointe episode (see
page 4) for each week, as well as the
monthly music video (with lyrics),
“Leaper’s Pointe in Concert.” At the end of both the
episode and the monthly music video is the Bible
verse—written, spoken, and signed using signs from
American Sign Language. If you do not choose to use
Common English
Bible (CEB)
The CEB is the primary
Scripture resource for Grow,
Proclaim, Serve: Early Elementary
resources. Have at least
one CEB in your room for
the children to handle.
We also recommend having
a copy of the New Revised
Standard Version (NRSV) and
the Contemporary English Version
(CEV) of the Bible.
2
The third section is “Serve With Love.” In this
section the children will experience activities that
help them apply the Bible message to their lives.
The fourth section is “Worship.” Here the children
will have the opportunity to sing and praise God.
Each week you will close with prayer requests by
the children.
The reproducibles for each session are found at
the end of each unit. The reproducibles for the
five sessions in September are on pages 37–46,
after Session 5. Reproducibles for the four sessions
in October are on pages 73–82, after Session 9.
Reproducibles for the four sessions in November
are on pages 109–120, after Session 13.
In each Leader’s Guide, there is a mission project
which relates to the Bible stories. For fall, the
mission project begins in Session 6. Your children
will be collecting money for the General Board of
Global Ministries (GBGM) to help build a church
in Russia. Information about the mission project
is in Session 6. If your church or denomination is
involved in a different mission project, feel free to
substitute that project as the mission focus.
As a leader for Grow, Proclaim, Serve: Early
Elementary, you are the most important resource
for the children. Be open to sharing your own faith
with the children of God in your care.
Grow, Proclaim, Serve: Early
Elementary resources are available
in Braille on request.
Contact:
Braille Ministry,
c/o Donna Veigel
10810 N. 91st Avenue #96
Peoria AZ 85345
(623-979-7552)
GROW • Proclaim • Serve • Early Elementary Leader’s Guide
4/16/13 10:32 AM
Grow, Proclaim, Serve: Early Elementary,
Bible Story Pak (one per child, one per leader)
The Bible Story Pak involves the children in the Bible
story and provides them with a connection between the
story and real life. The colorful activities are age-level
appropriate, and Stickers for the Attendance Chart and
other activities are included.
Leader’s Guide (one per leader)
The Leader’s Guide contains step-by-step instructions
to for each session. Leaders are encouraged to choose
activities that best suit the needs of their children and
the time available. At the end of each monthly unit are
reproducible sheets that coordinate with the individual
sessions.
Resource Pak (one per group)
The Resource Pak contains interactive Bible murals,
storytelling figures, Bible verse posters, and games that
contribute to each session with the children. See the
back cover of the Resource Pak for contents.
CD-ROM (one per group)
The Early Elementary CD-ROM is part of the Resource
Pak. The CD-ROM contains six songs that are
specifically chosen for the stories this quarter. Also
included are the sheet music with lyrics, printable
lyric sheets for each song, and
PowerPoint® lyric presentations
for large groups.
Grow, Proclaim, Serve: Early
Elementary,
Fun Pak (one per child, one per
leader)
The Fun Pak is a set of quickand-easy craft activities that relate
directly to each session. These
activities are colorful, creative,
and fun. They require few outside
supplies and are aimed at the
skill level of the early-elementary
child.
Fall 2013
3
4/16/13 10:32 AM
Ernie Meeks
Welcome to
Leaper’s Pointe
L
As the mayor’s assistant, Ernie is here to learn.
Prone to make mistakes here and there, Ernie is
eager to be a leader.
Mondo Solo
egend has it that a long time ago, a very thirsty
man was walking along an unfamiliar road.
He was in need of water and kept looking for a
stream or a pond from which he could drink. From
a nearby forest, a frog jumped across the road in
front of the man. He knew that where there is a
frog, there is bound to be water. Sure enough, the
frog led him to a pond of pure clean water, fed
from a nearby spring. The man thanked God for
the strength and courage that he had been given to
continue looking for water. He was so grateful that
he decided to live on that very spot near the pond.
And so, Leaper’s Pointe was founded. Today,
Leaper’s Pointe is a town in the middle of
everywhere. Its citizens have continued to thank
God for the many blessings they have, and to
appreciate the leaps and bounds that led their
founder to water. The town is a colorful, cartoonlike
world, rich with tradition as well as humor.
Leaper’s Pointe is a place where people understand
that God loves everyone, no matter what mistakes
they might have made. All of them make mistakes.
The messes they make along the road of life and
the lessons that they learn from these mistakes
are all part of how they learn that God is the most
important thing in their lives.
The Bible is the handbook of Leaper’s Pointe. The
characters in this zany, colorful town have lots of
stories to tell and lots of experiences to share—and
they all relate to the Bible in some way. Join the
fun in Leaper’s Pointe and see how your faith can
grow in leaps and bounds as you become one of the
people of Leaper’s Pointe.
Owner of the Leaper’s Pointe theatre. A lover of
“one-man shows.” Mondo never met an audience
he didn’t like. He loves to exaggerate, but has a
heart of gold.
Furleen Finnanfeathers
Owner of the pet store, The Leaping Frog—a place
for ALL animals. You never know what animal
sounds will come out of her pet store!
Rosie
Owner of the Old Stuff shop, a place where you
can find, well…old stuff. She is the wise voice of
Leaper’s Pointe.
Papa B
Owner of The Bookworm, Leaper’s Pointe’s
bookstore. He is a gentle soul who loves to read. He
and Rosie grew up together.
Gabby Gabbler
Gabby is in charge of the Leaper’s Pointe garden.
She loves to grow things. She has a very sunny
disposition and a green thumb.
Harley and Farley
The twins. Hard to tell apart. These mischievous
and competitive brothers like to show up out of
nowhere and keep things lively in Leaper’s Pointe.
The People of Leaper’s Pointe
Leaper
A descendant of the original inhabitants of Leaper’s
Pointe. Leaper is a hip toad with a cool outlook.
Better pay attention!
The Mayor
Merrilee McAfee is a second-generation female
leader of Leaper’s Pointe. She leads with “hearts and
smarts,” and is strong and courageous.
4
4/16/13 10:32 AM
Unit 1
From Judges to Kings
Bible Verse
Speak, LORD. Your servant is listening. (1 Samuel 3:9)
Leap of Faith
I am called to be a servant of God.
In this unit
Session 1,
September 1
Deborah
Bible story:
Judges 4:4-16; 5:1-31
CD-ROM
Session 2,
September 8
Hannah
Bible story:
1 Samuel 1:1–2:11,
18-21
Serving
• Instrumental and sung
version available
• Music sheet with lyrics
• Printable lyrics
• PowerPoint® lyrics
Session 4,
September 22
Samuel the Judge
Bible story:
1 Samuel 7:2-17
Session 5,
September 29
Choosing a King
Bible story:
1 Samuel 8:1-22;
10:17-24
Leap of Faith
(theme song)
version available
• Music sheet with lyrics
Leaper’s Pointe (DVD)
Session 1: The
mayor is helping
the townspeople
of Leaper’s
Pointe solve their
problems. Before
she helps, she asks
God for help with
this prayer: Wake
up, wake up! Sing
a song. Shine like
the sun all day long.
God is with us every
day. Let’s serve,
listen and obey.
Session 3,
September 15
God Calls Samuel
Bible story:
1 Samuel 3:1-10
Session 2:
Everyone in
Leaper’s Pointe
is saying what he
or she is thankful
for—everyone
except Farley.
Farley wants to
be thankful for a
new puppy, but he
doesn’t have one.
The mayor helps
Farley learn more
about prayer and
being thankful.
Session 3: Furleen
is trying to teach her
new parrot to talk,
without much success.
When Furleen goes to
sleep that night, she
keeps hearing someone
calling her name.
Furleen goes to Rosie,
thinking that Rosie is
calling her. But Rosie
tells Furleen that she
didn’t call her, and to
go back to bed. Can
you guess who’s calling
Furleen’s name?
Session 4: The
mayor has lost her
reminder rock. It
must have fallen
out of a hole in
her pocket. When
Farley finds the
rock by tripping
over it, Rosie tells
Farley the story of
a rock that Samuel
named Ebenezer,
which means
“stone of help.”
Session 5: Furleen
wants an emperor
penguin so that The
Leaping Frog is like
the pet store in the
neighboring town.
Papa B tries to talk her
out of it because he
knows it will be more
trouble than Furleen
thinks. But Furleen
is sure she wants the
penguin. After
it arrives, however,
she finds out Papa B
was right!
Leaper’s Pointe in Concert (DVD)
• Serving
Fall 2013
SON EE LG pp5-6 IN01A.indd 5
• Leap of Faith
(theme song)
Unit 1
5
4/16/13 10:32 AM
Supplies
The Basics
Bible
box of tissues
card stock
CD player
chenille stems (variety of
colors)
colored copy paper
colored tissue paper
computer & printer
construction paper
cotton balls
cotton swabs
craft sticks
crayons
crepe paper streamers
DVD player
gluesticks
index cards
lunch-sized paper bags
markers (watercolor and
permanent)
newsprint
offering basket
paint
paintbrushes
paper clips
paper or plastic table
coverings
paper bowls
paper cups
paper plates (variety of
sizes and weights)
paper punch
pencils
plastic drinking straws
posterboard
projector or television
recycled newspaper
resealable plastic bags
ribbon (variety of widths)
scissors
smocks
stapler, staples
tape (clear, masking)
television
washable paint
watercolor paints
wooden craft sticks
yarn
Beyond the Basics
Session 1
empty water bottles
pony beads
funnel
basket
building blocks
for “Edible Palm
Trees”: orange
slices (four per
child), kiwi slices
(six per child),
banana slices (six
per child)
Session 2
basket
bubble solution
bubble wand for
each child
Session 3
metal spoons
Session 4
safety pins
magnets
cookie sheet
a s tone for each
child
Session 5
a chair per child
for “Serve Your
Neighbor”:
cupcakes,
napkins, spoons,
cups, plates, water
or juice
Tips for Teachers
The CD-ROM will play
music in a CD player.
6
Fall 2013
View the end of each
Leaper’s Pointe episode
or music video several
times to learn the Bible
verse using signs from
American Sign Language.
There is a snack
suggested in both
Sessions 1 and 5. Please
check your classes’
allergies before serving.
4/16/13 10:32 AM
Deborah
Session 1
Bible Verse
Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening. (1 Samuel 3:9)
September 1
Bible Story
Judges 4:4-16; 5:1-31
Leap of Faith
Before You Begin
T
he story of Deborah occurs during a period of time about 1200 years before
Jesus was born, when the Israelite tribes were governed by judges. Deborah
is identified in this story as judge and prophetess, following the reign of Ehud.
She was a wise leader and a great woman. She is presented with a phrase that is
normally translated to mean “wife of Lappidoth,” but many scholars also think
this means “fiery woman” or “spirited woman.”
Deborah listens to God and she is called to commission Barak, the Israelites’
military leader, to lead the Israelites into battle against King Jabin of Canaan
and his military leader, Sisera. Barak is not willing to go unless Deborah agrees
to go with him. Deborah agrees to help and tells Barak that God will give them
a victory through the help of a woman. The narrative account of this battle is
found in Judges chapter four.
Check out
GrowProclaimServe.com/
leaders to connect with
other leaders, download
additional content for the
quarter, and read weekly
articles.
Following the narrative account of this story, we are given a poetic song sung by
Deborah and Barak. The song is one of thanksgiving. God has blessed the tribes
of Israel and their friends. They praise God for the victory and for the warriors.
Their song is a great example of remembering that our blessings come from God,
trusting what God tells us, and taking action. The song also gives us another
account of the battle.
God raises up a woman to lead the people of God at a time when women were
not viewed as leaders. Deborah didn’t let anything keep her from listening to and
following God. She was a wise woman who helped resolve conflict, gave advice
to God’s people, and cared for the Israelites. In chapter five, Deborah is called a
“mother in Israel.”
Deborah teaches all of us that if we trust God, we can all be servants of God.
Requires
preparation.
Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only. © 2013 Cokesbury.
Fall 2013
SON EE LG pp7-12 ID001.indd 7
Session 1
7
4/16/13 10:38 AM
Grow Together
The following activities may be done in learning centers as the children arrive or
may be done with the entire group.
Welcome
Supplies: Bible, Stickers, Resource Pak, CD-ROM, CD player, offering basket
• Greet each parent and child. Play music (CD-ROM) as they arrive.
• Show the children where to place their offerings on the worship table.
• Have the Bible open to Judges 4 or 5.
• Give each child a Sticker of a palm tree to put on the Attendance Chart
(Resource Pak—pp. 2 and 23).
Praise Shakers
Supplies: Stickers, empty water bottles, beads, ribbon, bowls, funnel, glue, scissors
Cut ribbon into one-foot pieces. Let the children choose a few each.
• Pour an assortment of beads into bowls so the children can choose the beads
they’d like for their bottles.
• Pass out one water bottle to each child.
• Let the children add a handful of beads inside their water bottles. The children
can take turns using the funnel to get the beads inside their bottles, if needed.
Add glue to the cap, and screw the cap back onto the bottle.
TIP
Encourage all of the
children to make Praise
Shakers. They will be
asked to use the Praise
Shakers during Moving
With the Bible Story.
• Help the children tie ribbons around the bottles to decorate them.
• Have each child add the “I Can Serve God!” Sticker to her or his bottle.
• Put the Praise Shakers aside. The children will be asked to use them during
the Bible story.
SAY: Today our Bible story is about a woman named Deborah who sang a
song of praise to God for the wonderful things God had done for her and her
friends. We can praise God, too, for the great things we are all given.
TIP
You can use plastic
baby food jars instead
of water bottles for this
craft.
Bible Puzzlers
Supplies: Bible Story Pak, crayons or markers
• Give each child “I Can Praise God” and “Stop Sisera!” (Bible Story Pak—
Session 1, pp. 3–4).
• Help the children choose words from the Word Bank on page 3 to fill in their
worksheets. They will choose one name for God and some things they are
thankful for.
• Encourage the children to turn their pages over. They will see a maze.
• Have the children help Deborah and Barak get to the mountains to stop Sisera.
SAY: Deborah praised God for taking care of her family and friends, the
Israelites. We can praise God for all the wonderful blessings we receive too.
8
September 1
4/16/13 10:38 AM
Bible Story Center
Supplies: Bible Story Pak
• Give each child the story, “Deborah” (Bible Story Pak—Session 1, pp. 1–2).
Show each child how to fold the page in half to create a storybook.
• Read the story as the children follow along in their books. If you are using the
storybook in a story center, read the story to three children at a time. If you
have readers, let them read the story to you.
ASK: Who was the judge of Israel? (Deborah) What did Deborah do as the
judge? (She helped the people of Israel to know God and know what God wanted
them to do.) Where did Deborah sit to help the Israelites? (under a palm tree)
How did Deborah serve God? (She helped the Israelites.)
Wise Words
Supplies: Fun Pak, glue, one nine-inch piece of yarn for each child, scissors, paper
punch
Cut yarn into nine-inch pieces and give one piece to each child.
• Give each child the page, “Wise Words” (Fun Pak—p. 3). Help the children
punch out the Bible verse, the blue frame, the two palm trees, and the holes
where the yarn will be tied.
• Show them how to glue God’s wise words, this month’s Bible verse, to the blue
rectangle along with the two palm trees.
• Help them thread a piece of yarn through the holes on the blue rectangle.
Instruct them to tie a knot above each hole so they can hang God’s wise words
in their homes.
SAY: Deborah was very wise. Lots of people would come to her for advice. She
listened to God, and that is how she knew how to help her friends. Who do
you listen to when you need help? How can you hear God’s wise words today?
I Can Be a Leader
Supplies: Resource Pak, bowl or basket
Gather “‘I Can Be a Leader’ Cards” (Resource Pak—p. 5). Put them in a
bowl or basket.
• Have the children take turns drawing out a picture of different kinds of
leaders.
• Encourage the child to act out the leader pictured on the card. Each child
could choose a president, teacher, business person, judge, farmer, police chief,
news anchor, librarian, fire chief, doctor, mail carrier, or nurse.
• Let the other children guess who the child is pretending to be.
Say: Deborah was the judge of Israel. A judge was a leader. Deborah led the
Israelites by listening to God and helping the people of Israel listen too. She
was a servant of God. We can be God’s servants too!
Fall 2013
Session 1
9
4/16/13 10:38 AM
Proclaim the Word
Deborah, May I?
• Have the children line up against a wall opposite of where you will read the
Bible story. You will play “Deborah,” and you will need to be standing in the
Bible story center.
Say: Today we are going to play, “Deborah, May I?” This game is very similar
to “Mother, May I?”
• Announce that you will be “Deborah.” Give directions to the children one at a
time. For example, “Lily, you may take one step forward.”
• Wait for the player to respond. If she says, “Deborah, may I?” answer either,
“Yes, you may” or “No, you may not.”
• Make sure the child asks the question and follows your instructions. If she or
he doesn’t, tell the player that she or he must go back to the wall.
• Continue giving commands to the children in any order that you choose.
• Play until all of the children have made it to you, “Deborah,” and into the
Bible story center.
Say: The Israelites would come to Deborah’s palm tree and ask Deborah to
help them decide what they should do. We’ll hear more about this in our story
today.
Visit Leaper’s Pointe
Supplies: DVD, DVD player, television
• Play the theme song from Leaper’s Pointe in Concert, “Leap of Faith” (DVD).
Have the children do the motions suggested in the chorus.
• Show the children the Leaper’s Pointe video for today’s session (DVD).
SAY: The mayor is helping the townspeople of Leaper’s Pointe solve their
problems. Before she helps, she asks God for help with this prayer: “Wake up,
wake up! Sing a song. Shine like the sun all day long. God is with us every
day. Let’s serve, listen and obey.”
• Show today’s Leaper’s Pointe in Concert, “Serving” (DVD). Have the children
sign the Bible verse at the end of the DVD episode.
Serve
Moving With the Bible Story
Supplies: Reproducible 1a, Praise Shakers made earlier (p. 8)
• Read the Bible story, “Deborah,” to the children (Reproducible 1a).
• After the story, let the children take turns sharing a praise song using their
Praise Shakers. What kind of song would they play for God?
Ask: How did Deborah help her friends? How did she help God?
10
September 1
4/16/13 10:38 AM
Learn the Bible Verse
Supplies: Resource Pak, Praise Shakers made earlier (p. 8)
• Point to the Bible verse poster (Resource Pak—p. 3). Say the Bible verse to
the children: “Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:9).
• Have the children repeat the verse with you. Break the verse into smaller
groups of words at first until they can say the whole verse with you.
• Sing the song, “God, Your Servant Is Listening” (see column at right). Sing it
several times so the children become familiar with the words. The children
can shake their Praise Shakers throughout the song.
Palm-Tree Relay
Supplies: building blocks
• Divide the children into pairs. Give each pair of children enough blocks to
build a small palm tree.
SaY: Deborah and Barak had to work together to do what God asked them. We
are going to work together to build Deborah’s palm tree. Let’s see how fast you
can build Deborah’s palm!
“God, Your Servant Is
Listening”
(Tune of “London
Bridge”)
God, your servant is
listening,
listening,
listening.
listening.
Help me to hear.
listening,
listening,
listening.
listening.
Help me to serve.
• Let the children build their palm trees. Once each group is finished, give each
pair the opportunity to show their tree to the other groups.
Say: You all were just like Deborah and Barak. We can be servants of God by
working together.
Serve With Love
Edible Palm Trees
Supplies: orange slices, kiwi slices, banana slices, paper plates, napkins, knife (for
adult use only), hand-washing supplies
Before the children arrive, slice enough oranges, kiwis, and bananas to make
a palm tree for each child (see directions below).
SAY: We are going to make a delicious palm tree out of oranges, kiwis, and
bananas, just like the palm tree Deborah sat under. Let’s all wash our hands,
and then we will make our palm trees.
TIP
As with any food
activity, check for
allergies the children
may have. Let the
parents know what
food items are being
used today.
• Let the children take turns washing their hands before you pass out the fruit.
• Hand out a paper plate to each child. Give each child six banana slices. Show
the child how to make the palm tree trunk using the slices of banana.
• Give each child six kiwi slices. Show the child how to make to make the palm
tree branches using the slices of kiwi.
[Amelia: Picture of the
Edible Palm Tree--B.,
where does she get
this from?]
• Give each child four orange slices. Show the child how to make the sand the
palm tree is in using the orange slices.
• Enjoy the snack!
Fall 2013
Session 1
11
4/16/13 10:38 AM
Praise Paintings
Supplies: Reproducible 1b, paint, paintbrushes, smocks or old T-shirts, bowls
Make a photocopy of “Praise Painting” (Reproducible 1b) for each child.
• Pass out copies of the Praise Painting page, paintbrushes, and smocks.
• Pour a little of each color of paint into its own bowl.
• Encourage the children to paint a picture of something they are thankful for.
TIP
Instead of paint, use
crayons or markers to
make less of a mess.
Say: In our story, Deborah helped a friend. What was her friend’s name?
(Barak) After Deborah helped Barak face Sisera and his army, what did they
do? (sang a song to God) Deborah served God by helping God’s people and by
praising God. We can be God’s servants too!
Worship
Praise and Prayer
TIP
• Invite the children to sit in a circle.
• Sing, “The Doxology” (see column at right). The children should be familiar
with this song. If they are not, tell them that “The Doxology” is a hymn that
we hear a lot in worship (“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”). It’s a
song that people have been singing for hundreds of years.
SAY: We can praise God each and every day, in any way we want. We are
showing our love for God when we praise God. God loves to hear our praise!
• Invite the children to form a Praise-and-Prayer Circle by holding each other’s
hands and standing in a circle. Say a small prayer for each child in the Praiseand-Prayer Circle.
• Ask the children if there is someone else for whom they would like to pray.
Pray for that person(s).
• Send home the Bible storybook, “Deborah” (Bible Story Pak—Session 1,
pp. 1–2), with each child.
• Invite the children to Sunday school next week and tell the children that you
will pray for them during the week.
If your church sings
“The Doxology” a
bit differently, sing it
the way your church
would sing it. This is
meant to familiarize
your children with
elements of worship.
“The Doxology”
(“Praise God, from
Whom All Blessings
Flow”)
Praise God, from
whom all blessings
flow;
praise him, all
creatures here below;
praise him above, ye
heavenly host;
Plan for Next Week
Photocopy “Prayer Beads” for each child (Reproducible 2b). Remove the Bible
Story Pak and Fun Pak pages for Session 2. You will need bubble solution and
bubble blowers for the “Breath Prayers With Bubbles” activity (p. 16), and one
strip of paper per child for the “Prayer Partners” activity (p. 17).
praise Father, Son, and
Holy Ghost.
Amen.
12
September 1
4/16/13 10:38 AM
Hannah
Session 2
Bible Verse
September 8
Bible Story
1 Samuel 1:1–2:11, 18-21
Leap of Faith
Before You Begin
T
he Books of Samuel tell the story of Israel’s transition from being led by
judges to being ruled by kings. The first story in this transition begins with
Hannah and her prayer for a child.
Hannah, wife of Elkanah, could not have children. Elkanah also was married to
Peninnah, who had many children. Peninnah would taunt Hannah for not being
able to have any children. This upset Hannah so much that our Scripture says
Hannah would cry and wouldn’t eat anything.
Every year Elkanah would take their whole family to Shiloh to the temple
to make their offering to God and eat the sacrificial meal. On this particular
journey to the temple, Hannah got up in the middle of the meal and went to
pray. She was very upset because she really wanted a child and prayed to God as
she cried. She asked God to give her a son and to remember her. In return, she
would dedicate her son to the service of God. Hannah was praying so fervently
that the priest, Eli, thought she was drunk! After Hannah explains she is just
very upset and praying, Eli blesses her and the vow she has made to God.
We know this story ends with the birth and dedication of Samuel. Hannah got
what she prayed for. That isn’t always the case when we pray. The lesson that
is most important in this story is that we can pray to God at anytime and for
anything. Hannah prayed and prayed and prayed. Her heart prayed, her body
prayed, her lips prayed, her breath prayed, her whole self prayed. God wants
us to pray about the things that make us happy and upset. God wants to be in
relation with us, and Hannah gives us a model on how to do that through prayer.
Requires
preparation.
Fall 2013
Session 2
13
4/16/13 10:39 AM
Grow Together
Welcome
• Have the Bible open to 1 Samuel 1.
• Give each child the Sticker of the praying hands to put on the Attendance
Chart (Resource Pak—pp. 2 and 23).
Prayer Beads
Supplies: Reproducible 2b, yarn, crayons or markers, safety scissors, paper punch
Photocopy “Prayer Beads” (Reproducible 2b) for each child, and cut a piece
of yarn about two-feet long for each child.
• Invite the children to draw something they are thankful for, need prayers for,
are sorry for, or people they want to pray for on each “bead.”
• Help them cut out the bead circles and the cross.
• Using a paper punch, help them punch out holes on each bead and on the
cross on the X’s.
• Help them string their beads and cross onto their piece of yarn. Help them tie
knots behind the first bead and the cross (the cross will go on last).
SAY: Today we are going to hear a story about a woman named Hannah.
Hannah wanted a baby, and so she prayed to God. We can pray to God for
anything. Our prayer beads will help us remember to say our prayers to God.
Bible Puzzlers
• Give each child “What Did Hannah Say?” and “What Does a Baby Need?”
(Bible Story Pak—Session 2, pp. 3–4).
• Tell the children to use the decoder on the bottom left of page 3 to fill in the
missing letters from Hannah’s prayer.
Bible Story Pak—
Session 2, p. 4
Seven items: bottle,
bib, pacifier, blanket,
rattle, diaper, stroller
• Encourage the children to turn their pages over. Tell them there are seven
things on the page of items that a baby needs. Have them find and circle all
seven items.
SAY: In our story today, Hannah prays for a baby boy. Babies need a lot of love
and help. Do any of you have any experience with babies? What do they need?
What do babies do?
14
September 8
4/16/13 10:39 AM
Bible Story Center
Supplies: Bible Story Pak, Stickers
• Give each child the story, “Hannah” (Bible Story Pak—Session 2, pp. 1–2).
storybook in a story center, read the story to three children at a time. Help the
children identify simple words in the story. If you have readers, let them read
the story to you.
• Invite them to add Hannah’s praying hands (Stickers) to page 1 of the story.
ASK: Why was Hannah so sad? (She didn’t have any children.) What did
Hannah do when she was at the temple? (She prayed to God for a baby boy.)
We can all say prayers to God anytime, anywhere. What are some things you
pray to God about? (Answers will vary.)
Praying Hands
Supplies: Fun Pak, crayons or markers, yarn, scissors
• Give each child the page, “Praying Hands” (Fun Pak—p. 5).
• Have the children punch out the two pieces. They may color the hands
whatever color they would like.
• Help each child tie a piece of yarn onto one of the hands.
• Have each child tie the other end of the yarn to the other hand.
• Read the Bible verse on the hands to the children.
SAY: Hannah prayed to God. We can pray to God in many ways. One way we
can pray is to put our hands together, just like our craft.
Proclaim the Word
God Can Hear Our Prayers
• Invite the children to the Bible story center. Have them sit in a circle.
• Start with one child and whisper one of the phrases below into his or her ear.
Have that child whisper the same phrase into the ear of the child to his or her
left, and continue around the circle until the last child is told the phrase. Then
have the last child say what he or she heard out loud to see how close it was
to the original phrase.
Phrases:
• God loves you.
• God will always hear our prayers.
• It makes Jesus very happy when we pray.
• We can pray anytime—morning, noon, or night.
Fall 2013
Session 2
15
4/16/13 10:39 AM
SAY: While we played the game, sometimes it was hard to hear what our
friends were saying. But God can always hear what we are saying when we
pray. Today we will hear a story about when Hannah prayed in her heart, and
God heard her loud and clear.
SAY: Everyone in Leaper’s Pointe is saying what he or she is thankful for—
everyone except Farley. Farley wants to be thankful for a new puppy, but he
doesn’t have one. The mayor helps Farley learn more about prayer and being
thankful.
sign the Bible verse with the DVD at the end of the episode.
Supplies: Reproducible 2a, Resource Pak
Photocopy the Bible story, “Hannah” (Reproducible 2a), and gather the
“Types of Prayers You Can Do” poster (Resource Pak—p. 12).
• Read the Bible story, “Hannah” (Reproducible 2a), to the children.
• Sing the song, “Hannah Prayed,” to the tune of “Jingle Bells” at the end of the
story (and in the column at right)
• Show the children the poster. Talk about the different ways we can pray.
ASK: What did Hannah pray for? When can we pray? What can we pray
about?
Supplies: Resource Pak
several times so the children become familiar with the words.
Breath Prayers With Bubbles
Supplies: bubble solution, bubble wand for each child
• Pass out a bubble wand to each child.
Say: There are many ways we can pray to God. We can pray by putting our
hands together or by putting our hands in the air or by singing or by dancing
Serve
“Hannah Prayed”
(Tune of “Jingle Bells”)
Hannah prayed.
Hannah prayed.
Hannah said her
prayers!
She knew God would
hear her prayers, so
this is what she did.
Hannah prayed.
Hannah prayed.
Hannah said her
prayers!
We can all say prayers
to God. God will
always hear.
Listening”
(Tune of “London
Bridge”)
listening,
listening,
listening.
listening.
Help me to hear.
listening,
listening,
listening.
listening.
Help me to serve.
16
September 8
4/16/13 10:39 AM
or even breathing. We are going to pray by breathing into bubbles! When you
blow into the wand, blow your prayer inside of it. For example, I am thankful
for (something you are thankful for). While I blow a bubble, I will think about
(thing you are thankful for) and send my prayer in this bubble to God.
• Give the children time to think about their prayers.
• Let the children blow bubbles for awhile. Talk to them about the prayers
Hannah prayed.
Say: God loves when we pray. When we pray, we are talking to God as a
friend. We can tell God about the good things, the sad things, the things we
are thankful for, and the things we need. God will always listen.
Serve With Love
Prayer Partners
Supplies: strips of paper, pen or marker, basket or bowl, scissors
Cut one strip of paper for each child.
• Write the name of each child on a strip of paper.
• Fold the strips in half, and place them in a basket or bowl.
SAY: We can serve God by praying for others. Today we will draw the name
of one of our classmates, and say a prayer for that friend. It is important to
pray for our friends, our family, and even people we don’t know. The prayers
we pray for others are called Intercessory Prayers. That just means you say a
prayer for someone else who needs a prayer.
• One at a time, let the children draw a name. If the child draws her or his own
name, ask the child to draw a different strip out of the basket or bowl.
• Let the children find a place around the room where they would like to pray.
• Remind them that there are many ways to pray, and encourage them to pray
how they feel most comfortable.
• At the end of their prayers, say the following prayer together in a circle.
SAY: Dear God, thank you for the blessings you have given each of us. Help
us celebrate together. Be with us in the hard things. Help us work through
them together. As we continue our week, help us to feel your loving presence.
Amen.
Movement Prayer
Dear God,
(hands together)
thank you
(jump with joy)
for the sun, the moon,
(arms form a circle
overhead)
and the stars;
(index fingers point
where stars would be at
night)
for winter,
(arms across chest and
shake as if you were
cold)
spring,
(stretch arms like you
just woke up)
summer,
(fan yourself from the
heat)
and fall;
(make branches, then
let your hands move
towards the ground like
leaves)
for the birds in the air
(flap your arms like
wings)
and the fish in the sea;
(make fish face)
for dogs and cats that
keep me company;
(make whiskers with
your fingers)
for friends and family
that bring me joy.
(hug yourself)
All of these things
bless me.
(make a huge smile)
Movement Prayer
Supplies: CD-ROM, CD player
Say: Our Bible story tells us that Hannah prayed with her whole body. Did
you know we can pray with our bodies too? We can add movements to the
words we say, or we can just do movements that mean something to us. We
can say, “Thank you, God!” and jump into the air in excitement. What else
might you do when you say, “Thank you, God!”?
Help me bless
everything I see.
(point to the children)
Amen.
(hands back together)
Fall 2013
Session 2
17
4/16/13 10:39 AM
• Come up with a Movement Prayer together by taking turns saying something
you are thankful for with a movement to illustrate the thing you are thankful
for, or use the suggested prayer provided (column on right of previous page).
Take turns repeating the words and movements.
• Play the CD-ROM and let the children dance a prayer to the music. Remind
the children that God knows what our hearts are saying, even if we don’t say
words.
Worship
Praise and Prayer
hands and standing in a circle.
• Say a small prayer for each child in the Praise-and-Prayer Circle.
• Send home this week’s Bible storybook, “Hannah” (Bible Story Pak—
Session 2, pp. 1–2), with each child.
TIP
the way your church
your children with
“The Doxology”
Whom All Blessings
Flow”)
Praise God, from
whom all blessings
flow;
praise him, all
Plan for Next Week
Preview the DVD segment for Session 3. Photocopy “Samuel’s Mat”
(Reproducible 3b) for each child. Cut many 1 inch (wide)-by-8 inches (long)
strips of construction paper for the activity. Remove the Bible Story Pak and Fun
Pak pages for Session 3. You will need at least one metal spoon for the “Sound
Waves” activity (p. 23).
heavenly host;
Holy Ghost.
Amen.
18
September 8
4/16/13 10:39 AM
God Calls Samuel
Bible Verse
Session 3
September 15
Bible Story
1 Samuel 3:1-10
Leap of Faith
Before You Begin
L
ast week we heard the story of Hannah and her prayer for a baby boy. We will
continue the story of that baby today. Samuel has now gotten old enough to
work in the temple and will be apprenticing with the priest, Eli.
Right before this story, Eli encounters an unknown prophet who tells Eli that his
children are not doing right by God. Eli is told his family will no longer be in
charge of the temple.
The traditional use of this text by the church has almost always been to illustrate
a story of God’s call and how we sometimes fail to recognize that call. God
comes to Samuel in the middle of the night, in a time when “the Lord’s word was
rare.” This is the first prophetic encounter that Samuel will have. Samuel runs
to Eli when he hears his name being called out. It takes Eli’s understanding and
naming the voice, God, for Samuel to respond to the call.
This story also illustrates that God calls all into servanthood. Samuel, according
to biblical scholars, would have only been around twelve years old. A young
boy was being asked to lead God’s people and to be God’s mouthpiece for the
Israelites.
The children in your Sunday school class may not understand what it means
to hear God’s call. This story becomes very abstract when you try to relate it
to today. We do not hear stories very often of God audibly speaking. As adults,
we understand that God uses the Holy Spirit to direct us. It may come from the
lyrics of a song, the advice of a friend, a painting, or a plethora of other sources,
and as adults, this makes sense. For the children in your class, talk to them
about Samuel’s experience. Help them think through how they would feel if they
were Samuel. The most important thing for them to learn from this story is that
God asks us, no matter our age, to help. That’s what serving God is, and that’s
what Samuel does.
Requires
preparation.
Fall 2013
Session 3
19
4/16/13 10:47 AM
Grow Together
Welcome
• Give each child the Sticker of the lamp to put on the Attendance Chart
Samuel’s Mat
Supplies: Reproducible 3b, 1 inch (wide)-by-8 inches (long) strips of construction
paper, glue, safety scissors
Photocopy and trim “Samuel’s Mat” (Reproducible 3b) for each child, and
cut 1-by-8 strips of construction paper to weave through the mat.
• Pass out a copy of “Samuel’s Mat” and a pair of scissors to each child. Help the
children fold the mat up, hot-dog-bun style, on the center dotted line. While
the paper is folded, instruct them to cut the solid lines on the paper, starting
at the fold, but stopping where each line ends.
• Have them open the papers back up. With the longer sides of the paper at
the top and bottom, tell the children to take one paper strip and weave it
horizontally across the slits, going over and under the slits.
TIP
Encourage everyone to
make a mat. They will
be used for the “God
Calls You By Name”
game (p. 21), and to
sit on during “Moving
With the Bible Story”
(p. 22).
• Have each child push the woven strip to the top and start with another one.
The second strip should be woven in an opposite pattern as the first. If the
first paper strip goes over and under across the slits, the second strip should
go under and over the slits.
• Have the children weave more paper strips in an alternating pattern until the
paper mat is full.
• Have them apply glue at the ends of each paper strip, both on the front and
back, and glue the ends to the mat page to keep the mat together.
SAY: Samuel was sound asleep in the temple on a mat when he heard a voice
calling out his name. We will find out who was calling Samuel and what
Samuel did in today’s Bible story.
Bible Puzzlers
• Give each child “Samuel’s Listening Ears” and the “God Calls Samuel” word
find (Bible Story Pak—Session 3, pp. 3–4).
• Encourage the children to draw Samuel’s ears on page 3 so that Samuel can
hear what God is saying to him, then color the picture.
20
September 15
4/16/13 10:47 AM
• Encourage the children to turn their pages over. Help the children find the ten
words that are hidden in the puzzle. The words will not be spelled diagonally,
only top to bottom or side to side (forwards or backwards).
Bible Story Center
• Give each child the story, “God Calls Samuel” (Bible Story Pak—Session 3,
pp. 1–2). Fold the page in half to make a book.
the story to you.
• Show the children the temple where Samuel served God. Invite the children to
add the four lamp Stickers to the scene on page 2 of the story.
ASK: Who did Samuel think was calling him in the night? (Eli) Who was
really calling Samuel? (God) What did Samuel say to God? (Speak, Lord.
Your servant is listening.) God calls each of us. In this story, Samuel hears a
voice. God doesn’t always speak to us in a voice. Sometimes God speaks to
us through a friend or through a sermon or through music. God talks to us in
many ways.
Samuel’s Lamp
Supplies: Fun Pak, tape, glue
• Give each child the page, “Samuel’s Lamp” (Fun Pak—p. 7). Have the
children punch out both pieces.
• Help the children separate the perforations along the middle of the large
rectangle.
• Fold the large rectangle up, hot-dog-bun style, then unfold the large rectangle.
This will give the lamp a more round shape, instead of flat.
• Roll the rectangle, matching up the X’s. Use tape to hold the lamp in place.
• Glue the skinny rectangle to the top of the lantern for a handle.
SAY: Samuel was serving in the temple. He helped Eli. One of the jobs Samuel
probably had was to refill the lamps with oil and to keep the lamps burning
all through the night. We can remember to serve, or help, God when we see
Samuel’s lamp.
Proclaim the Word
God Calls You By Name
Supplies: Samuel’s Mat crafts made earlier (p. 20)
• Gather the finished “Samuel’s Mat” crafts. Lay them out in the Bible story
center in a circle.
Fall 2013
Session 3
21
4/16/13 10:47 AM
• Call out the children by name, one at a time, to the story center. You may ask
them to hop to their mats, crawl to their mats, take tiny steps to their mats, or
any other fun way of getting to their mats.
• Have the children sit on their mats.
SAY: I called your name, just like God called Samuel’s name. God called
Samuel because God wanted Samuel’s help. Have you ever helped someone?
(Allow time for the children to take turns talking about times they have helped
someone.) When we help others, we are being God’s servants. God wants us to
help others.
SAY: Furleen is trying to teach her new parrot to talk, without much success.
When Furleen goes to sleep that night, she keeps hearing someone calling her
name. Furleen goes to Rosie, thinking that Rosie is calling her. But Rosie tells
Furleen that she didn’t call her, and to go back to bed. Can you guess who’s
calling Furleen’s name?
Serve
Supplies: Reproducible 3a, Resource Pak, blocks or small boxes, tape
Gather the five Storytelling Figures of the Temple, sleeping Eli, sleeping
Samuel, Eli, and Samuel (Resource Pak—p. 8). Tape them to blocks or boxes.
You will use the figures to tell the story.
• Read the Bible story, “God Calls Samuel” (Reproducible 3a), to the children.
Encourage the children to make movements with you as you tell the story.
Ask: If you were Samuel, what would you have said to God? (Allow time
for the children to take turns talking about what they would say.) What facial
expression do you think Samuel made when he heard God calling him? (Allow
time for the children to take turns making Samuel’s facial expression.) What
facial expression would you make? (Allow time for the children to take turns
making their facial expressions.)
Listening”
(Tune of “London
Bridge”)
listening,
listening,
listening.
listening.
Help me to hear.
listening,
listening,
listening.
listening.
Help me to serve.
• Have the children repeat the verse with you. Break the Bible verse into smaller
22
September 15
4/16/13 10:47 AM
• Sing the song, “God, Your Servant Is Listening” (column on right of previous
page). Sing it several times so the children become familiar with the words.
Sound Waves
Supplies: metal spoon, thirty inches of string, table
• Help the child tie the handle of the spoon in the middle of the string.
• Have the child wrap the ends of the string around her or his index (pointer)
fingers.
TIP
• Have the child place his or her fingers in his or her ears.
• Instruct the child to lean over so that the spoon hangs freely, and have the
child swing the spoon so it taps against the table.
• Encourage the child to hit the table again, this time harder.
• If the children are taking turns, have the next child follow the same
instructions.
Depending on the
number of children
you have, you can have
a spoon per child or a
spoon for each group
of three children.
Say: What did you hear? Was it a soft sound like a bell and then a louder
sound like a church bell? The sound came because the spoon vibrated, causing
sound waves to travel up the string and into your ears. When we hear sounds,
there are sound waves traveling through our ear canals to our eardrums.
When someone calls our names, we are hearing the vibrations the noise made.
Samuel heard God through sound waves too.
Serve With Love
Listening Cones
Supplies: construction paper, glue or tape, table
• Let each child pick out a piece of paper for the cone. Have the child set the
paper on the table in front of him or her, with the shorter sides of the paper
horizontal (at top and bottom) and the longer sides vertical (on the sides).
• Instruct each child to turn the paper to the left so a corner is directly in front
of her or him. (The paper will be diamond-shaped.)
• Starting with the corner closest to the child (at the bottom), help the child roll
the paper away from him or her, and continue rolling towards the opposite
corner.
• Help the children form the cones. One end of the cone should be tighter, and
the other end should be wider. Each child can hold the top part of the cone
and twist it to the right to make the bottom opening smaller, or twist the top
of the cone to the left to make it larger. When the cone is the size the child
wants, the child can glue or tape the cone in place.
SAY: Samuel listened to God and did what was asked of him. We must also
listen for God. God may not talk to us the way we talk to each other, but our
Listening Cones will remind us to listen for God. What are some ways we can
hear God today? (through Bible stories, through our friends or family members,
through music, through sermons, through prayer, and so forth)
Fall 2013
Session 3
23
4/16/13 10:47 AM
Rhythm Repeat
• Have the children form a circle by holding hands. Have them drop hands and
sit cross-legged on the floor.
SAY: I want to test your listening skills, now that we have learned so much
about listening. I am going to clap and tap a rhythm. I want you to repeat
what I do.
• Come up with a short rhythm incorporating clapping and tapping your knees.
• When you are finished, ask the children to repeat your rhythm.
• Do this a few times through.
TIP
Worship
Praise and Prayer
• Send home the storybook, “God Calls Samuel” (Bible Story Pak—Session 3,
the way your church
your children with
“The Doxology”
Whom All Blessings
Flow”)
Praise God, from
whom all blessings
flow;
praise him, all
heavenly host;
Holy Ghost.
Amen.
Plan for Next Week
Preview the DVD segment for Session 4. Photocopy “Architect Drawing”
(Reproducible 4b) for each child. Remove the Bible Story Pak and the Fun
Pak pages for Session 4, and the Storytelling Figures of Samuel, Ebenezer, the
Israelites, and the Philistines (Resource Pak—p. 17). You will need one stone for
each child to paint for the “Paint Your Own Ebenezer” activity (p. 29).
24
September 15
4/16/13 10:47 AM
Samuel the Judge
Bible Verse
Session 4
September 22
Bible Story
1 Samuel 7:2-17
Leap of Faith
Before You Begin
T
he last few weeks, we have heard Hannah’s prayer for a child and Samuel’s
call into ministry. The story of Samuel continues this week as we see him
transition from serving God in the temple at Shiloh to being the last judge of
Israel.
The Israelites have been struggling, and the Philistines have captured the ark of
the covenant—the box that holds the Ten Commandments and represents God
to the people of Israel. The ark is finally returned, and the Israelites have decided
they want to make themselves right with God.
Eli’s family is now dead, and there is no one in charge of the people. Samuel sees
this as an opportunity to help the Israelites. Samuel has already been viewed
as a trustworthy prophet. We see his role expand in chapter seven of 1 Samuel.
Samuel becomes the intercessor of the Israelites, praying for them to God and
relating God’s messages to the Israelites. Samuel helps the Israelites renew their
covenant with God, as well as eliminating the threat of the Philistines.
Samuel serves God and the people of God for the rest of his life as a judge. He
traveled around the territories, helping the people of God.
You, as a teacher, are fulfilling a huge servant role—much like Samuel. You help
lay the faith foundations of each of the children in your class. It is a wonderful
job to have. They depend on you to teach them how to be in relation with you,
the other children in the class, and most importantly, with God. You teach them
these wonderful truths. Thank you for taking the time to do these big things.
Requires
preparation.
Fall 2013
Session 4
25
4/16/13 10:48 AM
Grow Together
Welcome
• Give each child the rock Sticker to put on the Attendance Chart (Resource
Pak—pp. 2 and 23).
Build Samuel’s Altar: Architect’s Drawing
Supplies: Reproducible 4b, Resource Pak, markers, crayons or pencils
Photocopy “Build Samuel’s Altar: Architect Drawing” (Reproducible 4b) for
each child.
• Show the children the Storytelling Figure of Samuel’s altar, Ebenezer
(Resource Pak—p. 17).
• Ask the children to draw their own version of Samuel’s altar on their sheets,
using the grid lines to help outline their altars.
• Set these drawings to the side. The children will use them to build their own
altar as a class, using their bodies, later in the session.
SAY: Samuel was a wise leader. He helped his people, the Israelites, follow
God. One of the things he did was build an altar. He named his altar,
“Ebenezer.” Ebenezer means “stone of help.” We can trust many people to
help us, especially God. We will learn more about Samuel and how God and
Samuel helped the Israelites.
Bible Puzzlers
• Give each child “What’s Different?” and “Dot-to-Dot” (Bible Story Pak—
• There are two versions of the same picture from our story on page 3. The
illustration on the right side has five things that are different from the picture
on the left. Encourage the children to find and circle the five differences.
• Encourage the children to turn their pages over.
Bible Story Pak—
Session 4, p. 3
1. Samuel’s cap color
2. Eli’s cap band color
3. bowl full/empty
4. lamp on table
5. blanket over Eli
(design)
• This is a connect-the-dots worksheet. What do the children see when they
connect the dots? The children may then color the picture.
SAY: Samuel was a great leader of his people, the Israelites. He helped them
follow God and make good choices. He prayed with the Israelites and for them
too. We will learn more about Samuel today.
26
September 22
4/16/13 10:48 AM
Bible Story Center
• Give each child the story, “Samuel the Judge” (Bible Story Pak—Session 4,
pp. 1–2). Fold the page in half to make a book.
the story to you.
ASK: What did Samuel ask the Israelites to do? (worship only God, turn their
hearts to God, pray) Samuel helped the Israelites follow God, and when God
helped them, what did Samuel do? (He built an altar.) What did Samuel name
the altar? (Ebenezer) He called it Ebenezer, which means “stone of help.” Who
are some people who have helped you? (Let the children take turns talking about
people who have helped them.) We are lucky that we have people who help us.
When we help other people, we are servants of God.
Fairness Police
Supplies: Fun Pak, safety pins, crayons or markers
• Give each child the “Fairness Police” page (Fun Pak—p. 9), with the Police
Badge, police whistle, and two citation tickets.
• Have the children punch out each piece. Use a safety pin to pin on each child’s
Police Badge to her or his clothing.
• Ask each child to think of two people who are fair and who always try to
make sure everyone gets a turn or does what’s right. Help each child write
those people’s names on the citation tickets.
• Let them pretend to be police people. If they see someone not being treated
fairly, they may pretend to blow their whistles.
SAY: Samuel always tried to be a fair judge. Who can tell me what being fair
means? (sharing your toys, being nice, taking turns, and so forth) You are all
correct. It’s important that we always try to be fair. We will see what else
Samuel did while he led the people of Israel. Proclaim the Word
Follow Samuel
• Choose a child to be Samuel (the leader).
• Instruct the leader to walk, skip, act like a monkey, dance, or whatever the
leader would like to do around the room.
• The rest of the class will follow and mimic the leader.
• Let the children take turns being the leader.
Fall 2013
Session 4
27
4/16/13 10:48 AM
• Once all of the children have had a turn, you become the leader. Lead the
children to the Bible story area.
SAY: We all got to be leaders in our game. It’s fun to be a leader, but it is also
hard work. Today we will hear a story about a leader named Samuel. Samuel
helped his people follow God and helped them do what was right.
Serve
SAY: The mayor has lost her reminder rock. It must have fallen out of a hole in
her pocket. When Farley finds the rock by tripping over it, Rosie tells Farley
the story of a rock that Samuel named Ebenezer, which means “stone of help.”
Supplies: Reproducible 4a, Resource Pak, magnets, cookie sheet, tape
Gather the Storytelling Figures of Samuel, Ebenezer, the Israelites, and the
Philistines (Resource Pak—p. 17). Attach a small magnet to the back of each
figure. You will use the cookie sheet to display the figures.
• Read the Bible story, “Samuel the Judge” (Reproducible 4a), to the children.
• At the end of the story, sing the song, “Samuel, Samuel the Good Judge” to the
tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” (see column at right).
Ask: We have talked about listening to God a lot the past couple of weeks.
What are some ways we can hear God today? (through the Bible, prayer, people,
songs, sermons, art, and so forth)
28
“Samuel, Samuel the
Good Judge”
(Tune of “Twinkle,
Twinkle Little Star”)
Samuel, Samuel the
good judge,
led the people with
big love.
He prayed each day to
our God.
He helped God’s people
to be strong.
Samuel, Samuel the
good judge,
led the people with
big love.
Listening”
(Tune of “London
Bridge”)
listening,
listening,
listening.
listening.
Help me to hear.
listening,
listening,
listening.
listening.
Help me to serve.
September 22
4/16/13 10:48 AM
Build Samuel’s Altar: Build It!
Supplies: Architect’s Drawings made earlier (p. 26)
• Using the “Build Samuel’s Altar: Architect’s Drawings” made earlier (see
p. 26), have the children build Samuel’s altar, but using their bodies.
• Encourage the children to work together building the altar out of their bodies.
Say: In the Old Testament, the people would use altars like the one from
our Bible story to show God their love. We have altars today, but they don’t
look like the one from our story. Does anyone know where our altar is at our
church? (Talk about the altar in your church. The offering is no longer our best
animals, but our time, money, and love.) What kind of gifts can you give to God
on our altar?
Serve With Love
Paint Your Own Ebenezer
Supplies: newspaper, paint, paintbrushes, a stone for each child, bowls, smocks or
old shirts, paper plates, tables
• Cover the tables with newspaper.
• Pour a little of each color paint into a few bowls, one color per bowl.
• Pass out one stone, a smock, a paper plate, and a paintbrush to each child.
SAY: We are going to paint and decorate our own Ebenezer stones. In our
story, we heard that after God helped the people of Israel, Samuel named the
stone altar, “Ebenezer.” Ebenezer means “stone of help.” Samuel named it the
stone of help because that was a place where God helped the Israelites. When
we see our painted stones, we can remember that God is always with us,
helping us and loving us. It will also remind us to listen to God and to serve
God, just like Samuel.
• Ask the children to write their names on their paper plates. The stones will
stay on the plates to dry.
• Ask the children to paint their Ebenezer. They can paint it a solid color, make
a design, or paint a symbol they think best illustrates the story of Samuel.
• Set the plates with the stones aside to dry.
Like Samuel, I Can Serve My Whole Life
Supplies: construction paper, crayons or markers
Say: Samuel served God his whole life. He served God when he was young by
helping the priest, Eli. When he got older, the people of Israel asked him to
lead them as a judge. He did many great things as a servant of God. We have
been learning about helping others. When we help others, we are serving God.
• Pass out a sheet of construction paper to each child.
Fall 2013
Session 4
29
4/16/13 10:48 AM
• Let each child choose a few crayons or markers to draw a picture.
• Encourage each child to draw a picture of a time when he or she helped
someone else.
• Once each child is finished, invite all the children to join you in a circle.
• Ask the children to explain the pictures they drew of times when they helped
others.
Say: I am so proud of each of you for helping others. We are just like Samuel
when we help the people at church, at school, in our neighborhoods, and
when we help our family and friends. We can serve God our whole lives, just
like Samuel!
Worship
Praise and Prayer
TIP
the way your church
your children with
“The Doxology”
Whom All Blessings
Flow”)
• Send home the Bible storybook, “Samuel the Judge” (Bible Story Pak—
Praise God, from
whom all blessings
flow;
praise him, all
heavenly host;
Plan for Next Week
Holy Ghost.
Preview the DVD segment for Session 5. Photocopy “Crowned to Serve”
(Reproducible 5b) for each child. Remove the Bible Story Pak and Fun Pak
pages for Session 5, and the Saul Storytelling Figure (Resource Pak—p. 9, top)
for this session. You will need cupcakes, napkins, plates, cups, and water or
juice, if you plan to do the “Serve Your Neighbor” activity (p. 35).
30
Amen.
September 22
4/16/13 10:48 AM
Choosing a King
Session 5
Bible Verse
September 29
Bible Story
1 Samuel 8:1-22; 10:17-24
Leap of Faith
Before You Begin
W
ith the mark of this lesson, we have made the transition begun in Hannah’s
lesson. The Israelites have gone from having judges to kings. God’s people
had only been truly ruled by God, only using the judges to translate God’s plan
for the people of Israel. There was instability in the land, and the Israelites began
to lose faith in their government system. The nations around them all depended
on the leadership of kings, and they wanted a leader they could see. God had
become intangible.
Samuel, who was getting older, took the request of the Israelites as a personal
attack on him, and on God. Samuel did not believe a king was a good choice.
Samuel went to God in prayer about the issue. God promised Samuel that this
was not an attack on his leadership, but on God’s. God told Samuel to appoint a
king, but that there would be consequences for the Israelites.
Saul, for a little while, proved to be a good leader. But, as we know, the leaders
of God’s people were not divine but human. Humans are not perfect, and they
make mistakes. They need God’s guidance and forgiveness. When God was not
put first, things fell apart.
This lesson is a time to celebrate the leaders of our Bible. Though they make
mistakes, they all have sought to be servants of God. These various people each
fulfilled their calls to serve in different ways. We have learned about Deborah,
who served God as a judge and through praise. We have learned about Hannah,
who served God through prayer. We have learned about Samuel, who served
God as a boy in the temple, as an adult judge, and by choosing a king for the
Israelites. We will be learning today about Saul, who served God as a king.
Remind your young children that no matter our age or size, we can all help
others. When we help others, we are servants of God!
Requires
preparation.
Fall 2013
Session 5
31
4/16/13 10:50 AM
Grow Together
Welcome
• Greet each parent and child as they arrive.
• Play music (CD-ROM) to create a cheerful atmosphere.
• Have the Bible open to 1 Samuel 8 or 10.
• Give each child the Sticker of the crown for the Attendance Chart (Resource
Crowned to Serve
Supplies: Reproducible 5b, paint, bowls or paper plates, smocks or old T-shirts
Photocopy the crown page (Reproducible 5b) for each child. Help each
child write her or his name on the top of the page.
• Pass out smocks or old T-shirts to the children. They should wear these to
prevent getting paint on their clothes.
TIP
You can substitute
stamps, stickers, or
markers for the paint
in this craft.
• Pour a small amount of paint into bowls or onto plates for the children to
use—one color of paint per bowl.
• Encourage the children to finger-paint jewels, designs, and anything they
think will make their crown look royal. They can paint the crown piece and
the four strips that will attach to the crown.
• Set these aside to dry. Your class will complete this craft after the story.
SAY: Today we will hear a story about Samuel as an old man. He had been
serving as the judge and leader of his people. Today he will find a king for the
Israelites.
Bible Puzzlers
• Give each child “Who Will Be the King?” and “Can You Find Israel’s King?”
(Bible Story Pak—Session 5, pp. 3–4).
• Invite the children to use the decoder on page 3 to find out the name of the
new king.
• The children will see a picture of today’s story. Invite the children to find and
circle the new king in the picture.
SAY: Samuel helped find the Israelites a new king named Saul. We will find
out in our story how Samuel found Saul.
32
September 29
4/16/13 10:50 AM
Bible Story Center
• Give each child the story, “Choosing a King” (Bible Story Pak—Session 5,
pp. 1–2). Fold the page in half like a book.
• Read the story as the children follow along in their books. If you are using
the book in a story center, read the story to three children at a time. Help the
to you.
• Invite the children to add the crown Sticker to Saul’s head on page 2 of the
story.
ASK: What did the Israelites want Samuel to do? (find them a king) What did
Samuel say? (He said he didn’t think it was a good idea.) Samuel prayed to God
about finding a king. What did God tell Samuel to do? (God told Samuel to find
a king.) Where did Samuel find the new king? (hiding in the supplies) What
was the new king’s name? (Saul)
Who Did What?
Supplies: Fun Pak, crayons or markers
• Give each child the page, “Who Did What?” (Fun Pak—p. 11).
• Invite the children to remove all the pieces from the page.
• Encourage the children to color each card.
• Encourage the children to match the person card to the card of that person
serving God. For example, the card with Hannah on it matches the card of
Hannah praying.
• Tell the children they can play a memory game with the cards by flipping the
cards over and then matching the card pairs.
SAY: We have learned about Deborah, Hannah, and Samuel. They each served
God. Today we will learn about Saul and what Saul did to serve God. We can
serve God in many ways, just like these people did.
Proclaim the Word
Musical Chairs
Supplies: CD-ROM, CD player, chairs (one per child)
Arrange one chair per child in a circle. Make sure the chairs are facing
outward.
SAY: God helped Samuel choose a new king one step at a time. First, Samuel
learned that Saul was a part of the Benjamin tribe. Then, Samuel found out
he was a part of the Matri family. Finally, Samuel found Saul. We are going to
Fall 2013
Session 5
33
4/16/13 10:50 AM
play musical chairs. Just like Samuel choosing the king, we will narrow down
to just one person. When the music stops, find a chair. If you don’t find a
chair, line up against the wall. We will play a few rounds.
• Play the CD-ROM for about fifteen seconds. When the music stops, encourage
the children to sit in a chair. For the first round, everyone should be able to
find a chair.
• Ask everyone to stand back up, and remove one chair.
• Continue to play until there is only one child left.
• Play a few more rounds so other children have the opportunity to be the last
child in the game.
Serve
• Invite the children to join you in the Bible story center to hear today’s story.
“Where’s the New
King?”
(Tune of “Where Is
Thumbkin?”)
SAY: Furleen wants an emperor penguin so that The Leaping Frog is like the
pet store in the neighboring town. Papa B tries to talk her out of it because
he knows it will be more trouble than Furleen thinks. But Furleen is sure she
wants the penguin. After it arrives, however, she finds out Papa B was right!
Supplies: Reproducible 5a
• Read the Bible story, “Choosing a King” (Reproducible 5a), to the children.
• Encourage the children to sing the song, “Where’s the New King?” to the tune
of “Where Is Thumbkin?” (see column at right).
Ask: Who did God choose as a king? (Saul)
Where’s the new king?
Here he is!
Here he is!
Saul will lead the
people.
Saul will lead the
people.
Saul is king.
Saul is king
Listening”
(Tune of “London
Bridge”)
listening,
listening,
listening.
listening.
Help me to hear.
listening,
listening,
listening.
listening.
Help me to serve.
34
September 29
4/16/13 10:50 AM
Find the King
Gather the Saul figure (Resource Pak—p. 9, top).
• Show the children Saul.
• Encourage the children to cover their eyes so you may hide Saul for them to
find.
• After you have hidden Saul, encourage the children to find him somewhere in
the room.
SAY: Saul was hiding alone in the supplies in our story, much like he was
hiding in our room. God chose Saul to be the first king of Israel. Saul was
found to lead the people and help them follow God. Saul served God by being
the king of the Israelites. We all have been asked to help others in many ways.
How have you helped others? (I helped at an animal shelter; I helped an elderly
person rake leaves; and so forth.)
Crowned to Serve
Supplies: crown crafts made earlier (p. 32), safety scissors, gluesticks
• Pass out each child’s “Crowned to Serve” project (see p. 32). Tell the children
that they will be assembling the crowns now that they are dried.
• Help the children cut out the crown piece and the four strips of paper that will
attach to the crown to make it fit.
• Help the children size the crowns around their heads.
• Encourage them to use a gluesticks to glue the strips they need to the crowns.
• Set the crowns aside for a few minutes to dry. Then allow the children to wear
their crowns the remainder of the class.
Say: God told Samuel to choose a king to lead the people of Israel. Who did
God choose to be the king? (Saul) God chose Saul to lead the people and to
help them. When we help others, were are serving God.
Serve With Love
TIP
Serve Your Neighbor
Supplies: cupcakes, napkins, plates, spoons, cups, water or juice
Bake or purchase cupcakes.
• Choose one child to pass out cups.
• Choose another child to pass out plates.
As with any food
activity, check for
may have. Let the
parents know what
used today.
• Choose another child to pass out napkins.
• Choose another child to pass out spoons.
Fall 2013
Session 5
35
4/16/13 10:50 AM
SAY: We have been learning about how people in the Bible served God. We
learned about Deborah, who served God as a judge and through praise. We
learned about Hannah, who served God through prayer. We learned about
Samuel, who served God as a boy in the temple, as an adult judge, and by
choosing a king for the Israelites. We learned about Saul, who served God as a
king. We can serve God in many ways, just like these people did. Anytime we
help others in some way, we are servants of God, and that is a wonderful thing
to be! Today we even helped each other get everything we needed to enjoy a
cupcake. Thank you for being such good helpers.
• Pass out a cupcake to each child.
• Enjoy the snack.
Worship
TIP
Praise and Prayer
• Send home the storybook, “Choosing a King” (Bible Story Pak—Session 5,
the way your church
your children with
“The Doxology”
Whom All Blessings
Flow”)
Praise God, from
whom all blessings
flow;
praise him, all
heavenly host;
Holy Ghost.
Plan for Next Week
Amen.
Photocopy the “The Lord’s House” envelope (Reproducible 6b) for each child.
Remove the Bible Story Pak and Fun Pak pages for Session 6. You will need to
purchase lip balm in various colors and scents for the “We Are All Anointed”
activity (p. 53).
36
September 29
4/16/13 10:50 AM
Reproducible 1a: Deborah
Gather the children in the Bible story center. Read
the following story based on Judges 4:4-16; 5:1-31.
After the story, sing the song, “God, Your Servant Is
Listening.” Then, let your children take turns writing
their own song of praise to God using their Praise
Shakers. Let them share their songs with the class.
There is a story about a smart woman named
Deborah in our Bible. Deborah was a judge and
a prophetess. Her job was to lead and help her
people.
Deborah would sit under a palm tree and wait for
her friends to come to her for help. When someone
needed help, Deborah would listen to her friend’s
problem. Then, Deborah would listen to God for
the answer and tell the person what God had said.
One day Deborah had been praying to God about
a problem her friends were having. A man named
Sisera was not being nice to Deborah’s friends. God
told Deborah to ask her friend, Barak, to help.
Sing the song, “God, Your Servant Is Listening,”
twice through to the tune of “London Bridge.” Let the
children sing it with you, and then let them answer the
questions: How did Deborah serve God? How can you
serve God?
“God, Your Servant Is Listening”
(Tune of “London Bridge”)
God, your servant is listening,
listening,
listening.
God, your servant is listening.
Help me to hear.
listening,
listening.
Help me to serve.
Deborah sent for Barak. She said to Barak, “God
wants you to lead our people against Sisera. Get
everyone together and go to the mountains!”
Barak was not sure he wanted to lead the people
against Sisera. Barak said, “Deborah, I will go, but
only if you come with me.”
Deborah replied, “I will go with you, Barak.
Together we can stop Sisera! God has already told
me we will win.”
Deborah and Barak went to the mountains, and
with God’s help, they did stop Sisera!
Deborah was so happy that she wrote a song full
of praise to God. She thanked God for keeping her
people safe and for stopping Sisera. Deborah was
full of joy because she knew God blessed her and
her people.
SON EE LG pp37-46 repro ID001.indd 37
37
4/16/13 1:15 PM
Reproducible 1b: Praise Painting
38
Fall 2013
4/16/13 1:15 PM
Reproducible 2a: Hannah
Read the following story based on 1 Samuel 1:1–2:11,
18-21. Instruct the children to put their hands together
in a praying position every time they hear you say the
name, “Hannah.” When they hear the word, “baby,”
invite them to pretend to rock a baby.
Today our story is about a woman named Hannah.
Hannah was very sad. Hannah wanted a baby, but
she did not have a baby. People were even mean
to Hannah because she did not have a baby. That
made Hannah even more upset.
One day Hannah and her husband, Elkanah, went
to the temple in Shiloh. They came to the temple
every year to worship God.
Sing the song, “Hannah Prayed,” two times through.
“Hannah Prayed”
(Tune of “Jingle Bells”)
Hannah prayed.
Hannah prayed.
Hannah said her prayers!
She knew God would hear her prayers, so this is
what she did.
Hannah prayed.
Hannah prayed.
Hannah said her prayers!
We can all say prayers to God. God will always hear.
This particular visit, Hannah was very sad. Hannah
decided to go to the temple to pray. “Dear God, I
am so sad. I want a baby more than anything in the
whole world. Please remember me, and give me a
baby boy to love and care for. If you give me a baby
boy, I will bring him to the temple to learn all about
you. I will teach my baby how to serve you all the
days of his life.”
Hannah prayed with her heart, her body, her lips,
her breath, and with all of her might. Hannah knew
that God would hear her prayers.
Hannah didn’t know that Eli, the priest in charge
of the temple, had been watching her. Eli said to
Hannah, “Go in peace. I pray God answers your
prayers.”
Hannah and her family went back home. Hannah’s
prayer was soon answered. Hannah was going
to have a baby! Hannah prayed again to God,
saying, “Dear God, my heart is so happy! You have
answered my prayer for a baby. Thank you so
much.”
Hannah and Elkanah had a baby boy. They named
their baby, Samuel. Hannah kept her promise to
God and raised Samuel to love and serve God all of
his life.
39
4/16/13 1:15 PM
Reproducible 2b: Prayer Beads
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
40
Fall 2013
4/16/13 1:15 PM
Reproducible 3a: God Calls Samuel
Gather the Storytelling Figures of the Temple, Sleeping
Samuel, Sleeping Eli, Samuel, and Eli (Resource
Pak—p. 8). Attach the figures to blocks or small
boxes. You can attach Sleeping Samuel and Samuel to
the same block, then you will just have to rotate the
block for each change. You can attach Sleeping Eli and
Eli to the same block, then you will just have to rotate
the block for each change. Read the following story
based on 1 Samuel 3:1-10.
When Samuel was old enough, his mom, Hannah,
took him to the temple to serve God. Samuel helped
the priest, Eli, around the temple.
Set out the Temple, Sleeping Samuel, and Sleeping Eli.
Change Samuel to Sleeping Samuel.
Again, someone shouted Samuel’s name.
Help me shout Samuel’s name. SAMUEL!
Change Sleeping Samuel to Samuel.
Samuel got out of bed and ran to check on Eli.
“I’m here, Eli. I know you called me,” Samuel said.
Change Sleeping Eli to Eli.
“I did not call you, Samuel!” said Eli.
Then Eli realized who really was calling Samuel.
One night Samuel was woken up by someone
shouting his name.
“God must be calling you, Samuel. Go back to bed,
and if you hear someone calling you again, say,
‘Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening.’”
Change Eli to Sleeping Eli.
Samuel went back to bed.
Samuel ran to where Eli was sleeping to see what
Eli needed.
“I’m here, Eli. You called me?” Samuel said.
No sooner had he drifted to sleep, when he was
awoken.
“I didn’t call you, Samuel. Please go back to sleep,”
said Eli.
Samuel went back to his mat and fell asleep.
Samuel remembered what Eli had told him to say.
He said, “Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening.”
God gave Samuel a special message and asked him
to help. God continued to talk to Samuel all of his
life, and Samuel continued to serve God and Israel.
A little while later, someone called out Samuel’s
name.
Samuel, thinking again it was Eli needing help, ran
to where Eli was sleeping.
“I’m here, Eli. You called me?” Samuel said.
“I didn’t call you, Samuel. Please go back to sleep,”
said Eli.
Samuel went back to his mat and lay down.
41
4/16/13 1:15 PM
Reproducible 3b: Samuel’s Mat
Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening.
42
Fall 2013
4/16/13 1:15 PM
Reproducible 4a: Samuel the Judge
Gather the Storytelling Figures of Samuel, the
Israelites, the Philistines, and Ebenezer (Resource
Pak—p. 17). Attach a small magnet to the back of
each figure. You will use the cookie sheet to display the
figures. Read the following story based on 1 Samuel
7:2-17.
The people of Israel wanted to be closer to God.
They missed God. Samuel wanted to help the
Israelites to love God.
Sing the following songs after the story twice through.
“Samuel, Samuel the Good Judge”
(Tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”)
Samuel, Samuel the good judge,
led the people with big love.
He prayed each day to our God.
He helped God’s people to be strong.
Samuel, Samuel the good judge,
led the people with big love.
Set out the Israelites and Samuel on the cookie sheet.
Samuel said, “If you love God, stop worshipping
other things. Don’t let other things come between
you and God. Give God your love, and worship
only God.”
The Israelites listened. They got rid of the things
that were keeping them away from God.
Samuel then told the Israelites, “We must all meet
at Mizpah and pray together.”
The Israelites met Samuel at Mizpah, and they all
prayed to God together. Samuel led all of the people
in prayer and helped them grow closer to God.
Move Samuel to the center of the cookie sheet, and
move the Israelites over toward him.
“God, Your Servant Is Listening”
(Tune of “London Bridge”)
listening,
listening.
Help me to hear.
listening,
listening.
Help me to serve.
The Philistines, people who didn’t get along with
the Israelites, heard that the Israelites were at
Mizpah. The Philistines decided they were going to
cause a fight with the Israelites.
Add the Philistines on the other side of Samuel.
The Israelites became afraid. They said, “Samuel,
please don’t stop praying for us!”
Samuel kept praying.
Soon, there was a loud thunder. The Philistines
became afraid, and they ran away.
Remove the Philistines.
The Israelites were so happy!
Add Ebenezer, the stone altar.
Samuel took a stone and set it up as an altar. He
named it “Ebenezer,” which means “the Lord
helped us.”
From this time on, Samuel became the leader of
Israel. He judged them fairly and helped them in all
of their troubles.
43
4/16/13 1:15 PM
Reproducible 4b: Build Samuel’s Altar:
Architect Drawing
44
Fall 2013
4/16/13 1:15 PM
Reproducible 5a: Choosing a King
Gather the children in the Bible story center. Read the
following story based on 1 Samuel 8:1-22; 10:17-24.
Samuel had grown old. He has served God for
many years as a judge. He helped his people, the
Israelites, know what God wanted them to do.
The Israelites were worried about Samuel getting
older, and they did not want to be without someone
to lead them. “You are getting old, Samuel. We
really want a king,” said the Israelites.
Samuel did not think a king was a very good idea.
“You do not need a king,” he told the Israelites.
“We really want a king, Samuel,” they replied.
Sing, “Where’s the New King?” to the tune of “Where
Is Thumbkin?” a few times through after you have
read the story.
“Where’s the New King?”
(Tune of “Where Is Thumbkin?”)
Here he is!
Here he is!
Saul will lead the people.
Saul will lead the people.
Saul is king.
Saul is king.
Samuel prayed to God about what was best. God
told Samuel, “Give the people a king.”
Samuel summoned all of the Israelites to Mizpah.
With God’s help, Samuel would choose a king from
the Israelites.
All of the Israelites came. Samuel asked God, “Is the
new king here?”
“Yes, he is in the tribe of Benjamin,” said God.
Samuel asked God, “Is the new king here?”
“Yes, he is in the family of Matri,” said God.
Samuel asked God, “Is the new king here? I do not
see him here.”
God said, “Yes, he is here. He is hiding in the
supplies.”
Samuel sent for the man hiding. Saul was found
hiding in the supplies.
Samuel said to the Israelites, “Saul is the new king.
Saul has no equal among the people.”
The Israelites, full of joy, exclaimed, “Long live the
king!”
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4/16/13 1:15 PM
Reproducible 5b: Crowned to Serve
46
Fall 2013
4/16/13 1:15 PM
Unit 2
David the King
Bible Verse
I will live in the Lord’s house as long as I live. (Psalm 23:6)
Leap of Faith
God’s love is with me all the days of my life.
In this unit
Session 6,
October 6
Bible story:
1 Samuel 16:1-13
CD-ROM
Session 7,
October 13
David and Goliath
Bible story:
1 Samuel 17:1-51a
Let the Music Play
version available
• Sheet music with lyrics
Session 8,
October 20
David Dances
Bible story:
2 Samuel 6:1-19
Session 9,
October 27
David’s Son Builds the Temple
Bible story:
1 Kings 6; 8
Leap of Faith
(theme song)
version available
Session 6: Leaper’s Pointe Session 7: Mondo acts
needs a new security
out the story of David
guard. At first, the mayor and Goliath.
tries to find someone who
looks like a security guard.
But she finally realizes that
she shouldn’t be choosing
a guard because of how
she or he looks.
Session 8: The mayor is
embarrassed because she
is caught doing a happy
dance. She doesn’t think
the townspeople will take
her seriously as a leader if
they see her dance. Rosie
helps the mayor learn that
even great leaders like King
David dance for joy.
Session 9: Furleen
wants Harley to build
a jungle gym for her
animals, but the plans
are way too complicated.
When Papa B steps in
to help, he remembers
the story of Solomon
building the Temple.
• Let the Music Play
Fall 2013
• Leap of Faith
(theme song)
Unit 2
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4/16/13 12:27 PM
Supplies
The Basics
Bible
box of tissues
card stock
CD player
colors)
colored copy paper
computer & printer
construction paper
cotton balls
cotton swabs
craft sticks
crayons
DVD player
gluesticks
index cards
paper clips
coverings
paper bowls
paper cups
sizes and weights)
paper punch
pencils
posterboard
projector or televisionr
recycled newspaper
Beyond the Basics
Session 6
lip balm of various colors
and scents
several large boxes to
“build” a church
Session 7
“build” a church (from
Session 6)
butcher paper
two sets of pretend food
feathers
for “Stone Snack Cookies”:
sugar, oats, cocoa, milk,
butter, microwave,
microwave-safe bowl,
wooden mixing spoon,
wax paper, cookie sheet,
measuring cups and
spoons
scissors
smocks
stapler, staples
television
washable paint
watercolor paints
wooden craft sticks
yarn
Session 8
Session 9
several large boxes
“build” a church (from
to “build” a church
Session 6)
(from Session 6)
colorful duct tape
three building blocks or
jingle bells (five per child)
boxes
for “Raisin Cakes”: raisins,
water, cardamom,
cinnamon, chopped
walnuts, chopped
almonds, measuring
cups and spoons,
blender or food
processor, mixing spoon
and bowl, optional:
honey
Tips for Teachers
Sessions 7 and 9 suggest
food activities. Always
check for food allergies
before serving food to
your children.
48
Fall 2013
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Bible Verse
Session 6
October 6
Bible Story
1 Samuel 16:1-13
Leap of Faith
Before You Begin
T
his story begins with a conversation between Samuel and God. Saul had
deliberately disobeyed God. God is now instructing Samuel to anoint
someone new to be king. Samuel is protesting to God; this is not a good idea.
God calls Samuel to go out to the family of Jesse of Bethlehem. The new king
will be one of Jesse’s sons.
Samuel goes out to the family of Jesse. He invites Jesse and his sons to
participate in a sacrifice. During the sacrifice, God lets Samuel know which
son must be anointed. Samuel immediately believes that the oldest, handsome,
strong son must be the new king. God says, “Have no regard for his appearance
or stature, because I haven’t selected him. God doesn’t look at things like
humans do. Humans see only what is visible to the eyes, but the Lord sees into
the heart” (16:7).
Check out
articles.
Samuel continues to look at each of Jesse’s sons, and none of them is to be
anointed. It isn’t until Jesse gets his youngest son, David, that God selects who
shall be anointed. David was responsible for tending the sheep. He spent most
of his time outdoors, in all kinds of weather. He was responsible for the primary
source of his family’s income. The sheep depended on David to take care of
them. All of these things prepared David to be the next ruler of Israel.
The children in your class can probably relate to young David. He is the
youngest and is stuck having to do chores that his older brothers do not have to
do. David was probably left out of the grown-up stuff, but God saw something
in David that made him worthy to be a leader. We must remind our children
that, like David, what is on the inside is most important to God. God judges our
hearts, not what we look like on the outside.
Requires
preparation.
Fall 2013
SON EE LG pp49-54 IN006.indd 49
Session 6
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4/16/13 12:28 PM
Grow Together
Welcome
• Play music (CD-ROM) to make your room cheerful.
• Give each child a heart Sticker for the Attendance Chart (Resource Pak—
pp. 2 and 23).
The Lord’s House
Supplies: Reproducible 6b, crayons or markers, glue or tape, scissors
Photocopy the “The Lord’s House” envelope (Reproducible 6b) for each
child.
• Give each child a copy of the church envelope. Have the children cut it out on
the outer solid lines and color the church.
• Encourage each child to turn the paper over, blank side facing up, and fold the
bottom flap up along the dotted line. Glue or tape the side edges of the folded
bottom flap closed. Fold the side flaps in, along the dotted lines, “closing” the
doors of the church.
• Have each child put his or her name on the envelope.
SAY: This is a church building. Some people also call churches houses of God.
We will learn more about churches this month as we learn more about our
mission project.
Bible Puzzlers
• Give each child “Color By Shapes” and “Samuel to David” (Bible Story Pak—
• Invite the children to look at page 3. Encourage them to color the shapes with
the corresponding colors. What do they see?
• Have the children help Samuel through the maze to find the shepherd boy,
David.
SAY: Our story today is about Samuel and the job God has given him. God has
asked Samuel to anoint a new king from the family of Jesse. We will find out
more about the new king when we hear our story.
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October 6
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Bible Story Center
• Give each child the story, “Samuel Anoints David” (Bible Story Pak—Session
6, pp. 1–2). Fold the page in half like a book.
storybook in a story center, read the story to three children at a time.
• Help the children identify simple words in the story. If you have readers, let
them read the story to you.
• Give the children the anointing horn Sticker. Have them add it to the story
where Samuel anoints David on page 2.
ASK: Why did God ask Samuel to anoint a new king? (Saul stopped listening
to God and doing what God asked him to do.) Where was the new king living?
(in Bethlehem) What is the name of the new king’s dad? (Jesse) Samuel thought
the oldest son was to be king. Was he right? (No.) What did God say to
Samuel when Samuel thought God chose the oldest son? (God looks at your
heart, not your outward appearance.) Who did God choose to be the next king?
(God chose David, the youngest son.)
Magnify the Heart
Supplies: Fun Pak, gluesticks, yarn, scissors, paper punch
• Give each child the “Magnify the Heart” page (Fun Pak—p. 13).
• Invite the children to remove the two pieces from the page.
• Invite them to glue the heart with the Bible verse to the inside of the
magnifying glass (the eyepiece).
• Help the children to punch out the hole on the handle of the magnifying glass,
and string a piece of yarn through the hole to make a necklace.
TIP
The Bible story
(Reproducible 6a) will
ask the children to
use their magnifying
glasses to help God
see the hearts of Jesse’s
sons.
• Encourage the children to wear their magnifying glass necklaces the rest of the
class. The Bible story includes a time to use it.
SAY: God reminded Samuel that what people look like on the outside doesn’t
matter as much as what is on the inside. God looks at our hearts, not our
outward appearance.
Proclaim the Word
Hide and Seek: Finding David
• Choose one child to be “Samuel.”
• Ask “Samuel” to cover his or her eyes and count to ten while the children hide
around the room.
• The last child to be found is “David.”
• Play a few more rounds, choosing a new person to be Samuel each time.
Fall 2013
Session 6
51
4/16/13 12:28 PM
• Invite the children to join you in the Bible story center.
SAY: Today, God asked Samuel to anoint the new king, David. Samuel must
search for him, just like we searched for each other around our room during
our game.
Lord
SAY: Leaper’s Pointe needs a new security guard. At first, the mayor tries to
find someone who looks like a security guard. But she finally realizes that she
shouldn’t be choosing a guard because of how she or he looks.
• Show today’s Leaper’s Pointe in Concert, “Let the Music Play” (DVD). Have
the children sign the Bible verse with the DVD at the end of the episode.
Supplies: Reproducible 6a, magnifying glasses made earlier (p. 51)
• Read the Bible story, “Samuel Anoints David” (Reproducible 6a), to the
children. Invite them to user their magnifying glasses made earlier (see p. 51)
where indicated in the story.
• Invite the children to act out the story while you read it a second time. Let
someone be God, Samuel, David, Jesse, and the remaining children can be
Jesse’s other sons.
• Sing the song, “God Chose David,” to the tune of “Jesus Loves Me” a few
times (see column at right).
ASK: How would you feel if you were David in this story? How would you feel
if you were one of his brothers? What do you think Samuel was thinking and
feeling as he anointed David?
House
“God Chose David”
(Tune of “Jesus Loves
Me”)
God chose David, this
I know,
for the Bible tells me
so.
David was the
youngest son.
He loved sheep, and he
loved God.
Yes, God chose David.
The Bible tells me so.
• Point to the Bible Verse Poster (Resource Pak—p. 4) and read the Bible verse
to the children: “I will live in the Lord’s house as long as I live” (Psalm 23:6).
• Encourage the children to sing the song, “I’ll Live in the Lord’s House,” to the
tune of “The More We Get Together” (see column at right).
“I’ll Live in the Lord’s
House”
(Tune of “The More We
Get Together”)
I’ll live in the Lord’s
house,
God Sees Our Hearts
the Lord’s house,
Supplies: strips of paper (ten per child), paper plates (three per child), stapler &
staples, safety scissors, markers or crayons
the Lord’s house.
house as long as I live.
52
October 6
4/16/13 12:28 PM
Cut ten strips of paper for each child. They will write attributes of
themselves on these strips and put them inside the finished heart pocket.
• Pass out three paper plates and ten strips of paper to each child.
• Encourage the children to color the paper plates. One will need to be colored
on the front side, and the other two will be colored on the back. They can
color their plates red to look more like a heart, but any color will do.
• Help the children fold the two plates with color on the back in half.
• Show the children how to lay one of these plates in the middle of the other.
When both paper plates are folded and nestled together, they should look like
a heart and form a pocket.
• Help the children staple the tip of the heart and the top edges of the heart
together on both sides. Do not let them staple both sides together; you want
the top of the pocket to open up.
• Encourage the children to cut a handle out of the third paper plate. Staple the
handle to the top of the heart pocket.
• Invite the children to write or draw ten things about themselves on the strips
of paper. These can be their favorite color, who they love, or anything else that
makes them who they are.
SAY: Just like God looked at David’s heart, God looks at our hearts to see who
we really are. God made each of us very special, and the things that make us
who we are make God very happy and proud.
We Are All Anointed
Supplies: lip balm of various colors and scents
Say: Samuel anointed, or blessed, David in today’s story. Back in Bible times,
people would be anointed to show they were asked to do a special job for
God. We are all asked to do a special job for God. To help us remember we
are God’s helpers, we are going to bless each other. I have lip balm, but this is
special lip balm. We will not put it on our mouths because we will use it for
an even better purpose. I will use it to draw a cross on your hand. You can see,
and smell, your blessing the rest of the day. When you smell your blessing,
you can remember that God is always with you and that you are God’s helper.
• Ask the children to come to you one at a time. Using the lip balm, draw
a cross on the back of each child’s hand. While you draw the cross, SAY:
“(Child’s name), you are a special child of God. You can help God, no matter
what your size.”
TIP
If there is a child
unsure about receiving
a blessing, ask if you
can use your finger to
draw a cross on her
or his hand instead of
using the lip balm.
Serve With Love
We Can Help By Building a Church
Supplies: Resource Pak, Reproducible 6c, several large boxes, tape, markers,
scissors
Photocopy “Mission Letter” (Reproducible 6c) for each child.
Fall 2013
Session 6
53
4/16/13 12:28 PM
• Cut out the four stained glass windows from Resource Pak—p. 20 (two
square, two circle).
SAY: This month we will be taking up an offering to help build a new church
building for people who need it. The General Board of Global Ministries
builds churches all over the world. We will help build a new church in Russia
with the money we collect. Today we are going to build our own church.
• Allow the children to work together to build a church using the boxes.
• Encourage them to help you find special places for the stained glass windows
(Resource Pak—p. 20). Tape the stained glass windows to the boxes.
• Let the children add more details to their church with markers.
• Pass out a copy of “Mission Letter” to each child. Remind them that the
money they bring helps build churches around the world.
TIP
Save the box church
for the following
three weeks. Each
week the children
will reassemble their
box church to remind
them of this month’s
mission.
Worship
Praise and Prayer
“God’s Love Is With
Me All My Life”
(Tune: “Where Is
Thumbkin?”)
• Sing the song, “God’s Love Is With Me All My Life,” to the tune of “Where Is
Thumbkin?” three times through, or until the children have become familiar
with the song (see column at right).
SAY: We can trust that God will love us all the days of our lives, just like God
loves David from our story. We can praise God knowing that God’s love is all
around us.
God’s love is with me,
God’s love is with me
all my life,
all my life.
I know that God loves
me,
me
all my life,
all my life.
• Send home the Bible storybook, “Samuel Anoints David” (Bible Story Pak—
Plan for Next Week
Remove the Bible Story Pak and Fun Pak pages for Session 7. On card stock,
photocopy and cut out “Hero Mask” (Reproducible 7b) for each child. (There
are two masks on the page; you will need one for each child.) You will need to
purchase the ingredients for the “Stone Snack Cookies” activity (p. 59).
54
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David and Goliath
Bible Verse
Session 7
October 13
Bible Story
1 Samuel 17:1-51a
Leap of Faith
Before You Begin
F
irst Samuel offers several introductions to David. We are first introduced to
David when Samuel anoints him in 1 Samuel 16:1-13. David is introduced
again to us as the music player who comforts King Saul in 1 Samuel 16:14-23.
In 1 Samuel 17, we are introduced to him a third time as the victor over Goliath.
Each time we meet David, we learn something about who he is. He is a shepherd
who plays beautiful music, and in this story, we learn that his faith in God is
strong.
Goliath is very vividly described in the beginning of the chapter. He is over nine
feet tall and has tons of armor and weapons. Goliath has the Israelites terrified.
David arrives on the scene and cannot believe that the Israelites have forgotten
that God is on their side. David calls on God. David is not afraid because he
believes God’s people have nothing to fear.
King Saul sends for David. David doesn’t wait to hear if Saul has anything to say,
rather he volunteers to defeat Goliath. Saul is shocked. David is a young boy; he
does not compare. David calls on the name of God again, and Saul agrees to let
him go into the fight. Saul may have agreed with David about God’s power, but
Saul cannot give up his own reliance on human military power. He attempts to
clothe David in his own armor. Saul wants to outdo Goliath on Goliath’s terms.
David’s contrast is both with Saul and Goliath. Saul and Goliath trust in human
ability. David trusts that God can make deliverance possible against the odds,
that there is hope even when facing apparently hopeless situations.
This story is not just about rooting for the underdog. It gives hope to all people
when they are fearful, that there is a way to overcome it. We can see ourselves as
David and trust God.
For the children in your classroom, this story can give them courage to face the
things they are afraid of. God is always with us, and David’s faith gives us faith.
God did not let the bully win, rather God armed David in faith and allowed him
the victory.
Requires
preparation.
Fall 2013
Session 7
55
4/16/13 12:29 PM
Grow Together
Welcome
• Give each child a pouch Sticker for the Attendance Chart (Resource Pak—
pp. 2 and 23).
How Do I Compare?
Supplies: butcher paper nine feet long, scissors, marker
Cut a piece of butcher paper nine feet long.
SAY: Our story today is about David and a not-so-nice Philistine named
Goliath. Goliath was over nine feet tall, had heavy armor, a helmet, leg
protectors, a huge spear, and a shield! The Israelites were very afraid of him.
We are going to see just how big he was.
• Lay the paper out on the floor.
• Invite the children to lay down on top of the butcher paper. Their feet should
line up with the bottom of the butcher paper.
• Mark each child’s height on the paper with a line and his or her name.
• Have the children gather around the paper.
SAY: Goliath was as tall as this paper. Are we as tall as he is? (No!) If you were
an Israelite, would you be afraid of Goliath? They were afraid of him because
he was tall and powerful. Our story will tell us what happens to David and
Goliath.
Bible Puzzlers
• Give each child “Fill in the Blanks” and “Dot-to-Dot” (Bible Story Pak—
• Invite the children to fill in the blanks of the phrase using the decoder located
near the top of page 3.
• Encourage the children to turn the page over. Invite the children to connect
the dots on the page, and then color the picture. What do they see?
56
October 13
4/16/13 12:29 PM
SAY: Our Bible story tells us about a huge warrior named Goliath and a young
shepherd boy named David. Goliath had scared all of God’s people, but David
was not afraid. David knows God is with him. We will learn more about David
and Goliath today.
Bible Story Center
• Give each child the story, “David and Goliath” (Bible Story Pak—Session 7,
pp. 1–2). Show each child how to fold the page in half to create a storybook.
ASK: What did Goliath say to the Israelites every day? (He challenged the
Israelites to a fight and said mean things about God.) What did the Israelites
do when they heard Goliath’s unkind words? (became afraid and would not
fight him) Who came to the battlefield to check on his brothers? (David) David
heard the mean things Goliath had to say. What did David think about what
Goliath had to say? (David did not like what Goliath said.) What did David
decide to do? (He decided to challenge Goliath.) Why did David have courage
to challenge Goliath? (He knew God’s love was with him.) Who was the winner?
(David)
David’s Pouch
Supplies: Fun Pak, gluesticks
• Give each child the “David’s Pouch” page (Fun Pak—p. 15).
• Invite the children to punch out the pouch, the five stones, and the leap-offaith statement.
• Encourage the children to glue the five stones and the leap-of-faith statement
to the pouch.
SAY: David was not afraid of Goliath because he knew God’s love was with
him. David gathered five stones and put them in his pouch. He trusted that
God would help him win the fight with Goliath. We can trust that God’s love
is with us all the days of our lives too. We do not have to be afraid because we
can trust that God is always with us.
Proclaim the Word
David Delivers Lunch
Supplies: two chairs, two plastic or paper plates, two sets of pretend food
• Set the two chairs on one side of the room. The children will have to run
around the chairs, so leave plenty of room between the chairs.
Fall 2013
Session 7
57
4/16/13 12:29 PM
• Separate the children into two groups. Have each group line up on the
opposite side of the room from the chairs.
• Give each team a plate that has a few pieces of pretend food on it.
• One at a time, a child in each group will carry the plate of food to the chair,
around the chair, back to the team, and tag the next person in line. If she or he
drops anything off the plate, the child must go back to the starting point.
• Start the race. The first team that has each member complete the relay, wins.
SAY: In our story today, David is asked to deliver food to his brothers. David’s
brothers are with the Israelite army. David took grain, ten loaves of bread, and
cheese to his brothers and to the army. It’s a good thing David was sent to the
battlefield. Let’s listen to our story.
Lord
SAY: Mondo acts out the story of David and Goliath.
House
Supplies: Reproducible 7a, Resource Pak, five building blocks or small boxes, tape
Gather the Storytelling Figures of the valley, David, Goliath, King Saul, the
Israelites, and the Philistines (Resource Pak—p. 16). Attach each figure to a
building block or small box.
• Read the Bible story, “David and Goliath” (Reproducible 7a). Encourage the
children to “Boo!” when they hear Goliath’s name and to joyously say, “Yay!”
when they hear David’s name.
• After the story, sing the song, “I Can Have Courage,” to the tune of “Rock-abye Baby” a few times through (see column at right).
Say: Raise your hand if you have ever been scared. We have all been afraid of
something. What do you do when you get scared? (The answers will vary. Be
affirming of the children’s answers.) The Israelites were very afraid of Goliath,
but David had courage and trusted that God would be with him no matter
what he was facing. When we feel afraid, we can be like David. We can trust
that God’s love is with us all the days of our lives.
“I Can Have Courage”
(Tune of: “Rock-a-bye
Baby”)
I can have courage.
I can be strong.
I know God is with me
all the day long.
When I am scared,
I whisper a prayer.
And I can have courage
because God is there.
58
October 13
4/16/13 12:29 PM
House”
Get Together”)
house,
Hero Masks
Supplies: Reproducible 7b, Stickers, card stock, crayons or markers, safety
scissors, yarn, paper punch, feathers, gluesticks
• Photocopy “Hero Mask” (Reproducible 7b) on card stock, and cut out one
mask for each child (there are two on the page). Cut two pieces of yarn for
each child.
the Lord’s house,
the Lord’s house.
• Pass out one mask to each child. Encourage the children to decorate their
masks with the supplies you have gathered for them to use, including their
hero Stickers.
• Help the children punch one hole on each side of their masks.
• Encourage them to tie one piece of string through each hole on their masks.
They will be able to tie their masks to their faces once they have added both
pieces of yarn to the mask.
Say: When we get scared, we can remember that God is with us. Our masks
can help us feel brave when we are afraid. David had his stones and sling to
help him feel brave. We are like David when we trust God’s love is with us.
Serve With Love
Stone Snack Cookies
Supplies: (makes about a dozen cookies) 2 cups sugar, 3 cups oats, 1/3 cup cocoa,
1 cup milk, a stick of butter, microwave, microwavable bowl, measuring cups and
spoons, wooden spoon, wax paper, cookie sheet, plates, napkins
SAY: David gathered five stones. Today we are going to make “stone” cookies
to remind us of the trust in God that David had.
• Invite the children to help you measure out the ingredients.
• Microwave butter, milk, cocoa, and sugar in a large bowl on high for three
minutes. Encourage the children to help you stir the butter, milk, cocoa, and
sugar mixture.
TIP
No-bake cookies
normally use peanut
butter. This recipe does
not call for peanut
butter. Always check
your classes’ allergies
list.
• Return the mix to the microwave for two more minutes, then remove.
• Invite the children to add the oats and stir the cookie mixture.
• Take turns dropping the mixture by spoonfuls onto the wax paper-covered
cookie sheet (makes about a dozen cookies).
• After the cookies have cooled a bit, pass out a cookie to each child.
PRAY: Dear God, thank you so much for loving us all the days of our lives.
Help us to trust that you are always with us. Amen.
Fall 2013
Session 7
59
4/16/13 12:29 PM
Supplies: Reproducible 6c, box church from last week (p. 53)
SAY: Each week this month, we will be taking up an offering to help build a
new church for people who need it. The General Board of Global Ministries
with the money we collect. Today we are going to make our own church from
boxes.
• Allow the children to work together to build (or rebuild) a church using the
boxes from last week (see p. 53).
• Pass out a photocopy of “Mission Letter” (Reproducible 6c) to any child who
has not taken one home. Remind them that the money they bring helps build
churches around the world.
Worship
Praise and Prayer
around us.
hands and standing in a circle. Say a small prayer for each child in the Praiseand-Prayer Circle.
• Send home the Bible storybook, “David and Goliath” (Bible Story Pak—
• Invite the children to Sunday school next week, and tell the children that you
Me All My Life”
(Tune: “Where Is
Thumbkin?”)
all my life,
all my life.
me,
me
all my life,
all my life.
Plan for Next Week
Cut ribbons into one-yard pieces for the “Ribbon Dancing Stick” activity
(p. 62). Remove the Bible Story Pak and Fun Pak pages for Session 8.
Photocopy “God Is With Me All My Life” (Reproducible 8b) for each child. You
will need to gather the ingredients for the “Raisin Cakes” activity (p. 65).
60
October 13
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David Dances
Session 8
Bible Verse
October 20
Bible Story
2 Samuel 6:1-19
Leap of Faith
Before You Begin
A
fter David established his throne in Jerusalem, he knew it was time to bring
the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem.
The ark of the covenant was a large wooden box covered in gold. On top were
two golden cherubs, or angels, guarding what was inside. It had four gold rings
on its bottom corners and long, gold poles that went through the rings meant for
carrying the ark high on the shoulders of the Levite priests. Inside the ark were
the two stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments, a jar of manna, and
Aaron’s rod. The ark represented God’s holiness and presence with the people.
Unfortunately, no one remembered that God had rules about how the ark should
be moved. They remembered that the Philistines had brought it to them on a
wheeled cart, so they tried it again, but with tragic results: the death of Uzzah.
They forgot that the ark represented the holiness of God, and they suffered the
consequences. This procession stopped at the house of “Obed-edom, who was
from Gath” (6:10).
The second attempt to move the ark to Jerusalem was done correctly. David
summoned the priests and Levites. The ark entered Jerusalem to the sounds of
music and with sacrifice and worship. David took off his kingly robes and wore
a plain white linen robe and the priestly linen upper garment called the ephod.
David danced with all his might, worshipping God with his whole self. Sadly,
David’s wife, Michal, a daughter of King Saul, lost respect for David for taking off
his royal robes to take part in worship.
There was shouting, singing, dancing, clapping, tambourines, and the sound of
trumpets and other instruments as the ark proceeded to the place prepared for
it. The people gave glory and honor to God. David even provided food for all to
take home. They each received “a loaf of bread, a date cake, and a raisin cake”
(6:19).
David’s trust and obedience to God that gave victory over Goliath culminated
in the nation’s return to worshipping God. The ark of the covenant resided in
Jerusalem, waiting for the Temple that would someday be built by David’s son,
Solomon.
Requires
preparation.
Fall 2013
Session 8
61
4/16/13 12:30 PM
Grow Together
Welcome
• Give each child a dancing frog Sticker for the Attendance Chart (Resource
Ribbon Dancing Stick
Supplies: ribbons of various colors cut into one-yard lengths, large craft sticks,
colorful duct tape, safety scissors
Before the children arrive, cut ribbon into one-yard lengths. Each child will
need three to five ribbons. Cut duct tape into one-inch pieces. Each child will
need one piece of duct tape.
• Allow the children to choose three to five ribbons they like best.
• Give each child one craft stick and a piece of duct tape.
• Encourage the children to fold one length of ribbon in half and place it on the
end of the craft stick. Invite them to continue folding the ribbons in half and
laying them on the end of the craft stick.
TIP
Encourage each child
to make a Ribbon
Dancing Stick. These
will be used during the
“Freeze Dance” activity
(p. 63) and during
“Moving With the
Bible Story” (p. 64).
• After the children have folded all of their ribbons, help each child take the
piece of duct tape and place it over the ribbons. Help each child wrap the duct
tape around the craft stick.
• Have the children set aside their Ribbon Dancing Sticks. They will be used
during the Bible story.
SAY: Today we will be hearing a story about David, the king of God’s people.
David was so excited that he broke into dancing to worship God. What do you
do when you are excited?
Bible Puzzlers
• Give each child “What Is Different?” and “David Dancing” (Bible Story Pak—
• Ask the children to find the seven differences on page 3 between the
illustration on the left and the illustration on the right.
• Encourage the children to turn over their papers. David is missing from the
front of the processional.
Bible Story Pak—
Session 8, p. 3
1. apple in David’s hand
2. David’s sandal
3. front guy’s beard
carrying ark
4. cherub on ark
5. orange music note
6. rear guy’s belt pouch
carrying ark
7. trumpet player’s eyes
62
October 20
4/16/13 12:30 PM
• Encourage the children to draw David leading the people and dancing for
God.
SAY: Our Bible stories this month tell us all about David, the second king
of Israel. In today’s story, David dances for joy as praise to God. Do you like
dancing?
Bible Story Center
• Give each child the story, “David Dances” (Bible Story Pak—Session 8,
• Invite each child to add the ark-of-the-covenant Sticker to page 2 of the story.
ASK: Where did David want to move the ark of the covenant? (Jerusalem)
What is the ark of the covenant? (It is a golden box that had the Ten
Commandments in it.) What did David do when they got the ark of the
covenant into Jerusalem? (danced) Why? (to worship; he was happy) What
other things did the Israelites do during the processional? (shouted, sang,
played music)
Ark of the Covenant
Supplies: Fun Pak, gluesticks
• Give each child the two “Ark of the Covenant” pages (Fun Pak—pp. 17 and
19).
• Invite them to punch out the bottom of the ark of the covenant on page
17. Have them fold along the dotted lines and add glue to the places where
indicated to assemble the bottom.
• Encourage the children to punch out the top of the ark of the covenant on
page 19. Have them fold along the dotted lines to assemble. The top piece,
when folded, will rest on the bottom piece.
• Help the children punch out the Ten Commandments, the Jar of Manna, and
Aaron’s Rod on page 19. These items can be placed in the ark or just used as
storytelling props outside of it.
SAY: David moved the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. This is what it would
have looked like.
Proclaim the Word
Freeze Dance
Supplies: CD-ROM, CD player, Ribbon Dancing Sticks made earlier (p. 62)
Fall 2013
Session 8
63
4/16/13 12:30 PM
Gather the CD-ROM and a CD player.
• Play the fall quarter songs, “Serving,” “Let the Music Play,” and “Leap of
Faith” (CD-ROM).
• Encourage the children to move as they wish while the music plays using their
Ribbon Dancing Sticks.
• Pause the music every thirty seconds or so. When the music stops, everyone
must freeze.
• Dance for a few minutes to get the wiggles out before moving to the Bible
story center.
SAY: David danced to praise God. We can praise God by dancing too. What
other ways can we praise God?
Lord
SAY: The mayor is embarrassed because she is caught doing a happy dance.
She doesn’t think the townspeople will take her seriously as a leader if they
see her dance. Rosie helps the mayor learn that even great leaders like King
David dance for joy.
House
Supplies: Reproducible 8a, Resource Pak, Ribbon Dancing Sticks (p. 62)
Gather “‘Ark of the Covenant’ Poster” (Resource Pak—p. 13). Show the
children what the ark looked like (top) and what was in it (bottom). Remind the
children this box helped the Israelites know that God was with them.
• Read the Bible story, “David Dances” (Reproducible 8a), to the children.
Encourage the children to dance where it is designated in the story.
• After the story, divide the children into four groups.
• Invite the groups to work together to come up with their own dance. The
dance should be about the story. What would “David Dances” look like as a
dance?
SAY: David and the Israelites were so overjoyed in our story. They shouted,
sang, danced, and played music to worship God. What do you do when God
does good things for you?
64
October 20
4/16/13 12:30 PM
House”
Get Together”)
Jingle-Bell Bracelets
house,
Supplies: chenille stems, jingle bells (five per child)
the Lord’s house,
• Let each child choose a chenille stem and five jingle bells.
• Help the children string the bells onto their chenille stems.
the Lord’s house.
• Encourage each child to form the chenille stem into a circle, and twist the
ends together to form a bracelet.
• Invite the children to wear their bracelets for the rest of class.
Say: We can worship God in many ways, just like David and the Israelites
did. We can worship God by making music.
God Is With Me All My Life
Supplies: Reproducible 8b, crayons or markers
Photocopy “God Is With Me All My Life” (Reproducible 8b) for each child.
• Encourage the children to draw themselves as grownups. What will they be
when they grow up?
• Invite the children to share about their pictures with the class.
Say: God’s love was with David all the days of his life. God was with David
when he was anointed as a shepherd boy. God was with David when he
challenged Goliath. God was with David when he brought the ark of the
covenant to Jerusalem. No matter what we grow up to be, God’s love will be
with us all the days of our lives.
Serve With Love
Raisin Cakes
Supplies: 1 cup raisins, 1 to 4 tbs. water, 1/4 tsp. cardamom, 1 tsp. cinnamon, 1/2 cup
chopped walnuts, 3/4 cup chopped almonds, measuring cups and spoons, blender or
food processor, mixing spoon and bowl, plates, napkins, optional: honey
• Chop all nuts prior to beginning the recipe. Set aside a 1/2 cup of the chopped
almonds.
• In a blender or food processor, grind the raisins to a paste. Add water
gradually until the raisin mixture begins to form a large ball. Add the spices,
walnuts, and 1/4 cup almonds. Continue blending until it is thick. Form into
small balls. Roll in the set-aside 1/2 cup of chopped almonds
TIP
As with any food
activity, check for
may have. Let the
parents know what
used today.
• Extra Fun and Messy: Roll in honey first, and then roll in the set-aside
almonds.
Fall 2013
Session 8
65
4/16/13 12:30 PM
Supplies: Reproducible 6c, box church from past two weeks
SAY: Each week this month, we will be taking up an offering to help build a
new church for people who need it. The General Board of Global Ministries
with the money we collect. Today we are going to make our own church from
boxes.
• Allow the children to build (or rebuild) a church using the boxes from the
past two weeks.
• Pass out a photocopy of “Mission Letter” (Reproducible 6c) to any child who
has not taken one home. Remind them that the money they bring helps build
churches around the world.
Worship
Praise and Prayer
around us.
• Send home this week’s Bible storybook, “David Dances” (Bible Story Pak—
Me All My Life”
(Tune: “Where Is
Thumbkin?”)
all my life,
all my life.
me,
me
all my life,
all my life.
Plan for Next Week
Photocopy “Temple Map” (Reproducible 9b) for each child. Remove the Bible
Story Pak and Fun Pak pages for Session 9, and the Storytelling Figures of the
Temple, the Inner Holy Place, and the Most Holy Place (Resource Pak—p. 9,
bottom). Photocopy “Symbols of God” (Reproducible 9c) onto card stock and
cut the symbols out. Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only. © 2013 Cokesbury.
66
October 20
4/16/13 12:30 PM
David’s Son Builds the
Temple
Bible Verse
Session 9
October 27
Bible Story
1 Kings 6; 8
Leap of Faith
Before You Begin
S
olomon’s reign was the golden age of the monarchy of Israel. Israel’s
kingdom was at peace, and there was great prosperity. Solomon was a patron
of the arts, and people attribute a great deal of wisdom literature in the Bible
(Proverbs) to him. He was also famous for his fabulous wealth, his extremely
large harem, and his up-to-date military program. With time to concentrate on
the finer things in life, Solomon embarked on an extensive building project.
One of Solomon’s greatest contributions was the building of the Temple in
Jerusalem. Compared to churches today, it was a modest building. But for
its time, the Temple was a great architectural achievement and the center of
religious life. The understanding of the Israelites was that God wanted there
to be a single, central sanctuary for all of God’s people. Because Jerusalem was
understood to be the chosen place, the building of the Temple by Solomon is
presented as a landmark event in Israel’s history.
Solomon’s Temple stood 45 feet high, 90 feet long, and 30 feet wide. It had two
rooms: the inner holy place and the most holy place (Holy of Holies). The ark of
the covenant stayed in the most holy place, and sacrifices occurred in the inner
holy place. Its walls were cedar, and the floor was cypress wood. The doors were
cypress and olive wood. The entire structure was then covered in gold.
The dedication of the Temple, and moving the ark of the covenant inside the
Temple, was a very significant ceremony. It took place during our present
calendar months of September–October, and was the beginning of the new year.
Solomon oversaw the ritual, and the priests brought in the ark of the covenant
and offered sacrifices. The participants had a seven-day feast (historians believe
it was the Feast of Tabernacles), and everyone praised God.
Solomon’s Temple meant a great deal to the Israelites. When we read this story,
we can remember that God’s love was with the Israelites throughout all of their
history and that God continues to be with us now.
Requires
preparation.
Fall 2013
Session 9
67
4/16/13 12:32 PM
Grow Together
Welcome
• Have the Bible open to 1 Kings 6; 8.
• Give each child a hammer-and-nails Sticker for the Attendance Chart
Temple Map
Supplies: Reproducible 9b, crayons or markers
Photocopy “Temple Map” (Reproducible 9b) for each child.
• Pass out the page to each child, along with some crayons or markers.
• Encourage the children to color in the Temple.
SAY: Today we will be learning about David’s son, Solomon. Solomon built a
beautiful Temple for God.
Bible Puzzlers
• Give each child “Secret Message” and “What Doesn’t Belong?” (Bible Story
Pak—Session 9, pp. 3–4).
• Invite the children to fill in the Bible verse on page 3 by filling in each blank
using the first letter of the picture below the blank. (Answer: I will live in the
Lord’s house as long as I live. Psalm 23:6).
• Encourage the children to turn the papers over.
• Invite them to find and circle the seven hidden objects in the picture.
SAY: Our Bible stories this month taught us a lot about King David. Today we
will be learning about his son, Solomon. Solomon became king after David.
Solomon was a very wise king.
Bible Story Center
• Give each child the story, “David’s Son Builds the Temple” (Bible Story Pak—
Session 9. pp. 1–2). Show each child how to fold the page in half to create a
storybook.
68
October 27
4/16/13 12:32 PM
ASK: Who is David’s son? (Solomon) What did Solomon build? (a Temple) How
many rooms did the Temple have? (two: the inner holy place and the most holy
place) What was brought to put in the Temple? (ark of the covenant)
Stained Glass Art
Supplies: Fun Pak, Stickers, construction paper, gluesticks
• Pass out the “Stained Glass Art” page (Fun Pak—p. 21) and a sheet of
construction paper to each child.
• Help the children punch out all of the hexagon pieces.
• Encourage the children to arrange the hexagon pieces on the sheet of
construction paper. They can arrange their windows any way they wish.
TIP
All ages are doing
stained glass windows.
Put them all on display
for the whole church
to enjoy.
• Invite them to glue down all of the pieces after they have made the design
they like best.
• Encourage each child to add the “God’s love is with me all the days of my life”
Sticker to the window.
SAY: Solomon built a Temple for God. Temples are like churches. In many
churches, you will see windows made out of colorful glass called stained glass.
Stained glass windows began as a way to tell Bible stories through pictures
because many people didn’t know how to read. The windows you made today
will help us remember that God’s love is with us all the days of our lives.
Proclaim the Word
Church Tour
• Take the children on a walk through your church and sanctuary.
• Point out stained glass windows, things on the altar, colors you see, and
anything that reminds you of your congregation.
SAY: We are very lucky to have a church building where we can worship God
together as a family of faith. Our story today is about the first Temple the
Israelites ever had. They went to the Temple to worship God, just like we
come to church to worship God.
TIP
If you cannot tour
your sanctuary during
class time, take some
pictures before class
to show the children
instead.
Fall 2013
Session 9
69
4/16/13 12:32 PM
SAY: Furleen wants Harley to build a jungle gym for her animals, but the
plans are way too complicated. When Papa B steps in to help, he remembers
the story of Solomon building the Temple.
Lord
Supplies: Reproducible 9a, Resource Pak, three building blocks or boxes, tape
Gather the Storytelling Figures of the Temple, the Inner Holy Place, and the
Most Holy Place (Resource Pak—p. 9). Attach each figure to a building block or
box so each figure can stand on its own.
• Read the Bible story, “David’s Son Builds the Temple” (Reproducible 9a), to
the children.
• After the story, sing the song, “Solomon Built a Temple,” to the tune of
“Following the Leader“ a few times through or until the children become
familiar with the song (see column at right).
SAY: Solomon was very wise and knew that the Israelites needed a permanent
place to worship God. For many years, the Israelites would go to a place
called “the tent of meeting.” Solomon wanted to build a Temple instead of
continuing to worship God in a tent. Solomon’s Temple turned out to be
beautiful and a great place to worship God.
House
“Solomon Built a
Temple”
(Tune of “Following the
Leader”)
Solomon built a
Temple,
a Temple,
a Temple.
Solomon built a
Temple
to worship the Lord.
• Encourage the children to sing the song, “I’ll Live in the Lord’s House” to the
Christian Symbols
Supplies: Reproducible 9c, card stock, paper, crayons or markers, scissors
Photocopy “Symbols of God” (Reproducible 9c) onto card stock. Cut each
symbol out so you can show them one at a time to the class.
Say: Solomon built a Temple to God to show the love the people of Israel
had for God. In the Temple, Solomon included the ark of the covenant. Does
House”
Get Together”)
house,
the Lord’s house,
the Lord’s house.
70
October 27
4/16/13 12:32 PM
anyone know what the ark of the covenant is? (It is a holy box made of gold;
carries the Ten Commandments, manna, and Aaron’s rod; meant to symbolize
God’s presence with the Israelites.) Yes, it is a holy box made of gold; carries
the Ten Commandments, manna, and Aaron’s rod; and is meant to symbolize
God’s presence with the Israelites. In church, we have many things that
represent, or symbolize, things for us. These symbols help us remember
things about our faith. It’s like when we see our country’s flag. The flag
represents our unity, and when we see it, we remember our country. I am
going to show you some of the symbols of our faith, and then we are all going
to take time to draw our own symbols.
• Show the children the symbol of the cross. Ask them what they think when
they see the cross. The cross symbolizes Jesus. Jesus died on a cross, and when
we see the cross, we remember that God’s story didn’t end with the cross. We
still are living the story that began on the cross.
• Show the children the symbol of the fish. Ask them what they think when
they see the fish. The fish symbolizes Jesus. The early Christians could not tell
others about the great things Jesus did. They came up with a secret symbol
to help them figure out who they could talk to about Jesus. It was this fish.
When they met someone, they would draw part of the fish, and if the other
person completed the fish, they knew it was safe to talk about Jesus.
• Show the children the symbol of the lamb. Ask them what they think when
they see the lamb. The lamb symbolizes Jesus. Jesus was often called the Lamb
of God.
• Show the children the symbol of the bread and cup. Ask them what they think
when they see the bread and cup. The bread and cup symbolize Communion.
Communion is a meal we share together as a family of faith. It reminds us of
the meal Jesus had with his friends on the last night he was alive.
• Show the children the symbol of the butterfly. Ask them what they think when
they see the butterfly. The butterfly symbolizes new life and reminds us of
Easter.
• Show the children the symbol of the dove. Ask them what they think of when
they see the dove. The dove symbolizes the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our
guide to help us follow God. When we see the dove, we can remember that
God is always with us through the Holy Spirit.
• Pass out paper and something to draw with to each child.
• Encourage them to draw a picture of something that reminds them of God.
Serve With Love
Supplies: box church used all month
SAY: This is the last week of the month that we will be taking up an offering
to help build a new church for people who need it. The General Board of
Global Ministries builds churches all over the world. We will help build a new
Fall 2013
Session 9
71
4/16/13 12:32 PM
church in Russia with the money we collect. Today we are going to make our
own church from boxes.
• Allow the children to work together to build (or rebuild) a church using the
boxes for this project that have been used all month.
• Remind the children that the money they have brought all month will help
build churches around the world.
Worship
Praise and Prayer
loves Solomon from our story. We can praise God, knowing that God’s love is
all around us.
• Send home this week’s Bible storybook, “David’s Son Builds the Temple”
(Bible Story Pak—Session 9, pp. 1–2), with each child.
Me All My Life”
(Tune: “Where Is
Thumbkin?”)
all my life,
all my life.
me,
me
all my life,
all my life.
Plan for Next Week
Photocopy “Raven” (Reproducible 10b) and “Elijah’s Sandals” (Reproducible
10c) for each child. Remove the Bible Story Pak and Fun Pak pages for Session
10, and the Storytelling Figure of Elijah (Resource Pak—p. 8, bottom). You
will need black crepe paper streamers for three activities. You will also need
bread and roast beef lunch meat, if you choose to do the snack activity, “Fed By
Ravens” (p. 89). You may also want to prepare for the “Elijah’s Sandals” activity
(p. 89) before class.
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Reproducible 6a: Samuel Anoints David
Read the following story based on 1 Samuel 16:1-13
to the children twice through. During the first reading,
invite the children to use their Magnifying Glass
necklaces to examine Jesse’s sons’ hearts. During the
second reading, invite the children to act out the story
while you read. Someone will need to be God, Samuel,
David, Jesse, and the remaining children can be the
other sons.
Saul was the first king of Israel, but he began to
ignore God. Saul didn’t want to listen or do what
God told him to do.
God told Samuel, “I have picked a new king. Get
your anointing horn and go to Bethlehem. The new
king lives there with his family. You will anoint the
new king there.”
Samuel headed to Bethlehem and arrived at Jesse’s
family home. Samuel said to Jesse, “God has chosen
one of your sons to be the next king of Israel. Will
you please ask your sons to come here?”
Jesse’s sons came to see Samuel. Samuel thought
right away, “The new king MUST be the oldest son!
He is so tall and strong-looking.” But God said,
“No, Samuel. He is not the next king. You see only
the outside, but I look on the inside at the heart.”
The youngest son, David, came and stood before
Samuel.
Invite the children to pretend to look through their
Magnifying Glasses to help God look at David’s heart.
“David is the one I have chosen,” said God. “He has
the heart of a king.”
Samuel poured oil onto David’s head, anointing him
to be the next king.
God chose David, the young shepherd boy. God
looked at David’s heart and knew that he would
be a good king and leader for God’s people, the
Israelites.
Sing the song, “God Chose David,” to the tune of
“Jesus Loves Me” a few times through.
“God Chose David”
(Tune of “Jesus Loves Me”)
God chose David, this I know,
Invite the children to pretend to look through their
Magnifying Glasses to help God look at Jesse’s sons’
hearts.
for the Bible tells me so.
Samuel looked at each of Jesse’s sons, and none of
them was to be the next king.
He loved sheep, and he loved God.
“Jesse, are these your only sons?” asked Samuel.
“My youngest son is not here. He is watching the
sheep in the fields,” said Jesse.
“Please send for him,” Samuel requested.
David was the youngest son.
The Bible tells me so.
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Reproducible 6b: The Lord’s House
74
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Reproducible 6c: Mission Letter
Build It Up
(October Service Project)
You have entered a construction zone, so
put on your hardhat and grab that jackhammer!
Or maybe you’d prefer to jump into the bulldozer.
Okay, so maybe we aren’t in a construction zone…but we
sure can help build something awesome.
Our service project for the month is to help build
churches in Russia.
Just like in the Book of Acts, many of the Christian
communities in Russia have been meeting in people’s
homes. But they have experienced such huge growth over
the past several years that they have run out of space.
A church building will help allow these followers of Jesus
to be able to worship together and enjoy the fellowship
activities that take place within a church community.
Just think about all the fun that you have at your church
building.
Talk to your group leader about involving your whole
church community in the project. How cool would it be if
your church could say that you helped to build a church
in another country?
And remember, 100% of our contributions to The United
Methodist Church’s General Board of Global Ministries
will go to “building it up.”
Make sure that your group leader knows to mail your
contributions to this address:
UMC Global Ministries
ATTN: Advance GCFA
Church Buildings, Advance #15180N
P.O. Box 9068
New York, NY 10087-9068
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Reproducible 7a: David and Goliath
Gather the Storytelling Figures of David, Goliath,
King Saul, the Israelites, the Philistines, and the valley
(Resource Pak—p. 16). Read the following story based
on 1 Samuel 17:1-51a to the children. Encourage them
to “Boo!” when they hear Goliath’s name, and “Yay!”
when they hear David’s name.
King Saul got word that David was on the battlefield
and not happy with Goliath. King Saul sent for
David. David told Saul, “No one should lose courage
because of Goliath. God is on our side. I trust God is
with me. I will fight Goliath!”
Saul said, “You can’t go fight Goliath! You are just a
young child.”
Set out the valley background, the Israelites, and the
Philistines.
The Israelite army was terrified! The Philistines and
the Israelites were fighting, but the Philistines had a
secret weapon—a more-than-nine-foot man named
Goliath!
“I take care of my dad’s sheep. Sometimes I have to
fight lions and bears to keep the sheep safe. God
protects me when I fight the lions and bears. God
will keep me safe when I fight Goliath.”
“Okay, David. Here is my suit of armor. Put it on to
protect you,” said Saul.
Set out Goliath in the middle of the valley, in between
the Philistines and the Israelites.
Goliath was almost twice as big as everyone else, had
heavy armor, a helmet, leg protectors, a huge spear,
and a shield! Every day Goliath would call out to
the Israelites, “I am the champion of the Philistines!
Send one of your men to fight me! If he wins, then
the Philistine army will give up. If I win, then the
Israelite army will give up. I will beat all of you!”
The Israelites were too afraid to fight Goliath.
Set out David beside the Israelites.
David put on Saul’s armor, but it was too big for
David to walk in. David took it off. He grabbed five
stones and put them in his pouch. He picked up his
sling and walked out to Goliath.
Move David to the center with Goliath.
“You can’t hurt me. You and your God are not big
enough!” said Goliath.
“You may be bigger and have a large spear, but I have
God!” said David.
One day David was sent to the fight to check on his
big brothers. David’s brothers were in the Israelite
army, and they needed some food. David got to the
battlegrounds just in time to hear Goliath taunting
the Israelites and making fun of God. David watched
the Israelites shake with fear. David was not happy
with anything he was hearing or seeing. David loved
God and trusted that God would help the Israelites
defeat Goliath and the Philistines.
“Who does Goliath think he is, taunting the army of
God?” asked David. “God is on our side!”
David put one of the stones into his sling. He swung
the sling over his head and let the stone go. The
stone hit Goliath! Goliath went down, and David
was triumphant. God’s people were overjoyed!
Lay Goliath down, and make the Philistines run away.
God protected the Israelites from the things they
feared. God protects us today too. We don’t have to
be afraid because we can trust that God’s love is with
us all the days of our lives.
Set out King Saul beside David, and move the Israelites
to the side.
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Reproducible 7b: Hero Mask
77
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Reproducible 8a: David Dances
Read the following story based on 2 Samuel 6:1-19
to the children. Invite the children to dance with their
Ribbon Dancing Sticks when instructed to do so in the
story.
David wanted to bring the ark of the covenant to
Jerusalem. The ark of the covenant was a large
wooden box covered in gold. On top were two
cherubs, also called angels, guarding the sacred
things inside. The ark of the covenant represented
God to the people of Israel. If they brought the ark of
the covenant to Jerusalem, then God would be with
all of the people of Israel.
David had to try to move the ark of the covenant two
times. The first time didn’t go well. The second time
went perfectly! David gathered all of the Israelites
and they had a processional, or a parade, all the way
to Jerusalem. The people shouted, sang, danced, and
played music.
All of the Israelites worshipped God. They praised
God for the blessings they had received through
shouting, singing, dancing, and playing music. At the
end of the parade, David led a worship and sacrifice
service for God. David then gave everyone who came
to the worship service a loaf of bread, a date cake,
and a raisin cake.
Encourage the children to dance like David using their
Ribbon Dancing Sticks for a moment, and then return to
the story.
The Israelites were so happy that the ark of the
covenant was brought to Jerusalem. God was surely
with them.
Ribbon Dancing Sticks for a moment.
David led the processional. He took off his kingly
robe and put on a priestly robe to lead the ark of
the covenant into Jerusalem. David was so excited
to bring the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem that
he danced! He danced with all of his body and
worshipped God through his movements. David
praised God by dancing with his whole self.
Ribbon Dancing Sticks for a moment, and then return to
the story.
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Fall 2013
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Reproducible 8b: God Is With Me All My Life
79
4/16/13 12:33 PM
Reproducible 9a: David’s Son Builds the Temple
Gather the Storytelling Figures of the Temple, the
Inner Holy Place, and the Most Holy Place (Resource
Pak—p. 9). Attach each figure to a building block
or box so each figure can stand on its own. Read the
following story based on 1 Kings 6; 8 to the children.
David’s son, Solomon, became the king of Israel.
Solomon was very wise and loved God. He wanted
to build a permanent place where the Israelites
could worship God. Solomon decided to build a
Temple. Solomon prayed to God about the Temple.
God told Solomon how to build the Temple.
The Temple was about 88 feet long and 30 feet
wide. Today, that isn’t very big, but in Bible
times, this may have been the largest building the
Israelites had. It had big pillars at the entrance and
storerooms around the sides. It also had two very
important rooms.
After the story, sing the song, “Solomon Built the
Temple” to the tune of “Following the Leader” a few
times through or until the children become familiar
with the song.
“Solomon Built a Temple”
(Tune of “Following the Leader”)
Solomon built a Temple.
a Temple,
a Temple.
Solomon built a Temple
to worship the Lord.
Set out the Storytelling Figure of the first room, “The
Inner Holy Place” (Resource Pak—p. 9).
The first room was called “the inner holy place,”
and had a gold-covered altar, a table with special
bread on it, and ten lampstands.
Set out the Storytelling Figure of the second room,
“The Most Holy Place” (Resource Pak—p. 9).
The second room was called “the most holy place.”
It contained the ark of the covenant. The walls of
both rooms were lined with cedar wood panels,
covered in gold, and decorated with carvings of
trees, flowers, and angels.
Set out the Storytelling Figure of the finished Temple
(Resource Pak—p. 9).
It took Solomon and the Israelites about seven years
to build the Temple for God. Finally, with all of
Israel’s leaders, the ark of the covenant was brought
to the Temple. The Temple was dedicated to God,
and the Temple was filled with God’s presence.
“Praise God!” said King Solomon.
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Reproducible 9b: Temple Map
81
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Reproducible 9c: Symbols of God
Alissa DeGregorio / Story Book Arts
Alissa
DeGregorio
/ Story Book Arts
Grow!
Proclaim.
Serve.
AlissaDeGregorio
DeGregorio
/Story
StoryBook
BookArts
Arts
Alissa
//Story
Alissa
DeGregorio
Book
Arts
Grow!
Proclaim.
Serve.
Alissa
DeGregorio
/
Story
Book
Arts
Early
Elementary
Grow!Proclaim.
Proclaim.Serve.
Serve.
Grow!
Grow!
Proclaim.
Serve.
Early
Elementary
Grow!
Proclaim.
Serve.
Leader’s
Guide
EarlyElementary
Elementary
Early
Early
Elementary
Leader’s
Guide
Early
Elementary
Item:
9781426768101
Leader’s
Guide
Leader’s
Guide
Leader’s
Guide
Item:
9781426768101
Leader’s
Guide
Issue:
Fall
2013
Item:9781426768101
9781426768101
Item:
Item:
9781426768101
Issue:
Fall
2013
Item:
9781426768101
Job:
PACP01267045-01
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Fall 2013
Issue:
Fall2013
2013
Issue:
Fall
Issue:
Fall
2013
Job:
PACP01267045-01
Issue:
Fall
2013
Page:
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PACP01267045-01
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Job:
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4/16/13 12:33 PM
Unit 3
Prophets and Kings
Bible Verse
Teach me your way, LORD, so that I can walk in your truth. (Psalm 86:11)
Leap of Faith
The Bible teaches me how God wants me to live.
In this unit
Session 10,
November 3
Bible story:
1 Kings 16:29-30; 17:1-7
CD-ROM
Be Like Elijah
version available
Session 11,
November 10
Bible story:
1 Kings 18:20-39
Session 12,
November 17
Elisha
Bible story:
2 Kings 4:1-7
Session 13,
November 24
Josiah/Huldah
Bible story:
2 Kings 22:1–23:23
Session 12: Farley the
Fantastic is trying a new
magic trick, but it doesn’t
work. What he needs is a
miracle—but the mayor
reminds him that miracles
come from God.
Session 13: Ernie
becomes king-for-a-day in
Leaper’s Pointe and learns
what it means to be a
good leader.
Leap of Faith
(theme song)
version available
Session 10: Gabby is bird
watching. She is surprised
when she sees a raven
feeding baby chickadees.
Furleen remembers the
story of how the ravens
brought meat and bread
to the prophet Elijah.
Session 11: Mondo,
Farley, and Gabby act out
the story of Elijah and the
prophets of Baal.
• Be Like Elijah
Fall 2013
• Leap of Faith
(theme song)
Unit 3
83
4/16/13 12:34 PM
Supplies
The Basics
Bible
box of tissues
card stock
CD player
colors)
colored copy paper
computer & printer
construction paper
cotton balls
cotton swabs
craft sticks
crayons
DVD player
gluesticks
index cards
markers (watercolor and
permanent)
newsprint
offering basket
paintbrushes
Beyond the Basics
Session 10
multicolored feathers
wiggle eyes
for “Fed By Ravens”: bread,
roast beef lunch meat,
water
Session 11
red, orange, and yellow
tissue paper
recycled plastic bags
brown butcher paper
yellow butcher paper
paper clips
coverings
paper bowls
paper cups
sizes and weights)
paper punch
pencils
projector or television
posterboard
recycled newspaper
scissors
smocks
stapler, staples
television
washable paint
watercolor paints
wooden craft sticks
yarn
Session 12
Session 13
for “Water Play”: water
drinking straws
table, buckets, or large
or unsharpened
bowls; measuring cups;
pencils (two per
water
child)
air-dry modeling clay
matzo crackers or
toothpicks
bread
Tips for Teachers
Sessions 10 and 13 suggest
food activities. Always
check for food allergies
before serving food to your
children.
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Bible Verse
Teach me your way, Lord, so that I can walk in your truth. (Psalm 86:11)
Session 10
November 3
Bible Story
1 Kings 16:29-30; 17:1-7
Leap of Faith
Before You Begin
A
fter Solomon built the Temple in Jerusalem, God sent a warning to him. God
told Solomon that if Solomon failed to follow all of God’s rules, Solomon’s
children would not rule all of Israel.
Solomon had been very wise and was a great businessman. One of the things
he did to expand the kingdom was to marry into the royal families of other
countries. Solomon had about seven hundred wives. Solomon’s wives did not
all worship God, and Solomon began to worship the gods of his wives. God was
very displeased and very angry. God told Solomon that his children would only
rule two tribes out of the twelve Israelite tribes.
Check out
articles.
God chose a new king for the northern ten tribes. His name was Jeroboam, and
he had worked for Solomon. Once Solomon had died, Jeroboam became the
king of the north, Israel, and Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, became the king of the
south, Judah. Jeroboam disobeyed God by building altars to other gods, and
Rehoboam also disobeyed God by building altars to other gods. The north and
the south waged wars against each other.
Many kings ruled the Northern Kingdom. They all failed to obey God. Ahab
became king, and he was the worst king the Northern Kingdom ever had. He
was evil, and his bad behavior made God more angry. Ahab married a woman
named Jezebel, a woman from a foreign country, and bowed down to her god,
Baal. Ahab even built an altar to Baal inside the Temple! God was so angry and
decided to stop the Israelites from worshipping false gods.
God chose a prophet named Elijah to deliver his warning to Ahab. Elijah told
Ahab that there would be a drought and that he, Elijah, controlled when the rain
would return. Ahab did not like Elijah’s warning. Elijah had to flee. God told
Elijah to go to the Jordan River and hide by the Cherith Brook. Elijah did what
God asked. God sent ravens to feed Elijah in the morning and in the evening.
The Bible tells us how we should live, just like God told the Israelites how
to live. The Israelites did not always obey, and their choices brought hard
consequences. We must remember, though, that God never left the Israelites no
matter what they did. God will never leave us either.
Requires
preparation.
Fall 2013
Session 10
85
4/16/13 12:35 PM
Grow Together
Welcome
• Have the Bible open to 1 Kings 16 and 17.
• Give each child the raven Sticker to put on the Attendance Chart (Resource
Raven
Supplies: Reproducible 10b, Stickers, black crayons or markers, safety scissors,
gluesticks, multicolored feathers, one six-inch piece of yarn per child, wiggle eyes,
paper punch
Photocopy “Raven” (Reproducible 10b) for each child.
• Encourage each child to color the raven black and cut the raven out along the
outer solid line.
• Invite the children to glue feathers and a wiggle eye to the raven.
• Invite the children to add the beak Stickers to their ravens. They can trim the
beak Stickers closer, if they wish.
• Help the children use a paper punch to make a hole on the raven. The
children will string a six-inch piece of yarn through the hole, tie the string
into a circle, and hang their ravens up somewhere in the classroom.
SAY: We will learn about Elijah today. He was a prophet. That means he talked
to God, and God talked to Elijah. In our story today, God sends ravens to
bring Elijah food.
Bible Puzzlers
• Give each child “Help Elijah!” and “Elijah Word Search” (Bible Story Pak—
• Invite the children to help Elijah through the maze to the brook on page 3.
• Can they find all of the hidden words? Help the children find the eight hidden
words from the word bank.
SAY: Our Bible story today is about a man named Elijah. Elijah tried to help
the kings of Israel be better kings. The kings didn’t listen to Elijah. God
wanted to take care of Elijah, so God told him to go to a brook. God sent
ravens to Elijah. The ravens had bread and meat for Elijah.
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Bible Story Center
• Give each child the story, “Elijah and the Ravens” (Bible Story Pak—Session
10, pp. 1–2). Show each child how to fold the page in half to create a
storybook.
• Give each child the three raven Stickers. Have them add the raven Stickers
bringing food to Elijah on page 2 of the storybook.
ASK: Was the king making good choices or bad choices? (bad) Was God happy
or sad about the king’s bad choices? (sad) Who did God send to help the king?
(Elijah) Did the king listen? (No.) Where did God tell Elijah to go? (to a brook)
God took care of Elijah by sending food. Who did God send to bring the food?
(ravens)
Bible Verse Puzzle
Supplies: Fun Pak
• Give each child the “Bible Verse Puzzle” page (Fun Pak—p. 23).
• Invite the children to punch out the pieces from the page.
• Encourage the children to mix up the pieces, and then reassemble the puzzle.
• After everyone has had a chance to reassemble their puzzles, read the Bible
verse to the children.
SAY: This month we will be learning more about our Bibles. Bible stories help
us to know how God wants us to live. Our Bible verse reminds us to learn
about God so we can be better people.
Raven’s Wings
Supplies: one-foot-long black crepe paper streamers (ten per child), tape, scissors
Cut ten one-foot streamers for each child.
• Help each child attach five streamers to each of her or his arms to make raven
wings.
• Invite the children to make up their own raven sounds.
• Encourage them to practice flying and singing like ravens.
• The children will continue to wear their wings during the telling of the Bible
story.
SAY: God helped Elijah by sending ravens to help Elijah. We will hear a story
about ravens today.
Fall 2013
Session 10
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4/16/13 12:35 PM
Proclaim the Word
Ravens Flew to Elijah
Supplies: Resource Pak, CD-ROM, CD player, tape
Gather the Storytelling Figure of Elijah (Resource Pak—p. 8, bottom),
and hang it in an easy-to-reach place. The children will be “flying” to touch the
figure every time you pause the song.
• Play the song, “Be Like Elijah” (CD-ROM).
• Encourage the children to fly around the room while flapping their wings and
singing.
• After twenty seconds, pause the song. The “ravens” must fly to Elijah and
touch his picture.
• At the end of the game, invite all of the children to join you in the Bible story
center.
SAY: I hope the ravens in our class aren’t getting tired yet! You all will have
to help me tell the story of Elijah and the ravens. Elijah had to hide, and God
didn’t want Elijah to be hungry. So God sent ravens that were carrying food to
Elijah each day. We’ll find out more about Elijah and the ravens when we read
our story.
Teach
SAY: Gabby is bird watching. She is surprised when she sees a raven feeding
baby chickadees. Furleen remembers the story of how the ravens brought
meat and bread to the prophet Elijah.
• Show today’s Leaper’s Pointe in Concert, “Be Like Elijah” (DVD). Have the
children sign the Bible verse with the DVD at the end of the episode.
Me
“God Sent Ravens”
Thumbkin?”)
God sent ravens,
God sent ravens
Supplies: Reproducible 10a, Resource Pak
Gather the Storytelling Figure of Elijah for this story (Resource Pak—p. 8,
bottom).
• Read the Bible story, “Elijah and the Ravens” (Reproducible 10a), to the
children.
• After the story, sing the song, “God Sent Ravens,” to the tune of “Where Is
Thumbkin?” a few times through or until the children become familiar with
the song (see column at right).
as help-ers,
as help-ers.
The ravens fed Elijah,
the ravens fed Elijah
some good food,
some good food.
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SAY: Elijah knew that listening to God was the good thing to do. Elijah
wanted the king to make good choices too. When King Ahab did not listen,
God took care of Elijah and kept Elijah safe. God provided water, food, and a
safe place for Elijah. We can trust that God does the same for us too.
to the children: “Teach me your way, Lord, so that I can walk in your truth”
(Psalm 86:11).
“Teach Me Your Way”
Thumbkin?”)
Teach me your way,
teach me your way,
• Encourage the children to sing the song, “Teach Me Your Way,” to the tune of
“Where Is Thumbkin?” (see column at right).
please, oh, Lord.
please, oh, Lord,
Fed By Ravens
I will walk in your
truth,
Supplies: bread, roast beef lunch meat, water, plates, napkins, cups, serving
utensils
I will walk in your
truth
Gather bread, roast beef lunch meat, water, and serving utensils.
• Invite one of the children to pass out plates and napkins.
all my life,
all my life.
• Give each child a piece of bread, a few slices of roast beef, and a cup of water.
Say: When Elijah went to live by the creek, God sent him food. The ravens
brought Elijah bread and meat. The creek had lots of clean water to drink too.
Elijah ate a meal, just like the one we are eating now, every morning and every
evening. God made sure Elijah was taken care of. Who makes sure you are
taken care of? (Mom, Dad, grandparents, God, and so forth)
Serve With Love
Elijah’s Sandals
Supplies: Reproducible 10c, Stickers, card stock, safety scissors, paper punch,
chenille stems, tape
Photocopy “Elijah’s Sandals” (Reproducible 10c) onto card stock for each
child.
• Give each child a copy of the sandals, the two Bible verse Stickers, safety
scissors, four chenille stems, and six pieces of tape.
• Invite the children to cut out their sandals.
• Help each child punch out the holes for the chenille stems.
• Encourage the children to put two chenille stems in the top hole of one
sandal. They will then fold both stems parallel to the sandal and tape them
down to the sandal.
Fall 2013
Session 10
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4/16/13 12:35 PM
• Help them thread each chenille stem to one of the holes on the back of the
sandal. They will then fold both stems parallel to the sandal and tape them
down to the sandal.
• Have them repeat the above steps for the second sandal in the pair.
• Invite the children to add the Bible verse Stickers to their sandals.
• If you’d like, they can wear their sandals to worship time in class.
Say: Elijah trusted God and wanted the kings and people of Israel to trust
God too. Elijah knew that God wants all of us to live loving God and doing
your best at listening to what God wants you to do. We live the way God
wants us to when we read the Bible, say our prayers, and help each other.
Our sandals can remind us to live the way God wants us to.
Worship
Praise and Prayer
“The B-I-B-L-E”
The B-I-B-L-E.
• Sing the song, “The B-I-B-L-E,” three times through, or until the children
have become familiar with the song (see column at right).
Yes, that’s the book for
me.
I stand alone on the
Word of God.
SAY: God loves when we sing praises, when we pray, and when we learn from
our Bible stories. All of these things teach us how God wants us to live. God
loves it when we learn more and grow in our faith.
The B-I-B-L-E.
The B-I-B-L-E.
me.
I read and pray and
then obey.
• Send home this week’s Bible storybook, “Elijah and the Ravens” (Bible Story
Pak—Session 10, pp. 1–2), with each child.
The B-I-B-L-E.
Plan for Next Week
Preview the DVD segment for Session 11. Photocopy “Elijah’s Altar”
(Reproducible 11b) for each child. Remove the Bible Story Pak and the Fun
Pak pages for Session 11. You will need red, orange, and yellow tissue paper for
“Elijah’s Altar” (p. 92); paper lunch sacks, plastic shopping bags, and brown
butcher paper for “Building Elijah’s Altar” (p. 93); and yellow butcher paper for
“Moving With the Bible Story” (p. 94).
90
November 3
4/16/13 12:35 PM
Bible Verse
Session 11
November 10
Bible Story
1 Kings 18:20-39
Leap of Faith
Before You Begin
M
any kings ruled the Northern Kingdom after the split of Israel. They all
failed to obey God. Ahab became king, and he was the worst king the
Northern Kingdom ever had. He was evil, and his bad behavior made God more
angry. Ahab married a woman named Jezebel, a woman from a foreign country,
and bowed down to her god, Baal. Ahab even built an altar to Baal inside of the
Temple! God was so angry and decided to stop the Israelites from worshipping
false gods.
God chose a prophet named Elijah to deliver his warning to Ahab. Elijah told
Ahab that there would be a drought and that he, Elijah, controlled when the rain
would return. Ahab did not like Elijah’s warning. Elijah had to flee.
Three years into the drought, God sent Elijah to talk to Ahab again. This time
Elijah challenges Ahab, and the prophets of Baal, to a competition of the gods.
Elijah even goes so far as holding the competition on Mount Carmel, the sacred
place of Carmelite Baal.
Everyone gathered on Mount Carmel. The contest is announced: The real god
will answer by sending fire to the altar. Despite Baal’s prophets’ fervent prayers,
Baal does not answer. Elijah, however, begins to pray to the God of Israel, and
lightning falls from the sky setting the altar of God on fire. Not only is it set on
fire, but the fire consumes the whole altar. Immediately following the fire, God
sends the rain. The drought is over, and the people believe in God again. God
has won the contest.
This story models the faithful attitude we must all have. Elijah knew that the
faith of the Israelites should not be in anything other than God. That is the most
important thing this story can teach us. We are surrounded by numerous things
vying for our attention. It is easy to let other things, or other people, become
more important to us than God. God does not desire this. God desires our
faithful love.
Requires
preparation.
Fall 2013
Session 11
91
4/16/13 12:36 PM
Grow Together
Welcome
• Have the Bible open to 1 Kings 18.
• Give each child the fire Sticker to put on the Attendance Chart (Resource
Elijah’s Altar
Supplies: Reproducible 11b; crayons or markers; red, orange, and yellow tissue
paper; gluesticks; scissors
Photocopy “Elijah’s Altar” (Reproducible 11b) for each child. Cut the red,
orange, and yellow tissue paper into one-inch squares. The children will use
many squares of each color for the craft.
• Encourage the children to color the altar stones on the page.
• Give each child a handful of tissue paper squares and a gluestick.
• Invite the children to add a “fire” on top of the altar by gluing the tissue paper
squares on their pages.
SAY: In today’s story, Elijah proves to the Israelites that we can trust God. God
sends a fire to light Elijah’s altar, and that makes everyone believe and trust
God. We will hear more about this today.
Bible Puzzlers
• Give each child “We Can Learn From...” and “Elijah’s Altar” (Bible Story
Pak—Session 11, pp. 3–4).
• Invite the children to fill in the blank boxes on page 3 by following the
connected line to its letter. Have them use a crayon or marker to help find the
correct letter.
• There is only an outline of a fire above the altar. Invite the children to draw in
the flames of God’s fire in the outline, and then color the entire picture.
SAY: This month we are learning more about our Bibles and how God wants
us to live. By reading stories like the one we will hear today, we can better
understand how God wants us to act. Elijah was faithful. God wants us to be
faithful too.
92
November 10
4/16/13 12:36 PM
Bible Story Center
• Give each child the story, “Elijah and the Prophets” (Bible Story Pak—
Session 11, pp. 1–2). Show each child how to fold the page in half to create a
storybook.
• Encourage each child to add the flame Sticker to Elijah’s altar on page 2.
ASK: Was the king making good choices or bad? (bad) Who did God send to
help the king? (Elijah) What did Elijah ask the prophets of Baal to do? (pray
to Baal and get him to send fire) Did Baal send fire? (No.) Did anyone send fire?
(God)
“Elijah and the Prophets” Memory Game
Supplies: Fun Pak
• Give each child “‘Elijah and the Prophets’ Memory Game” (Fun Pak—p. 25),
and invite each child to remove all the cards from the page.
• Encourage the children to turn all of the cards face-down in a rectangle.
• The child will turn over any two cards in front of him or her, flipping them
over with the pictures facing up. The child will leave the two cards face-up if
the pictures on them are the same, otherwise the two cards are turned back
over.
• Invite the children to continue matching cards until they have all been
matched.
• The children can then play in groups of two or more, if time allows. Instead
of leaving the cards face-up in a match, the child who matched the cards gets
to remove the cards from play. The child with the most cards at the end of the
game, wins.
SAY: All of these pictures have something to do with our story. What do you
think our story will be about today?
Proclaim the Word
Building Elijah’s Altar
Supplies: paper lunch sacks, recycled plastic bags, tape, crayons or markers, brown
butcher paper
• Give each child a lunch sack and a few recycled plastic bags.
• Encourage the children to crumple up the plastic bags and fill the inside of the
paper lunch bag with them.
Fall 2013
Session 11
93
4/16/13 12:36 PM
• Help the children fold the open end of the lunch sack inward, as if they were
wrapping a present. Tape the folds down to make a brick-shaped stone.
• Pass out stone-colored crayons or markers. Let the children color the edges of
the paper lunch sacks.
• Invite the children to help you build firewood from the brown butcher paper
by rolling the butcher paper into long tubes.
SAY: An altar from Bible times was a stack of stones and wood. It was a
special place where people would worship and remember God. Our story
today is about two altars—one to a pretend god named Baal, and one to God.
We will use the “stones” and the “wood” we just made in our story today
when we build an altar like Elijah.
Teach
SAY: Mondo, Farley, and Gabby act out the story of Elijah and the prophets of
Baal.
Me
Supplies: Reproducible 11a, paper “stones” and “wood” made earlier (p. 93),
yellow butcher paper
Gather the paper “stones” and “wood” made earlier in “Building Elijah’s
Altar” (see p. 93).
• Read the Bible story, “Elijah and the Prophets” (Reproducible 11a), to the
children.
• After the story, invite the children to help you build Elijah’s altar using the
paper stones and wood you made as a class.
• Make a stack of stones. You can form them in a circle or make a pyramid.
• Add the wood on top of the stones.
SAY: Elijah knew that God was the real God and that God wanted the
Israelites to worship only God. Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to
show the Israelites that God was the only real God. What happened when
the prophets of Baal prayed to Baal? (Nothing.) What happened when Elijah
prayed to God? (God sent fire to the altar.) We are going to add “fire” to our
altar today. Let’s take this yellow paper and make our own pretend fire to
remind us today about our story.
• Encourage the children to tear the yellow butcher paper into flames. Add the
flames to the altar.
PRAY: Dear God, thank you for people like Elijah who teach us about you and
the ways you want us to live. Amen.
94
November 10
4/16/13 12:36 PM
Thumbkin?”)
(Psalm 86:11).
Teach me your way,
teach me your way,
please, oh, Lord,
please, oh, Lord.
I will walk in your
truth,
I will walk in your
truth
Following the True Leader
• Select one child to be the leader. Invite the rest of the class to line up behind
the leader.
all my life,
all my life.
• The leader leads the group any direction she or he wants and tries to make up
funny things for everyone to do: skip, turn in circles, somersault, crab walk,
and so forth.
• If any player messes up or refuses to follow the leader, that child is out. The
last child standing is the new leader.
• Play a few times so everyone who wants to be the leader has a chance to be
the leader.
Say: In our story today, the Israelites were following the wrong leader, a
pretend god named Baal. God sent Elijah to help the Israelites follow the right
leader, God. God loves us and is always with us. It makes God sad when we
put other things before our love for God. We follow God when we pray, read
our Bible stories, and help others. Let’s remember to follow the best leader,
God!
Serve With Love
Pop-up Altar
Supplies: plain white paper cups, craft sticks, tape, yellow and red tissue paper,
crayons or markers, scissors
Cut red and yellow tissue paper into strips. Each child will need a few of
each color.
• Pass out a paper cup to each child. Let each child decorate the outside of the
cup to look like a stone altar.
• Show the children how to push a craft stick through the bottom of their cups,
but to leave some of the stick still on the outside of the cup.
• While the craft stick is still inside the cup, encourage the children to add
yellow and red tissue paper strips, using tape, to the end of the craft stick
inside of the cup.
Fall 2013
Session 11
95
4/16/13 12:36 PM
• Show the children how to pull the flames down into the cup so they can’t be
seen and then up out of the cup to be seen.
Say: Elijah’s altar was not lighted and looked like our cups when the tissue
paper is inside the cup. Then God lighted Elijah’s altar, and it looked like our
cups when the fire is up and seen. We can remember the miracle of God’s fire.
Worship
Praise and Prayer
“The B-I-B-L-E”
The B-I-B-L-E.
me.
Word of God.
The B-I-B-L-E.
The B-I-B-L-E.
me.
• Send home this week’s Bible storybook, “Elijah and the Prophets” (Bible
Story Pak—Session 11, pp. 1–2), with each child.
I read and pray and
then obey.
The B-I-B-L-E.
Plan for Next Week
Preview the DVD segment for Session 12. Photocopy “Thank-You Card” and
“Miracle Cone” (Reproducibles 12b and 12c) for each child. Remove the Bible
Story Pak and the Fun Pak pages for Session 12, and the Storytelling Figure of
the Widow’s Jar (Resource Pak—p. 17, bottom). You will need a water table
and large bowls or buckets for the “Water Play” activity (p. 101), and air-dry
modeling clay in various colors and toothpicks for the “Mold My Own Oil Jar”
activity (p. 101).
96
November 10
4/16/13 12:36 PM
Elisha
Session 12
Bible Verse
November 17
Bible Story
2 Kings 4:1-7
Leap of Faith
Before You Begin
W
e ended last week with Elijah proving God is the true God. Elijah continues
in his ministry as a prophet of God. Elijah grows old and passes on his
ministry to Elisha. Elisha has now become the mouthpiece for God. His job is to
deliver messages to the kings and to the people of God. In this chapter of
2 Kings, we see another side of Elisha’s ministry. His ministry isn’t all political; it
is also about the everyday lives of the people.
In the story today, we see Elisha help the family of one of the men in his group
of prophets. The man had died, leaving his widow and two sons liable for the
debts that he had acquired. According to the laws during this time period, if
a man’s debts are not paid by the time of his death, the creditor may seize the
debtor’s property and children.
This man’s widow is in desperate need. She goes to Elisha for help because she
does not have the ability to pay this debt, and she does not want her children
to become slaves. Elisha cannot legally prevent the creditor from seizing the
children. To help the widow, he must come up with another plan. Elisha asks
her what she has at home. She responds, “Your servant has nothing at all in the
house except a small jar of oil” (4:2). Elisha instructs her to borrow jars from her
neighbors and fill them with her oil.
Elisha, through God, miraculously provided this widow with a near abundant
amount of oil. He advises the widow to sell the oil. The money from the oil will
pay off her debts. She and her children were even able to live off the money that
was left over after she paid the debt.
This story moves from the problem that death has caused to the renewed
possibility of life through the miracles given by God. This story also illustrates
that faith is not just the proclamation of the Word, but faith is an active thing
meant to bring hope and new life to others.
Requires
preparation.
Fall 2013
Session 12
97
4/16/13 12:37 PM
Grow Together
Welcome
• Have the Bible open to 2 Kings.
• Give each child the pottery jar Sticker to put on the Attendance Chart
Thank You!
Supplies: Reproducible 12b, crayons or markers, safety scissors
Photocopy “Thank-You Card” (Reproducible 12b) for each child.
• Give each child a copy of the card and a pair of safety scissors. Encourage
them to cut along the outer solid black line.
• Help the children fold the cards in half so the “Thank You!” greeting is on the
front of the card.
• Invite the children to color and decorate their cards for someone who has
helped them.
SAY: It is so important to say thank you when people help us. In our story
today, a widow (a woman whose husband has died) asks a man named Elisha
for help. Do you think she sent Elisha a thank-you card?
Bible Puzzlers
• Give each child “Find the Widow’s Jars” and “Dot-to-Dot” (Bible Story Pak—
• Invite the children to circle all the jars in the picture on page 3.
• The children should connect the dots, and then color the picture of the widow
and her jar.
SAY: This month we are learning more about our Bibles and how God wants
us to live. By reading stories like the one we will hear today, we can better
understand how God wants us to act. Elisha helped another person. God
wants us to help others too.
98
November 17
4/16/13 12:37 PM
Bible Story Center
• Give each child the story, “Elisha” (Bible Story Pak—Session 12, pp. 1–2).
Step 1
• Read the story as the children follow along in their books. If you are using the storybook in a story center, read the story to three children at a time.
• Help the children identify simple words in the story. If you have readers, let them read the story to you.
Step 2
ASK: What is the name of the prophet we are learning about today? (Elisha)
Why was the widow upset? (Her husband died; she owed money and thought
her sons were going to be taken from her.) What did Elisha tell the widow to
do? (collect jars from her neighbors and fill them with the oil from her jar) Did
Elisha’s plan help the widow? (Yes, now she could sell the oil and keep her sons.)
Origami Oil Jar
Step 3
Supplies: Fun Pak
• Give each child the “Origami Oil Jar” page (Fun Pak—p. 27). Let the children
punch out the square.
• Encourage the children to turn the papers over so they can’t see the pattern. • Fold the top right corner to the bottom left corner. Turn the triangle so the longest side of the triangle faces you (Step 1).
Amelia: Pictures
(B.--illustrations or
photos?) of the Fun
Pak folding steps
(B.--you will need to
provide these.)
• Take the top corner and fold it along the baseline (Step 2), then unfold. Step 4
• Fold the bottom left-hand corner up to the crease line just made (Step 3). Now fold the bottom right-hand corner up to the opposite side (Step 4).
• Fold the front fl ap downwards (Step 5). Fold the back top fl ap backwards in the same manner.
• Open up the pouch, and you have a jar (Step 6).
SAY: The widow’s jar had a little bit of oil left in it, but when she asked Elisha
to help her, the oil filled up many jars. It was a miracle. The oil could be sold
for money. The widow could use the money to pay the people her husband
owed money to, and the widow could keep her sons.
Step 5
Step 6
Proclaim the Word
Jar, Jar, Who Has the Jar?
• Gather the Storytelling Figure of the Widow’s Jar (Resource Pak—p. 17,
bottom).
• Invite the children to form a circle by holding hands. They can drop hands and then sit down on the fl oor cross-legged. Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only. © 2013 Cokesbury.
Fall 2013
Session 12
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4/16/13 12:37 PM
• Choose one child to sit in the middle of the circle. This child will cover his
or her eyes and count to ten. She or he will then uncover his or her eyes and
guess who has the oil jar behind her or his back.
• While the child in the middle counts, the other children will be passing the jar
behind their backs around the circle. The children will stop passing the oil jar
when the child in the middle gets to ten.
• The child in the middle then guesses who has the jar. Once the child in the
middle has guessed correctly, the child who ended with the jar will be the new
child in the middle.
• Play this game enough times for everyone to have a turn being the child in the
middle.
SAY: The widow and her sons were told to find jars from their neighbors.
They got as many jars as they could find and filled each of them up with oil.
Teach
SAY: Farley the Fantastic is trying a new magic trick, but it doesn’t work.
What he needs is a miracle—but the mayor reminds him that miracles come
from God.
Me
• Read the Bible story, “Elisha” (Reproducible 12a), to the children.
• After the story, invite the children to act out the story while you read through
“Elisha” a second time.
• Invite them to think about what facial expressions Elisha would have made in
the story, and the facial expressions the widow would have made in the story.
SAY: The widow was sad and afraid. She chose to go to Elisha for help so
she wouldn’t be afraid anymore. Have you ever been sad or afraid? (Give
the children time to answer.) Who do you go to for help when you are sad or
afraid? (Give the children time to answer.) We can go to God, to a pastor, to our
parents, to a teacher, or even to a friend.
(Psalm 86:11).
100
November 17
4/16/13 12:37 PM
Thumbkin?”)
Teach me your way,
teach me your way,
Water Play
Supplies: a water table or buckets, measuring cups, water, paper cups, towels
• Fill a water table or a few buckets or large bowls with water.
please, oh, Lord,
please, oh, Lord.
• Encourage the children to take turns using the measuring cups in the water.
I will walk in your
truth,
• Invite the children to fill a paper cup with 1 cup water and then to fill another
paper cup with 1/4 cup water. Are they the same? Which has more water?
I will walk in your
truth
• Let the children experiment measuring out various volumes of water into the
cups.
all my life,
all my life.
Say: The woman only had a little bit of oil in her jar. Maybe it was a quarter
cup, like we measured out earlier. She asked Elisha for help, and he told her
to gather as many jars as she could find. The widow filled up many jars. When
we measured out a quarter cup, could you have filled up many cups? (No.) It
was a miracle that God did for the widow.
Serve With Love
Miracle Cones
Supplies: Reproducible 12c, safety scissors, streamers, tape
Photocopy “Miracle Cone” (Reproducible 12c) for each child.
• Help each child cut out the circle and along the line to the center of the circle.
• Show the children how to make a cone by folding and “overlapping” the two
cut edges of the circle along the cut line. Help them tape their cones together.
• Let each child pick out three streamers. Help them measure and cut about two
feet of each color.
• Encourage the children to tape each color to the inside of the cone.
SAY: The widow poured out oil to fill all of the jars her neighbors had. When
we “pour out” our cones, the streamers never go away. They will go right back
into the cone and can be poured out again. The widow’s oil and jars were a
miracle. We can remember this miracle when we see our Miracle Cones.
Mold My Own Oil Jar
Supplies: air-dry modeling clay in a few colors, toothpicks, table
• Pass out a handful of modeling clay to each child.
• Invite the children to knead the clay to get all of the air bubbles out.
Fall 2013
Session 12
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4/16/13 12:37 PM
• Encourage them to make a ball with the clay. They can roll it in their hands
or on the table.
• Help them begin making their jars by inviting them to make a hole in the
clay with their thumbs.
• Invite them to continue to form their jars by sticking their thumbs in the
center and pinching the sides of the ball as they pull upwards. As they
continue to do this, the jar will take shape.
• Show the children how to flatten the bottom of the jar by placing it onto a
flat surface, like a table.
• Using a toothpick, encourage each child to write his or her name on the
bottom of the jar. Then have the children place their jars somewhere to dry.
Worship
Praise and Prayer
“The B-I-B-L-E”
The B-I-B-L-E.
me.
Word of God.
• Send this week’s Bible storybook, “Elisha” (Bible Story Pak—Session 12,
pp. 1–2), home with each child.
The B-I-B-L-E.
The B-I-B-L-E.
me.
I read and pray and
then obey.
The B-I-B-L-E.
Plan for Next Week
Preview the DVD segment for Session 13. Photocopy “Blessings Tree,”
“Blessings Tree Leaves,” and “Passover Plate” (Reproducibles 13b, 13c, 13d)
for each child. Remove the Bible Story Pak and the Fun Pak pages for Session
13, and the Storytelling Figure of Josiah’s Scroll (Resource Pak—p. 17). You
will need matzo bread or crackers for the “Passover Meal” activity (p. 107).
102
November 17
4/16/13 12:37 PM
Josiah / Huldah
Session 13
Bible Verse
November 24
Bible Story
2 Kings 22:1–23:23
Leap of Faith
Before You Begin
W
hen his father was assassinated, Josiah (who was only eight years old at the
time) became king of Judah, the Southern Kingdom. Josiah surrounded
himself with good advisors, and they helped him to be an effective ruler. Josiah
was, according to the writer of 2 Kings, the ideal king. Josiah was righteous and
tried very hard to undo all of the bad the former kings had done. Josiah is the
only king to be described as having “walked in the ways of his ancestor David—
not deviating from it even a bit to the right or left” (22:2).
Throughout their history, the Israelites constantly adopted the customs and
beliefs of the communities around them. They incorporated some of these
customs into their religious life. Soon their worship began to take on the
character of the religion of the people of Canaan, which was pagan. Their former
religious laws and rituals were either ignored or forgotten. It was during Josiah’s
reign that a time of religious reform began.
This reformation gained momentum during restoration of the Temple,
when workmen discovered copies of what scholars believe was the Book of
Deuteronomy, a book of Jewish law. Josiah sends for a prophet to help him
interpret the scroll and finds Huldah, a prophetess. She confirms Josiah’s fear:
God is upset with the people of Judah and the way things are going in Jerusalem.
Huldah also tells Josiah that he has done well in the sight of God.
After Huldah helps Josiah read the scroll, it was obvious that the Israelites
had been disregarding most of the Jewish religious practices. Josiah called the
people together as a community to rededicate themselves to their faith. Josiah
also gets rid of all the idols, altars to various gods, priests teaching against
God, and anything that would keep God from being pleased with the Israelites.
Josiah’s reforms even extend into the Northern Kingdom. Josiah also reinstates
the celebration of Passover, a Jewish festival that commemorates the Exodus of
the Jews from Egypt and is marked chiefly by the Seder ritual and the eating of
matzo. Passover had been neglected since Israel became a nation.
Requires
preparation.
The story of Josiah teaches us that we can learn about how God wants us to live
through reading the stories in our Bible. For Josiah, his faith and understanding
of God grew when he read the stories of his faith. Encourage the children in
your class to continue to explore and discover God’s Word.
Fall 2013
Session 13
103
4/16/13 12:37 PM
Grow Together
Welcome
• Have the Bible open to 2 Kings 22 and 23.
• Give each child the scroll Sticker to put on the Attendance Chart (Resource
Blessings Tree
Supplies: Reproducibles 13b and 13c, safety scissors, pencils, crayons or markers,
gluesticks
Photocopy “Blessings Tree” (Reproducible 13b) for each child, and enough
“Blessings Tree Leaves” (Reproducible 13c) for each child to have at least five
leaves. Cut the leaves out before the children arrive for class.
• Give each child the page with the tree on it, and have each child color in the
tree.
• Pass out at least five leaves each to the children.
• Encourage the children to draw or write something they are thankful for on
each leaf.
• Invite the children to glue their leaves on their trees.
SAY: We are all thankful for the many blessings God has given us.
Bible Puzzlers
Supplies: Bible Story Pak, Stickers, crayons or markers
• Give each child “Josiah Looks for Huldah” and “Passover Meal” (Bible Story
Pak—Session 13, pp. 3–4), and the Passover meal Stickers.
• Invite the children to help Josiah through the maze to get to Huldah on page
3. She will be able to help him read the scroll.
• Encourage them to turn their pages over.
• They will see a Passover plate, also called the Seder meal. Help them add the
eight Stickers to the plate and table. Each of the Stickers represents a food
eaten during the Passover meal.
SAY: Our Bible story today is about a young king named Josiah. He wanted
to do what would make God happy. Josiah cleaned God’s Temple, he lived by
God’s Word, and he reinstated Passover. Passover is the yearly celebration and
feast our Jewish friends have to celebrate when God delivered the Israelites
from slavery in Egypt. We will learn more about Josiah and what he did today.
104
November 24
4/16/13 12:37 PM
Bible Story Center
• Give each child the story, “Josiah/Huldah” (Bible Story Pak—Session 13,
ASK: How old was Josiah when he became king? (eight years old) Was Josiah a
bad king who did not listen to God? (No, Josiah was a good king who loved and
listened to God.) What did Josiah do as the king? (He cleaned the Temple; he
found the scroll of God’s rules; he helped the Israelites to love God.) Who helped
Josiah read God’s scroll of rules? (Huldah the prophetess)
Josiah’s Scroll
Supplies: Fun Pak, drinking straws or unsharpened pencils, glue, safety scissors, yarn
Cut one-foot pieces of yarn. Each child will need one.
• Give each child the “Josiah’s Scroll” page (Fun Pak—p. 29).
• Invite the children to punch out the scroll with the Bible verse on it.
• Give each child two drinking straws or two unsharpened pencils.
• Show the children how to glue one straw (or pencil) to the right side of their
scrolls and one straw (or pencil) to the left side of their scrolls.
• Encourage the children to roll up their scrolls by rolling the sides towards the
middle.
• Help the children tie their scrolls together with a piece of yarn.
SAY: In our story today, Josiah finds an old scroll. A scroll was what early
priests wrote on. The scroll that Josiah found had rules written on it that God
had given the Israelites a long time ago. Josiah wanted to follow the rules that
were written down because the rules taught the Israelites how God wanted
them to live. Today we can read our Bible stories to learn how God wants us
to live.
Proclaim the Word
Josiah Cleans the Temple
SAY: Josiah loved God very much, and to show God his love, he had the
Temple cleaned. Josiah wanted the Temple to be a beautiful place to worship
God, but many kings before Josiah had forgotten about God and the Temple.
Let’s play a game where we clean up our classroom, just like Josiah.
• Teach the children the song, “Josiah Cleaned the Temple,” to the tune of
“Following the Leader” (see column at right).
“Josiah Cleaned the
Temple”
(Tune of “Following the
Leader”)
Josiah cleaned the
Temple,
the Temple,
the Temple.
Josiah cleaned the
Temple
to show his love for
God.
We can clean our
churches,
our churches,
our churches.
We can clean our
churches
to show our love for
God.
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• Once the children have learned the words, encourage the children to sing as
they clean up the classroom.
• When you are ready to move the children to the Bible story area, sing the song
again.
Teach
SAY: Ernie becomes king-for-a-day in Leaper’s Pointe and learns what it means
to be a good leader.
Me
• Read the story, “Josiah and Huldah” (Reproducible 13a), to the children.
• After the story, sing, “Josiah Found a Scroll“ to the tune of “The Farmer in the
Dell” with the children until they are comfortable with the song (see column
at right).
SAY: If you could make any rule, what would it be? (Give time for each child to
answer.) Why do you think we have rules? (Give time for each child to answer.)
God gave rules to the Israelites to help them love God and each other. They
had forgotten these rules and were not being very kind to each other or to
God. God has given us a special book that teaches us how to love God and
love others. Can anyone tell me what that special book is? (the Bible)
(Psalm 86:11).
“Where Is Thumbkin?” (see column on the right of next page).
Find the Hidden Scroll
• Gather the Storytelling Figure of Josiah’s Scroll (Resource Pak—p. 17).
• Invite the children to close their eyes and count to ten while you hide the
scroll jar somewhere around the room.
“Josiah Found a
Scroll”
(Tune of “The Farmer in
the Dell”)
Josiah found a scroll.
Hip, hip, hip, hooray!
The scroll said,
“Follow God.”
The scroll said,
“Follow God.”
Yes, yes, yes, it did.
The scroll said,
“Follow God.”
The people said, “We
will.”
will.”
will.”
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• When the children have counted to ten, allow them to search for the jar with
the scroll. When they get close to it, say: “You are getting warmer.”
• Once the jar has been found, ask the children to cover their eyes and count to
ten while the child who found the jar with the scroll hides it.
Thumbkin?”)
Teach me your way,
• Play enough times for every child who wants to hide the jar to get a turn.
teach me your way,
Say: Josiah and the workers were not looking for the jar with the scroll of
God’s rules when they found it. It was something the Israelites had forgotten
about. I am so glad they did find it, though. The rules God had given the
Israelites were made to help them love God and each other. Our Bibles have
these rules in them too. God still wants us to follow the rules so we can love
God and each other.
please, oh, Lord,
please, oh, Lord.
I will walk in your
truth,
I will walk in your
truth
all my life,
Serve With Love
all my life.
Passover Meal
Supplies: Reproducible 13d, crayons of markers, matzo crackers or bread, paper
plates, napkins
Photocopy “Passover Plate” for each child (Reproducible 13d).
• Pass out a copy of the Passover Plate to each child, along with crayons or
markers. Encourage them to color the items as you teach.
Say: We learned today that Josiah found a scroll with God’s rules written
on it. Josiah also encouraged the Israelites to begin celebrating Passover
again. Passover is the yearly celebration and feast our Jewish friends have
to celebrate when God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. The
celebration of Passover follows a very specific outline that included prayers
and a special plate of food.
• Point to the children’s Passover Plate sheets. The first item on it is lettuce.
The lettuce represents the bitterness of slavery. The Israelites had been in
slavery for a long time in Egypt. God saved them by sending Moses to get the
Israelites out of Egypt.
• The second item is haroseth. Haroseth is a mixture of fruit, nuts, and honey.
The haroseth is a brown mixture that looks like the mortar the Israelite slaves
used when they made bricks to build Egyptian cities.
• The third item is a shank bone. Long ago the Israelites would go to the
Temple. Instead of praying like we do today, they offered a sacrifice to God.
The shank bone reminds us of the sacrifices given to God.
• The fourth item is horseradish. This is another food that reminds us at
Passover of the bitterness of slavery. The horseradish will also be used at the
end of the Seder in a sandwich called a Hillel sandwich.
• The fifth item is a boiled egg. The egg reminds us of new life in God. It
reminds the Israelites to walk tall and strong in the freedom God has given
them.
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• The sixth item is parsley. The green parsley reminds the Israelites that spring
and new life are coming after a long winter.
Say: Passover is an important celebration held in the spring by our Jewish
friends. What special celebrations do you celebrate?
• Pass out matzo crackers or bread to all of the children as a snack while you
discuss the things we celebrate at church and at home.
Worship
Praise and Prayer
“The B-I-B-L-E”
The B-I-B-L-E.
• Send home this week’s Bible storybook, “Josiah/Huldah” (Bible Story Pak—
me.
Word of God.
The B-I-B-L-E.
The B-I-B-L-E.
me.
I read and pray and
then obey.
The B-I-B-L-E.
Plan for Next Week
As you prepare for next week’s session, do spend time in prayer for the
children. There will be new music and new Bible verses to teach the children.
Familiarize yourself with the new material.
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Reproducible 10a: Elijah and the Ravens
Gather the Storytelling Figure of Elijah for this story
(Resource Pak—p. 8, bottom). Read the following
story based on 1 Kings 16:29-30; 17:1-7 to the
children.
After the story, sing the song, “God Sent Ravens,”
to the tune of “Where Is Thumbkin?” a few times
through, or until the children become familiar with the
song.
After King Solomon, many of the kings were bad.
They worshipped things other than God. They
broke God’s rules. They were not nice to others.
God became very upset about all of the bad things
the kings were choosing to do.
“God Sent Ravens”
(Tune of “Where Is Thumbkin?”)
God decided to send someone to stop the kings
from making bad choices. God wanted the people
of Israel to know that God was important, that they
should not worship anything other than God, and
that they should follow all of God’s rules.
as help-ers,
Show the children the figure of Elijah.
some good food,
God sent a man named Elijah to tell the king God’s
message. Elijah was a prophet. Prophets told the
kings and the people of Israel what God wanted
them to do and what God wanted them to know.
some good food.
God sent ravens,
God sent ravens
as help-ers.
The ravens fed Elijah,
the ravens fed Elijah
King Ahab was the king Elijah was sent to talk to.
“King Ahab, God wants to you to stop making bad
choices. You should love God and God’s people.”
King Ahab did not listen to Elijah! King Ahab did
not want to do what God said.
“Because you want to make bad choices, there will
be no rain for a long time,” said Elijah.
Elijah was right about the rain. No rain came for a
long time. Because there was no rain, it was hard
to get food. God wanted to make sure Elijah had
plenty of food and water. God told Elijah to go to a
stream.
Elijah did what he was told. He had plenty of clean
water to drink. God also sent ravens to take care
of Elijah. They brought him bread and meat every
morning and every evening.
God took care of Elijah, and God takes care of us.
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Reproducible 10b: Raven
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Reproducible 10c: Elijah’s Sandals
Alissa DeGregorio / Story Book Arts
Grow! Proclaim. Serve.
Early Elementary
Leader’s Guide
Item: 9781426768101
Issue:Unit
Fall32013
Reproducibles
Job: PACP01267045-01
Page: 111
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Reproducible 11a: Elijah and the Prophets
Read the following story based on 1 Kings 18:20-39 to
the children. After the story, invite the children to build
Elijah’s altar.
King Ahab had made some bad choices. Ahab’s bad
choices made God very upset. God sent Elijah to
tell Ahab that God was not happy. Elijah told Ahab
that God would not send rain to Israel as long as
Ahab ignored God and God’s rules.
Ahab didn’t listen to Elijah, and the rain didn’t
come for three years. Three years without rain is
not good. There was hardly any food and no water.
Even the animals had no food or water. Three years
without rain created lots of problems!
God told Elijah, “Go talk to Ahab again. After you
talk to Ahab, it will rain.”
Then Elijah said to the people, “Come here.” Elijah
rebuilt the altar to God. He dug a trench around
the altar and asked some people to pour four large
jars of water onto the altar three times. That would
make the wood really wet and hard to light.
Elijah began to pray to God, “God of Israel, let it be
known that you alone are God. You are the God of
the Israelites, and I am your servant. Please answer
me, and show these people that you are the real
God.”
At that, God sent fire down to the altar. It was so
strong that the fire burned up the wood, the stones,
and the water from the trench. The people were
amazed! They cried out, “God is the true God!”
Elijah went to talk to Ahab. Ahab was not very
happy to see Elijah.
Elijah said, “Ahab, you have continued not to
follow God’s rules. You have continued to worship
other gods. Gather all of Israel and the prophets of
Baal. All of you must meet me on Mount Carmel.”
Everyone met on Mount Carmel. Elijah said, “If
God is God, worship God. If Baal is God, worship
Baal. Let the prophets of Baal build an altar, but
they are not allowed to set fire to the altar. I will
also build an altar, but will not set it on fire. The
people who believe in Baal can pray to Baal to light
their altar. I will pray to God and ask God to light
my altar. The god who sends fire is the true God.”
The prophets of Baal prayed to Baal from morning
until noon. Nothing happened.
Elijah taunted them, saying, “You better pray
louder. I think Baal is sleeping.”
The prophets of Baal yelled prayers to Baal from
noon until evening. Again, nothing happened. Baal
wasn’t real, so nothing happened.
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Reproducible 11b: Elijah’s Altar
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Reproducible 12a: Elisha
Read the following story based on 2 Kings 4:1-7 to
the children. After the story, invite the children to
act out the story while you read it through a second
time. Invite the children to think about what facial
expressions Elisha and the widow would have made in
the story.
Elisha was a prophet and did many great things
for God. A prophet is someone God has chosen to
receive and share special messages that God wants
the people of Israel to know. Many people looked
up to Elisha and would ask him for advice.
One day a widow came to see Elisha. A widow is
a woman whose husband has died. She was very
upset. She missed her husband, and she was also
very scared. The widow’s husband had owed money
to another man. The man wanted the widow to pay
him back, but she had no money. She only had two
sons. The man wanted to take her sons away.
“Please help me! I don’t have any money, but I don’t
want to lose my sons,” said the widow.
Elisha asked, “What do you have at home?’
“Nothing, except a small jar of oil,” said the widow.
“Ask your neighbors to give you as many empty jars
as they can. Go home with all of the jars. Close the
door behind you and your sons. Then you will pour
oil into all of the jars your neighbors gave you,”
said Elisha.
The widow did what Elisha told her to do. Her sons
collected all of the empty jars their neighbors had.
She filled each one up with the little bit of oil from
her oil jar. When the last jar was full, the oil ran
out.
The widow went back to Elisha. “I have filled all of
the jars. Now what should I do?” asked the widow.
“Sell all of the oil and pay off your debts!”
exclaimed Elisha.
The widow’s story was a miracle. We can trust God,
just like Elisha and the widow, when we have a
need, when we are sad, and when we are afraid.
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Thank
You!
Reproducible 12b: Thank-You Card
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Reproducible 12c: Miracle Cone
Teach me your way, Lord, so
that I can walk in your truth.
Psalm 86:11
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Reproducible 13a: Josiah and Huldah
Read the following story based on 2 Kings 22:1–23:23
to the children. After the story, sing, “Josiah Found a
Scroll,” to the tune of “The Farmer in the Dell” with
the children until they are comfortable with the song.
When Josiah was eight years old, he became the
king of Judah, the Southern Kingdom of Israel.
Josiah was a good king, and he loved God.
When Josiah was king, the Israelites had forgotten
God and were not doing what God asked them to
do. Josiah was different from the other Israelites.
Josiah tried to do what God wanted him to do, and
Josiah tried to help the Israelites follow and love
God too.
When Josiah got a little older, he decided to clean
and restore the Temple. The Temple was supposed
to be a place where the Israelites could worship
God, but the Temple had not been used for that
in many years. Josiah knew that this special place
needed to be fixed up so they could all worship God
there.
“Josiah Found a Scroll”
(Tune of “The Farmer in the Dell”)
The scroll said, “Follow God.”
Yes, yes, yes, it did.
The people said, “We will.”
Josiah had many people helping him clean the
Temple. One day, one of the workers found a large
clay jar. Inside the jar, the worker found a scroll.
The scroll was brought to Josiah, but he needed
help reading the scroll. He sent for someone to help
him read the scroll.
A prophetess named Huldah came to help Josiah.
A prophetess is a woman whom God has chosen to
receive and share special messages that God wants
the people of Israel to know. She read the scroll to
Josiah. The scroll was full of God’s rules.
Josiah was very sad. The Israelites were breaking all
of God’s rules. God surely must be upset with them
all. Huldah told Josiah that God was upset, but that
God saw the great things Josiah was doing. Josiah
made God happy.
Josiah called all of the Israelites together. He read
the scrolls to them. “We must change,” Josiah said
to the people. “We must love God and follow the
rules God has given to us.” Josiah and the Israelites
promised to follow God’s rules together.
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Reproducible 13b: Blessings Tree
118
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Reproducible 13c: Blessings Tree Leaves
Fall 2013
119
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Reproducible 13d: Passover Plate
lettuce
haroseth
parsley
boiled egg
horseradish
shank bone
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Ministry With
Special Needs Children
According to the National Organization on Disability, there are fifty-four million people in the United States
with disabilities. That means one in five Americans have a disability of some sort. With this kind of number
of children being diagnosed with some kind of learning disability or special need, we as a church must
accept that the children in our classrooms will be part of that sociological makeup. We are called to: “Let the
children come.” All children are included in this invitation. We must learn how to meet the needs of these
children and their families. One of the easiest and most effective things you can do as a teacher is to adjust
the way you manage your classroom. Here are some helpful classroom management tips that will help all of
the students in your room.
e in contact with the guardians of the children in your classroom. They will know their child better than
1. B
anyone else. They will be able to tell you what works best for their child at home, at school, and in social
activities. They can give you suggestions on how to work with their child.
2. P
ost the rules and expectations where the class can see them. Make sure the rules are written in “We will”
statements, and not “We will not” statements. If you provide only what your class will not do, the children
will not know what the class will do. With each written rule, provide a picture of what that behavior or
action looks like.
rovide a visual schedule of the class session. What will your class be doing that day? Giving this
3. P
information to your children will help them stay focused and attentive.
4. H
ave a box of “fidget toys” available for your class. It can help your children to have something to touch
and manipulate while they listen. Some suggested fidget toys include: play dough, chenille stems, Slinkys®,
stress balls, Klixx®, or Magic Loops.
5. Use a timer in your classroom with each activity. The timer will help everyone in the room stay focused
because they only have to focus for the amount of time you give them.
6. Provide a small tent or a quiet space
in the classroom. This will provide
the children with a space to go to if
they feel overloaded and are in need
of some quiet time. Place books,
crayons and paper, and prayer
stones in this space.
7. If you know you have a child who
has a hard time focusing, invite that
child to sit in a place where he or
she will be sure to see you. This
will help the child maintain focus
and feel more included.
8. Provide movement breaks during
class. You could turn on the Music
CD-ROM and dance out the
wiggles, stretch, or go for a quick
walk around your classroom.
By Brittany Sky Stanley
Fall 2013
SON EE LG pp121-128 back ID004.indd 121
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1 Samuel 3:9
Speak
Fold in your thumb like the
number four and tap the chin
twice.
Your
Hold up your hand, with the
palm facing out.
Lord
Make an “L” with the right
index finger and thumb. Place
the “L” at the left shoulder
and then move the “L” across
the body to the right waist.
Serve
Hold both hands palms up.
Move your hands several times
in front of your body with one
hand moving forward while the
other hand moves backward.
Listening
Extend your index finger,
middle finger, and thumb.
Place your thumb below your
earlobe. Bend your index and
middle fingers toward your
thumb twice.
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Psalm 23:6
I will live in the Lord’s house as long as I live.
Me
Point to yourself.
Live
Hold both hands at your waist
with your thumbs and index
fingers pointing out. Move your
hands up and along your chest.
House
Touch the fingertips of both
hands together in the shape of
a roof. Bring the hands apart
and down to outline the walls
of the imaginary house.
Lord
index finger and thumb. Place
the “L” at the left shoulder
and then move the “L” across
the body to the right waist.
Long (Forever)
Hold up your right index finger
and circle it in the air. Then
bring your hand down and
out with the thumb and little
finger straight out. The three
middle fingers are curled into
the palm.
Fall 2013
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Psalm 86:11
Teach me your way, Lord, so that I can walk in your truth.
Teach
Close fingers. Start behind
your ears and pull your
hands forward.
Lord
[See above.]
Lord
index finger and thumb.
Place the “L” at the left
shoulder and then move
the “L” across the body to
the right waist.
I
Point to yourself.
Your
Hold up your hand, with
the palm facing out.
Walk
Hold your hands in
front of you, palms
down, and move
them as if they were
feet in the process
of walking.
Your
[See above.]
Way
Begin with elbows at your
waist and hands extended,
palms facing each other.
Move hands forward,
unbending your elbows.
Truth
Hold your index
finger against your
lips. Move your
finger forward
several inches using
a quick motion.
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Serving
Serving.
I’m all about serving.
My faith is unswerving.
This is what I’ve waited for,
created for.
I’m giving.
To God, I am giving
the life that I’m living.
I’m ready to take the test,
do my best.
Just like Samuel,
listening is the key.
God is calling—
calling out to you,
calling out to me.
Serving.
I’m ready for serving.
So ready for serving.
I hope I deserve.
It’s an honor and a blessing
to serve.
I like giving.
I like giving.
I am living;
I’ll do my best.
Just like David,
faithful as can be.
God is calling—
calling out to you,
calling out to me.
Serving.
I’m ready for serving.
So ready for serving.
I hope I deserve.
to serve.
to serve.
What a blessing,
blessing to serve.
I like serving.
I like serving.
I’m unswerving,
here to help God.
WORDS: Dennis Scott
© 2013 Act IV Music
Fall 2013
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Let the Music Play
God’s always been looking out for me,
helping me be all that I can be.
A love that will last for eternity,
that’s all we’ll ever need.
God is the music.
We are the song.
We want to follow God’s way—
singing together, forever strong.
So let the music play.
Sing unto God with a brand-new song.
Sing unto God,
singing clear and strong.
Sing unto God, and you can’t go wrong.
And that’s what I believe.
Celebrate God each and every day.
Celebrate God in a joyful way.
A beautiful song every time you pray,
that’s all you’ll ever need.
God is the music.
We are the song.
We can give thanks in so many ways—
lift up our voices with song and praise.
God will be with us for all our days.
And that’s what we believe.
God is the music.
We are the song.
Let it play!
God is the music.
We are the song.
Let it play! Let it play!
WORDS: Dennis Scott
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Be Like Elijah
Oh
Oh
Oh
Oh
wee
wee
wee
wee
oh
oh
oh
oh
way oh
way
way oh
way
If I were a prophet,
a messenger from God on high.
If I were a prophet,
with God alone to be my guide,
I would live the way that
the Bible teaches me.
Oh, yeah.
And devote myself to my God eternally.
I want to be like Elijah.
I’d be faithful and giving
and loving and living for God.
And, no, it shouldn’t surprise ya
that when you look at me,
you’ll see I want to be
like Elijah. Like Elijah.
Oh
Oh
Oh
Oh
wee
wee
wee
wee
oh
oh
oh
oh
way oh
way
way oh
way
A prophet is honest,
obedient, and loving too.
And just like Elijah,
God would tell me what to do.
Tell that Ahab king,
“Bring it on,” and he will see.
Oh, yeah.
When the smoke has cleared,
there is one true God for me.
I’d be faithful and giving
and loving and living for God.
And, no, it shouldn’t surprise ya
that when you look at me,
you’ll see I want to be
like Elijah. Like Elijah.
Oh
Oh
Oh
Oh
wee
wee
wee
wee
oh
oh
oh
oh
way oh
way
way oh
way
Oh
Oh
Oh
Oh
wee
wee
wee
wee
oh
oh
oh
oh
way oh
way
way oh
way
WORDS: Dennis Scott
Fall 2013
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Comments From Users—Early Elementary (GrowProclaimServe.com/Survey)
1. Which
resources do you use? (check all that apply)
q Leader’s Guide
q Bible Story Paks (Student resources)
q Fun Paks
q Resource Pak
q Music CD-ROM / Music CD
q DVDs
q Publicity Items (Banner, Postcard, and so forth)
2. Which quarter did you teach?
q Fall
q Winter
q Spring
q Summer
Use the following scale to rate each of the resources:
1 = NEVER
2 = SOMETIMES
3 = MOST OF THE TIME 4 = ALL THE TIME
N/A = NOT APPLICABLE
3. Leader’s Guide
___ Easy to use
sed a variety of learning styles
___ U
atched my current church situation
___ M
___ B
ible story was central to the session
4. Bible Story Paks
___ Activities were fun for the kids
___ Art was appealing
ppropriate for the skill level of my boys and girls
___ A
___ Encouraged growth in Bible skills
5. Fun Paks
reative activities that the children enjoyed
___ C
___ Clear and concise directions
___ R
elated to the faith experience of the session
___ Age-appropriate for the children
10. W
hat was your least favorite activity this quarter?
11. T
ell us about one faith experience in your group this quarter.
12. D
id you find enough material for the time you had available?
YesNo
How much time did you have?
Comment:
13. D
id you see spiritual growth in your kids? (in prayer, eagerness
about the Bible, their relationships with one another)
Yes
No
14. Any other comments?
15. H
ow many children did you have in your group?___________
ow many leaders did you have in your group for each age level that
16. H
you taught?__________________________________________
17. W
hat is the approximate membership size of your church?
q Under 100
q 100–199
q 200–299
q 300–499
q 500–749
q 750–999
q 1000+
18. What area is your church located?
q Suburban
q Urban
q Small town
q Rural
Name:__________________________________________________
Church Name:___________________________________________
Church Address:__________________________________________
City:___________________________________________________
6. Resource Pak
___ Visually appealing to the children
___ Games were fun and easy to lead
State:___________________________________________________
ZIP:____________________________________________________
E-mail Address:__________________________________________
7. Music CD-ROM / Music CD
hildren enjoyed singing and moving to the music
___ C
___ Music related to the sessions
8. D
VDs
hildren enjoyed Leaper’s Pointe
___ C
___ Children enjoyed the music and movement videos
___ T
he sign language of the Bible verse was helpful
9. What was your favorite activity this quarter?
Phone #:________________________________________________
Please return this form to:
The Children’s Team
201 8th Avenue, South, P.0. Box 801
Nashville, TN 37202-0801
If you have additional questions or comments please contact:
Curric-U-Phone: 1-800-251-8591, or [email protected].
128
Fall 2013
4/16/13 12:39 PM
Scope and Sequence 2013–2014
Spring 2014
Unit 1: From Judges to Kings
Unit 1: The Way to Jerusalem
1. Deborah
2. Hannah
3. God Calls Samuel
4. Samuel the Judge
5. Choosing a King
1. Jesus and the Children
2. A Man Born Blind
3. Zacchaeus
4. The Lord’s Supper
5. Praying in the Garden
Unit 2: David the King
Unit 2: In Jerusalem
6. Samuel Anoints David
7. David and Goliath
8. David Dances
9. David’s Son Builds the Temple
6. Peter’s Denial
7. Palm Sunday
8. Easter
9. Road to Emmaus
Unit 3: Prophets and Kings
Unit 3: Peter
10. Elijah and the Ravens
11. Elijah and the Prophets
12. Elisha
13. Josiah/Huldah
10. Peter’s Declaration
11. Peter and John
12. Peter and Tabitha
13. Peter in Prison
Winter 2013-2014
Summer 2014
Unit 1: The Birth of Jesus
Unit 1: Becoming the Church
1. A Child Is Born
2. A Message to Mary
3. A Message to Joseph
4. Good News!
5. Simeon and Anna
1. The Promise of the Holy Spirit
2. Pentecost
3. Proclaim With Boldness (Peter and John)
4. Offering for Jerusalem
5. One Body, Many Parts
Unit 2: The Life of Jesus
Unit 2: Prayer and Praise
6. The Wise Men
7. Jesus at the Temple
8. Jesus’ Baptism
9. Jesus in the Synagogue
6. Psalm 100
7. Psalm 150
8. Solomon’s Prayer
9. The Tax Collector and the Pharisee
Unit 3: Jesus’ Ministry
Unit 3: Peacemaking
10. Jesus Calls Fishermen
11. Jesus Heals Peter’s Mother-in-law
12. Jesus Teaches the Beatitudes
13. Jesus Calms the Storm
10. Abraham and Lot
11. David and Abigail
12. Mephibosheth
13. Love Your Enemies
14. Blessed Are...
Vol. 2 • No. 1 • FALL 2013
Editorial / Design Team
Brittany Sky Stanley................................................. Editor
Julie P. Glass.......................................... Production Editor
Amelia Qu............................................................ Designer
Administrative Team
Neil M. Alexander............................................... Publisher
Marjorie M. Pon................. Associate Publisher and Editor of
Church School Publications (CSP)
Phillip D. Francis..................Senior Design Manager, CSP
LeeDell B. Stickler...... Senior Editor, Children’s Resources
o n ly
Finding Bethlehem
Grow, Proclaim, Serve: Early Elementary, Leader’s Guide: An
official resource for The United Methodist Church approved
by the General Board of Discipleship and published quarterly
by Cokesbury, a division of The United Methodist Publishing
House, 201 Eighth Avenue, South, P.O. Box 801, Nashville, TN
37202-0801. Price $9.99. Copyright © 2013 Cokesbury. All
rights reserved. Send address changes to Grow, Proclaim, Serve:
Early Elementary, Leader’s Guide, Subscription Services, 201
Eighth Avenue, South, P.O. Box 801, Nashville, TN 37202-0801
or call 800-672-1789. Printed in the United States of America.
To order copies of this publication, call toll free: 800-672-1789.
You may fax your order to 800-445-8189. Telecommunication
Device for the Deaf/Telex Telephone: 800-227-4091. Automated
order system is available after office hours. Or order online at
cokesbury.com. Use your Cokesbury account, American Express,
Visa, Discover, or MasterCard.
If you have questions or comments, call Curric-U-Phone toll
free, 800-251-8591. Or e-mail [email protected].
For information concerning permission to reproduce any
material in this publication, write to Rights and Permissions, The
United Methodist Publishing House, 201 Eighth Avenue, South,
P.O. Box 801, Nashville, TN 37202-0801. You may fax your
request to 615-749-6128. Or e-mail permissions@umpublishing.
org.
Scripture quotations, unless noted otherwise, are from the
Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 by the Common
English Bible. All rights reserved. Used by permission. www.
CommonEnglishBible.com
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 — 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
PACP01267045-01
A Child’s Activity Book for Christmas
Daphna Flegal; illustrated by Mike Jaroszko
How can you help children find the true meaning of
Christmas in the midst of all the commercial hype?
By helping them find Bethlehem.
As your children read or listen to the story of Jesus’
birth—based on the Gospel of Luke—they’ll enjoy
searching for the town of Bethlehem, Mary and
Joseph, and the shepherds. And they’ll be eager
to share the story with others and help them find
Bethlehem too.
Finding Bethlehem includes mazes, a word search,
and an Advent calendar with stickers to use
throughout the season. It’s the perfect gift for every
child between ages 4 and 10 in your congregation.
Published by
Order online at Cokesbury.com
or call 800-672-1789.
Order early—quantities are limited!
GPS137010026ND001.indd 1
1
$ 59
GPS137010026 PACP01354273-01
Fall 2013
An Affordable, New
Christmas Gift Book for Every
Child in Your Church!
Cokesbury.com | 800.672.1789
3/21/13 1:35 PM
4/16/13 10:30 AM
ISBN-13: 978-1-426-76810-1
9
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03
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BFVNUEgEVU1QSABRPy28BTExLjk2Ajky
ATIMSVNCTiBCYXJjb2RlDTEtNDI2LTc2
03 0072
90000
781426 768101
4/18/13 3:29 PM

Early Elementary Guide Fall 2013 - First United Methodist Church in

Transcription

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