Teaching Kids the Bible

Praise God! Part 5

2010-12-08T17:07:00.009-06:00

Our kids understand why we need to praise God! This exercise has also equipped them with the vocabulary to praise God.

We defined praise one last time:
Praise God: To tell God how great He is!
Praise God: To thank God for all He has done for us!

Orange: Who is praising God?
Yellow: Why are they praising God?
Pink: What action are they taking to praise God?

I made a sheet for the kids to fill out:

_____________________________ Praises God

God deserves my praise because____________________

I praise God when I ___________________

When I praise God, I use words like ________________________

I can do these things when I praise God ____________________.

I will praise God because He _____________________________.

Praise God in the ______________________________________.

Praise God when He ____________________________________.

Praise the Lord with ____________________________________.

Because God is __________________________, I will praise Him.

I will give God _________________________________.

When I praise God, I feel ________________________________.

______________________________ praises God.

Praise God ________________________________________.

Of course we colored it before we wrote on it...

And then we filled it in, either with words from our brain, or with words from the construction posters on the wall.

Here are some finished products!

I think it went very well and can't wait to do it again with another set of children.

Praise God! Part 2

2010-12-01T16:48:00.001-06:00

The Lesson Plan for week 1:

Define praise: allow kids to define first.
Praise: To tell someone how great they are
Praise: To thank someone for what they have done for us

Praise God: To tell God how great He is
Praise God: To thank God for all He has done for us.

Discuss:
Who gets praised? We all do
What do we get praised for? doing what we're asked, being polite, etc
Who praises God? We all do
What does it look like when I praise God?
How long do we praise God?
Where do we praise God?

On a note card or paper write
Orange: who praised God?
Yellow: why did they praise God?
Pink: actions they did to praise God?

Introduce a song for the kids to sing. We sang several songs, but we started with verse 1 of Praise Him (#300 in Songs of Faith and Praise). We sang it together, then we read the first stanza, defining words as we went. Taking the orange crayon we had given the kids, we asked them to draw over the words in that stanza that discussed who was praising God. We repeated this process for yellow and pink colors as well, only on the first stanza.

We next did the same project with Doxology (#66). It was simple song to sing, and another way to teach the kids to praise God. Again, we had the kids highlight with orange, yellow, and pink crayons.

The completed "Praise Him." It took three weeks to finish.

A sideways Doxology.

This took about 40 minutes. I don't know why I thought I could teach this whole lesson in 1 hour! Parts 3 and 4 coming soon!

Cleaning up the blog

2010-11-18T10:41:00.001-06:00

I'm not sure what happened to our lessons, but some of them are, well, wonky. It's a technical term. :) I will go back through and clean them up slowly over the next few days. Hopefully these from this point forward stay un-wonky. Thanks for your patience.

Praise God!

2010-11-17T10:39:00.000-06:00

As adults, we take for granted that we know how to praise God. Think about it: HOW do we praise God, and HOW did you learn how to do so?

The elders tasked us with teaching our children Revelation. Yikes! A difficult task for anyone, but to bring Revelation to a 6 year old level required brain stretching. What did we want our little ones to learn about Revelation? God won the fight? Heaven is a wonderful place? Jesus is Lord of all? We certainly didn't want to introduce new vocabulary like "prostitute." Or cause nightmares in one of our sensitive souls.

So, we're praising God. All throughout the book, the saints, elders, 4 living creatures, and the heavenly host are gathered around the throne in heaven, praising God. Can you imagine it! It gives me chills, and it gave Kim chills, and we want it to give our little ones chills, too.

Over the next three Sundays, we're going to be teaching our children praise vocabulary using song book songs, children's songs, Psalms, and key verses from Revelation (there's the tie-in) to teach our children how to praise. We will post pictures and lesson plans as I write them. For now, here's a letter we wrote and sent to the parents and children in our class:

Dear parents of our wonderful first graders,

This Sunday and for the next two Sundays, we will be studying praise. We are going to be discussing who praises God, what we do when we praise God, what words we use to praise God, and why God needs to be praised. It’s a lot to cover, and we would love your help to reinforce these ideas at home. Today we looked at two song book songs that discussed praising God. We also looked at Revelation 4: 5, 11 and saw the four living creatures praising God. Next week, we will again look at a song book song and Psalm 100 to see what words are used to praise God and why we should be praising Him. Next, we will use our new skills to write our very own Psalm of praise to God. We will also look more closely at Revelation 5 and the praise vocabulary that is presented to us in that chapter.

We will have homework for the next two weeks. That sheet is attached. We are encouraging your child to make praising God a natural part of his day. We hope that as we enter this season of Thanksgiving, this will help your child understand that all blessings come from God, including his Son.

Learning to praise God is so exciting, and it’s a skill that needs to be developed. We hope you will partner with us in teaching your child this valuable skill.

In Him,

And the homework sheet:

Praise: To tell God how great He is

Praise: To thank God for all He has done for me.

This week I praised God for two things every day.

Monday: 1. ____________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________

Tuesday: 1. ____________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________

Wednesday: 1. ____________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________

Thursday: 1. ____________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________

Friday: 1. ____________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________

Saturday: 1. ____________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________

Sunday: 1. ____________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________

When you bring this sheet back on Sunday, you will get three extra stickers. We can’t wait to read your praises to God!

Love, Mrs. Kim and Mrs. Daesha

Salty Words

2009-11-05T15:00:00.001-06:00

This is a salt shaker with real salt glued on the top! Glue sticks work wonders! :)

Daniel and the Lions Den

2009-11-05T14:58:00.001-06:00

This is another adorable craft my three year old twins came home with. We have used the bag puppet to retell the story about 100 times since Sunday! :)

Habakkuk lesson and craft ideas

2009-11-03T16:19:00.002-06:00

Here is a Habakkuk lesson:

What does it mean to be near something? It means you can reach out and touch it. It means you can feel it and know that it is there. Near is being close by to something.

God is always near to us.
God hears every word we say and knows every thought in our minds.

·If we want to be closer to God all we have to do is get closer to Him.

·Read James 4:8 – Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

·Ask God to come to you and he will! What a wonderful and powerful promise from God to us.

Story

·God is always near to us. Even in the Old Testament God was near.

·In fact, in those days God actually talked to people.

·Those people were called prophets.

·What do you remember about prophets?

·Sing prophet song.

· There was a prophet named Habakkuk. The book in the Bible that he wrote for us is a conversation between him and God! Isn’t that cool?!?!

· Habakkuk had a lot of questions that he wanted to ask God.

· If you could ask God a question, what would it be?

· Let’s see what questions Habakkuk asked God.

· Read Habakkuk 1:1-4

· Hold up Questions chart.

· God was near to Habakkuk. He heard his questions and he answered them!

· How do we ask God questions today? (through prayer)

· Habakkuk got his answer by hearing God’s voice.

· How do we get our answers?

· We get our answers by praying more and reading the Bible by ourselves and with our families.

· ;Habakkuk stood on the watchtower and saw all the bad things that were happening in the city. It made him very sad and confused.

· But Habakkuk trusted God to take care of him and his people.

· Sometimes we see all the bad things that people do and we get sad and confused. But like Habakkuk, we need to trust God and listen for his answer.

· Read Habakkuk 2:1

God is near to us. He will hear our cries and our questions. And God will answer us, just like he answered Habakkuk.

Here are more craft ideas for Habakkuk:

· Kids draw a watchtower and glue a strip with verse 2:1 on it to the paper.

· Use sugar cubes to build a watchtower. Could glue it to paper and then glue on verse strip.

· Homework coupon – to pray with your family this week.

1. watchtower – build out of sugar cubes or cardboard blocks

2. WS with watchtower and verse Hab. 2:1. Also discuss looking for God and His ways, not mans as you stand guard. – Connect to Proverbs 18:10

3. Temple –Hab.2:20 – Sing song from song book – Mirror WS since we are God’s temple

4. Habakkuk talked directly to God. We can talk to God through prayer. Prayer FC lesson – door hanger or prayer journal

5. Based on Hab 2:2-3 – Create tablets (on a WS or out of fun foam) and write “God has a plan.” OR a verse on the tablets. Could also be a puzzle.

6. Make a bookmark about reading the Bible every day to prepare self for evil around us.

7. See Gal 6:7 lesson for WS

8. Hab. 2:4 – “Righteous will live by his faith.” – Faith song – Faith definition worksheet – See Romans 4 lessons for walk in faith of Abe WS

9.Discuss asking God questions. Make a list of the questions Habakkuk asked God. Then make a list of questions the kids would ask God. Could write them on butcher paper cut into a questions mark shape. Talk about how we talk to God today and we can ask Him all of our questions. Discuss how Habakkuk got his answers. Contrast with how we get our answers. Encourage prayer life and family Bible study time. Homework – coupon for family Bible reading and prayer time.

;10. For the topic of “God is in contol.” – Make a spin-a-story paper plate craft titled “Times when God is in control.” Kids draw 4 times – sunshine for morning, moon for night, with friends, at dinner, at school, etc.

Zephaniah

2009-11-02T16:12:00.000-06:00

Blanks say "God is the only judge."

Here is the lesson:

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· Review “What is a Prophet?” poster

· Sing Prophet song

· Find prophet section in Bible

· Discuss who Zephaniah was. He preached to Judah

· Zephaniah wanted people to stop doing wrong and start doing the right things. He wanted them to return to God.

· Discuss a court room. Bring a picture of the courtroom

· Discuss a defendant, prosecutor, and judge and what each one does.

· Who decides who is right and wrong in the courtroom?

· What does it mean to judge something?

· Who decides right and wrong? God, parents

· How do our parents and other grown-ups determine right or wrong? They follow God’s rules

· Who is the ultimate judge who gets to decide right and wrong? God

· Does he surprise us with the rules? No, he tells us everything we need to know.

· God loves us and wants us to do right and good.

· He judges us based on the Bible.

· How do we know what rules God wants us to know and do? We read the Bible and do what it says.

· Is God ever wrong in what he says is right? No!!

· What will God judge in us? Our lives, hearts, and actions.

· What happens on judgment day? Those who make decisions that make God happy and do what’s right will go to heaven. Those that make bad decisions will not.

· How can we be sure we are right when God judges us? Follow the Bible, live God and Jesus, live holy lives

· What’s our reward for making good decisions? Heaven!!

Amos

2009-10-31T16:30:00.001-05:00

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Here is the lesson:

· Tell the Amos story from Lynch book

· Discuss the letter

· Discuss what it means to seek something – look hard for something.

· Today we’re going to learn to seek God.

· Read Amos 5:14

· Amos talked about seeking God and returning to him

· What does it mean to seek good? Look for good things to do, look for the good things in people

· What does it mean to seek evil? Look to do things that are not good for us, that are against God

· How do we seek evil? Do things we know we’re not supposed to do.

· How do we seek good? Do what things we know God wants us to do.

· What kinds of things do evil people do? sins

· What kinds of things do good people do? obey

· What does Amos promise if we seek good? The Lord

· Do we seek God with our eyes?

· How do you think we seek God?

· Why do we want to seek God?

· Why do we want God with us?

· What kids of things do we do if the Lord is with us?

· Discuss: What kinds of things do we seek right now?

· Hand the kids funny glasses. Write on the legs of the glasses or attach a tag: “God seeing (or seeking) eyes.”

· Discuss/chart: What kinds of things are we seeking with our God seeing eyes?

· Add to “God is…” chart and book

Here are the crafts:

· Worksheet: glasses: “I am seeking good” or “I am seeking the Lord” written on the lenses

· Binoculars made out of toilet paper rolls. Above words written on the rolls.

· Make cotton ball die cut sheep. Have kids draw glasses on the sheep. Write on the back of sheep “I can seek God.” Glue cotton balls on the front.

· Eat figs together.

Here are other ideas for teaching Amos to kids:

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1. Have a big sheep butcher paper to record notes about Amos, the book.

2. Make cotton ball die-cut sheep. Write verse on the back. OR Create a scene with several sheep and a verse to glue on OR “Amos was a shepherd who obeyed God.”

3. Talk about how Amos was not a professional prophet, but he obeyed God. Discuss how Ralph is a professional preacher, but we all are supposed to teach others about God. Review Gospel FC. Homework – to share Jesus with one person this week.

4. Amos 1:11 – Compassion – define – definition WS – Discuss how can you be compassionate today? – What did the people do wrong back then? Brainstorm ways to show compassion. – Homework coupon “I will show compassion this week.” - Role play compassionate scenarios

5. Amos 2:7 – Take care of the poor and needy – Brainstorm and chart ways to help the needy – Tour pantry – Organize a coat drive or school supply drive for the church – Do a family service project, maybe clean out toys and donate to Impact, etc.

6. Amos 2:10 and 3:2f – God provides – Discuss all the ways God provided for Israel through the years (manna, Red Sea parts, Jesus, etc) – Then make a list of all the ways that God provides for us today. Make a headband that says “God will provide.”

7. Eat figs since Amos was a shepherd under the fig trees (Amos 6:14)

8. Righteousness – define – definition worksheet with sequins, etc. – Discuss the things we do in worship service and why we do each part (pray, sing, Lord’s Supper, sermon, offering). Explain that in OT the people offered sacrifices and they were just doing it without thinking – that upset God. And today if we go to “big church” and don’t think about what is happening then we upset Got too. List the things we should and should not do in worship service as a T-chart. Make sure to stress that God cares about our heart, not the ritual. (Amos 5:24)

9. Obey – Talk about how Amos obeyed God – obedience definition worksheet – List how you can obey God. Make a headband with a medallion that says, “I will obey God like Amos.”

Isaiah'c Call

2009-10-31T16:24:00.005-05:00

Kids draw a self-portrait. Then glue on a black paper ball for the coal.
*This idea is from Holly* Thanks for sharing!
Here is the lesson:

· What is a prophet? Discuss definition poster

· Tell the kids that Isaiah had a vision in which God called him to be a messenger of His.

· Read 6:1-2. Then distribute paper to each kid. Read it again very slowly and have the kids draw what you read.

· Compare drawings and talk about how they are all similar and different.

· Read 6:3 - Have this verse printed on a sheet of paper. Discuss the meaning of “holy.” Why did the angels say holy? Who is holy? Why did they say it three times? Use vocabulary card

· Read 6:3 again – discuss “glory” - Use vocabulary card – connect to the miraculous signs of God – Name some things we see around us that show God’s glory (plants and their life cycle, love, sun, babies, etc.)

· Read 6:4-5 – Why is Isaiah sad? What does “Woe” mean?

· Discuss unclean lips – define as saying mean things or bad words or impure words. Make a chart of things that are pure and unpure to say. Then discuss what happens when you say pure things – what happens when you say unpure things.

· Read Isaiah 6:6-7 = What does that mean? (If possible, bring in tongs and a coal-like rock. Touch the kids lips with it as an example. Could also have the coal-like rock as a symbol for them to take home to say pure things.)

· Read 6:8 – God asked Isaish to be a messenger for him to talk to the people. Does God want us to be messengers for him today? How can we do that? Missionary blurb and connect that we are all missionaries each day for Christ.

· Isaiah had to listen for God. God talked to Isaiah when He called him to be his prophet for the nation, but God also talked to Isaiah often. Isaiah had to learn to listen for God.

· Review Questions –

o Who was Isaiah?

o Who talked to Isaiah?

o What is a prophet?

o Why did God choose Isaiah to be his messenger?

o Act out the angel touching Isaiah’s lips with the coal.

o What does God want us to tell people today?

o What would you do if you heard God’s voice?

o Give 5 reasons for Isaiah to follow God’s command

o How would you react to hearing God’s voice?

o How would someone today react to seeing a vision of heaven like Isaiah saw?

o How would God get you attention today?

o Do you agree with Isaiah being scared?

Here are the crafts:

· Handwork = WS with big lips on it – Kids write the nice things they should say to others. Could glue small rock on the paper.

· Handwork = Badge “I will say pure things.” With lips stamped on it.

· Handwork = Send a note to our missionaries

· Handwork = Headband –“I will listen for God.” And glue big paper ears to it.

Prayer Song and Craft

2009-10-31T15:58:00.002-05:00

My three year old twins did this in class on Wednesday. CUTE song!

"I Will Say my Prayers"
Tune: Row, Row, Row your Boat

I will say my prayers
Each and every day
I will always talk to God
And He hears what I say.

Now sure the source...

What is a Prophet? bulletin board

2009-10-31T15:45:00.004-05:00

This is the bulletin board we have up in our classroom right now. We are in the middle of a 2 quarter study of the major and minor prophets. There will be many more prophet posts to come!

The prophet is a man that I enlarged on the opaque machine. They are so "old-school", but using an opaque machine makes my heart happy. They remind me of my college days and making oodles of bulletin board sets.

The cards by the man say...
What is a prophet?

A messenger of God

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What Prophets Do

· Tell the people what God said

· Warn leaders

· Tell people to follow God

· Explain the bad things that were happening

· Tell good things that were going to happen

Then the map...I also made it using the opaque machine and my trusty chalks. A side-note about chalks...always have a can of cheap aerosol hairspray handy. When you are done, spray it and the chalk will not rub off. However do not spray too much in an enclosed area or your tear-ducts can get clogged and you'll get what seems like pink-eye. Unfortunately I know this from personal experience! :)

Back to the map - the yellow is Israel and the orange is Judah. During our first lesson about prophets, we added a card that labeled each Kingdom and another card that listed the prophets to that kingdom. The kids used orange and yellow crayons to color a kid-sized map that they are keeping in their Prophets Notebook.

I also wrote a song about prophets. Enjoy!

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Prophet Song

Tune: Lord’s Army

What is a pro-phet?

A mes-sen-ger of G-o-d

Talking to the pe-eople

Asking for rep-ent-ance

What is a pro-phet?

A mes-sen-ger of God.

Who are some of the prophets?

Zeph-a-niah, Daniel and Jonah

Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos and Hosea

Micah and Hab-ba-kuk

They were all messengers of God.

Daniel in the Lions Den Craft

2009-10-23T22:57:00.000-05:00

Aren't these adorable??? My three year old twins came home with them on Sunday morning and have not stopped re-enacting Daniel 6 all week! :)

To make: Draw a lion face in the middle of a paper plate. Cut out eye holes. Glue tongue depressor onto back. Let the kids glue on pre-cut yarn for the mane.

Enjoy!

Teaching Prayer

2009-10-21T22:50:00.002-05:00

This year we decided to approach the topic of teaching kids to pray a little different than we have in the past. Our year with these first graders began in September and we have been tackling a new aspect each Sunday and then re-inforcing it on Wednesday night.

On Sunday we ask the kids a question about prayer and record their responses on a piece of copy paper. Then on Wednesday night, they illustrate on the 1/2 sheets of paper the answer to Sunday's question.
Questions taught on Sundays...
Who can pray?
Who can you pray for?
Where can you pray?
When can you pray?
How do you start a prayer?
How do you end a prayer?
Why do you pray?
Who can you pray with?

Now that the kids have a grasp on those topics, we are going to start introducing different methods of prayer. In November, we will introduce "The Cube." Each side of a cube is labeled with a different group of people - family, friends, military, government, church and sick people. You roll "The Cube" and think of a specific person for the category you rolled.

Ten Plagues Booklet

2009-08-07T22:48:00.000-05:00

I found this booklet in the church workroom and shrunk it to be a smaller size booklet. It was a HUGE hit with the kids and parents. These photos are of the booklet that my 2 year old colored.Each page the kids did something to add to the picture. On page one, they wrote "NO!" in the speech bubble. On page 2, they colored the water red. It would have been neat to glue on sand...maybe next time! :)
Page 3 - Color the frogs.
Page 4 - Use glue stick then glue salt to the the gnats everywhere.
Page 5 - The flies wings are pre-drawn. Kids do a fingerprint in between the wings.
Page 6 - Glue cow upside down under odor marks. I used a mini notepad from the teacher store. You could also use a die-cut of a cow.
Page 7 - Boils - they were supposed to draw red dots. Jacob like green lines better! :)
Page 8 - Hail - Tear little pieces of blue paper and glue on to the be hail.
Page 9 - draw locusts. This was hard. I would draw on locusts or have a bug stamp for the kids to do.
Page 10 - color black
Page 11 - draw tear drops

Ten Commandment Craft

2009-08-06T22:19:00.000-05:00

Start saving your Altoid containers today! This craft was super easy and lots of fun for the kids to open, read and close a million times! :)

The Ten Commandments are on die-cut tags. The words are printed off the computer onto gray/silver labels. The top of the Altoid tin is a regular label that the teacher pre-wrote before class.

This would be really good for a memory work tool too.

The Wise Man Built his house...

2009-08-05T22:16:00.000-05:00

How easy and cute is this?!?!??!

Joseph's sack of Grain

2009-08-04T22:15:00.000-05:00

To make: Buy brown lunch sacks...one per student. Fill with popped popcorn. Before class, spray paint cups silver. (We used an 8 oz. plastic cup in this class...I may try to find small flutes or small Dixie cups because this cup seemed a little big for the bag) Kids tie bag closed with black yarn. Then they can search through the bag for the silver cup. The black thing on the bag is a die-cut of a wheat stalk that was die-cut on adhesive-backed felt. Money is from party store.

Samson's Hair

2009-08-03T22:13:00.001-05:00

This was SO fun to make and so silly to wear!!!

To make Samson's hair, you need one sentence strip and 2 9x12 sheets of black construction paper per child. Staple sentence strip to fit your head. Then cut slits up the black paper leaving about 1 inch solid at the top. The more slits you cut the more hair Samson will have. After you are done cutting the slits to make hair, staple the black to the sentence strip. Staple in the 1 ince border at the top of the black and make sure that the bended part of the staple is on the outside so that it will not get caught in the kids real hair. Leave about 1/3 of the sentence open at the front for face to show thru.

WARNING - Do not let kids cut Samson's hair!!!

Personal Sized Daniel and the Lion's Den

2009-08-02T22:14:00.000-05:00

To make this personal-sized Daniel and the Lion's Den, start saving your cocoa cans today!

Use fun foam and die-cut angel, man, clothes and hair. Use adhesive backed brown fun foam to cut out "stone" to go on top of the lid to "seal the den."
On the inside of the cocoa can, have 2 adhesive-backed yellow fun foam lions die-cut. Kids stick one lion on each side of the cocoa can.
Kids tell story with the fun foam figures. Copy a song or brief story to keep in the can.
Seriously, how cute is this!!! :)

PIllars of Fire/Cloud

2009-08-02T22:12:00.001-05:00

These stick puppets are TOO cute and easy! Cut out 2 clouds from card stock per child. One one cloud, glue cotton balls to God as a pillar of clouds.
On the other cloud, glue torn red, orange and yellow tissue paper or crepe paper to be God as a Pillar of Fire.

Then tape a tongue depressor to the back of the Fire and glue the Cloud onto the back of the fire.

Pillar of Fire/Cloud craft

2009-07-30T21:29:00.000-05:00

2009-07-24T22:39:00.000-05:00

Day one...God made light!
This sun can be used for various stories... Joshua and the day the sun stood still or Day One or many more!

To make, cut triangles off edge of paper plate before class. Kids tear yellow crepe paper into small pieces then glue on the paper plate. Glue tongue depressor on the back.

Gideon's Torch

2009-07-23T22:37:00.001-05:00

To make, buy a New Year's horn blower then stuff red celophane in it! Easy as pie! :)

Our First Workshop

2009-04-28T22:13:00.002-05:00

We did it! We taught our first teacher's workshop at our home congregation at the end of March. There were about 15 ladies eager to learn and we had a wonderful time presenting "Powerful Presentations and Practical Products." (Those who know us well, know we LOVE alliteration!) Here is the foyer before we began.
And here are the table tops with some samples!

Overall we were very pleased and thought it went well. The best compliment was seeing 4 of the ladies use the ideas the next morning in their Sunday School classes. We are thankful for the opportunity to share a few of our ideas and look forward to more times like this! :)

Romans general

2009-03-12T14:14:00.001-05:00

We went over this poster at the beginning of each lesson. Would be good to do with any letter.

Romans 4

2009-03-12T14:05:00.003-05:00

Romans 4 - Faith "walk in the steps of faith of Abraham"

Review Abraham/Isaac sacrifice story
Make a chart "Faith is..." (see in photo below)

Choose from these "walk/feet" activities:
1. Each child traces their own foot. On it write "I will walk in the steps of faith like Abraham." Could also use a stamp pad and stamp foot or paint foot (for the really brave teachers!)
2. Have footprints on the floor. Write one word of key phrase per foot. Kids walk on the line of footrintsa dn say verse each time.
3. Use foot hapes and tape in hall leading to classroom.
4. Samll Die cuts of feet - "Walk" written on one, "in" written on one, "faith" written on another foot. Kids swequence wrods to say "walk in faith." Glue on blank paper and decorate with self-portrait.
5. Buy dollar store frames. Kids draw a photo of thier family. At the top child writes "We will walk in the steps of faith of Abraham." Put in frame. (We did this and the parents LOVED it!!! Forgot to take a photo though - sorry! )
6. Each child traces their own foot - cut out. Make a class wreath of the feet. Walk "Walk in steps of faith" at the top on a bow shapes piece of paper.

Reading Coupon

2009-02-09T08:00:00.001-06:00

Reading Coupon for ___(you write the name of the book or booklet for child to read)

My family and I read this booklet 3 times together this week.
My favorite part of the story was...

My family and I wonder about...

This booklet left out the part when...

X____________________________
Parent

X ________________________
Child

We will hand these out with booklets often, so the child has had some review (or preview) of the lesson taught. The child will get extra stickers for bringing back the homework.

Romans 11, That He May Have Mercy on All

2009-02-06T10:01:00.002-06:00

Lesson: That He May Have Mercy on All
Scripture: Romans 11

Lesson #1
Plan of Salvation
Since creation, God has had this plan in mind to get all people to heaven
Sequence the steps of salvation - hear, believe, repent, confess, be baptized

Lesson #2
Based on verses 30-32
Friend does something mean to you and you don’t do anything back.
God has ultimate mercy.
Think of circumstances when we need mercy.

Worksheet “mercy” - glue glitter or pompoms or Cheerios on it
Mercy written in large letters with definition underneath in smaller letters
Mercy definition – Not getting punishment you deserve
Ex. not getting grounded when you should be punished.

Lesson #3
Based on verses 33-36
God’s greatness – some things are unexplainable
God does not owe us anything.
Verse 36 - God gives us all things

Poster “What does God give us?”
Kids illustrate answers and glue on poster board
Be sure and get both material answers as well as spiritual answers

Idea #4 - This adorable headband was created in the 4 year old class for this lesson!

Romans 10, Bring the Good News

2009-02-05T08:00:00.000-06:00

Lesson: Bring the Good News
Scripture: Romans 10:5-21

Wise Word: Salvation, faith

Bible Lesson #1:
Based on verse 10
Steps of salvation - hear, believe, repent, confess, be baptized

Bible Lesson #2:
Sharing the word
Discuss how to be missionaries at home
Write letters of encouragement to missionaries supported by our church.
How do we share the Bible with others?
Posters: When do we share the Bible?
With whom do we share the Bible?
Any other question. . . .

Romans 6, Alive with Christ

2009-02-04T09:54:00.002-06:00

Lesson Presentation Idea: Baptism Word Web

Mix It, Fix It - Baptism

Kids are given the letter cards to spell "baptism." Together you "mix" the cards. Then "fix" the cards to spell baptism. Repeat 3 times. Then children glue the letter cards on teh Worksheet that has the definition of baptism and verse at the bottom.

Lesson: Alive with Christ
Scripture: Romans 6

Wise Word: Salvation, Baptism
Picture: Picture of someone being baptized(?)

Welcome: Cut up words – Hear, believe, repent, confess, baptism (see attached materials)

Bible Lesson #1:
1. What is baptism?
2. Why do it?
3. What does it mean?
Discuss the steps of salvation
Baptism=
• Died to sins
• United with Christ
• Sins washed away
• Go to heaven
Highlight v23 – For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Application:
Sequence cards in pocket chart together (in attached materials)
Sequence own cards on kid sized worksheet.
Tour of baptistry
Glue steps on kid sized worksheet and decorate

Steps of Salvation - hear, believe, repent, confess, be baptized

Bible Lesson #2
Based on verse 13
Make a T-chart:
Instruments of wickedness/instruments of righteousness
Worksheet: I will be an instrument of righteousness when I. . .

Romans 8 - God Loves Us

2009-02-03T09:36:00.002-06:00

Lesson: God Loves Us
Scripture: Romans 8

Wise Word: Holy Spirit

Bible Lesson #1:
What is sin?
What does sin do to us?
Define repent – to turn from
How does God feel when we sin?
Can anything separate us from the love of God?
Read v35-39 – put into own words

Bible Lesson #2:
Read 3 in 1, a picture of God
Discusses God as part of an apple.

Action:
Worksheet – Nothing can separate ______ from the love of God. Allow the kids to make tear paper hearts or decorate in glitter in the corners of the worksheet.

Worksheet with Romans 8:35 – child writes name on blank then draws self-portrait at bottom.

Worksheet about Holy Spirit – draw paper into fourths and have kids illustrate one thing in each fourth.

Romans 2, The Bad News

2009-02-02T07:15:00.004-06:00

Lesson: The Bad News
Scripture: Romans 1:18-2:29

Wise Word: Sin

Welcome: Song – Creation song

Bible Lesson #1:
Based on 1:20
Focus on creation.
Review Genesis 1 and all that God created.
Kids need to hear again and again that God is the Creator.
Sing creation song
Make a 7 days of creation booklet.
Bring in pictures of nature to share
Go on a nature walk

Bible Lesson #2
Based on 1:29-32
Things that make God sad/happy.
Read Romans 1:29-32 out loud.
Do Sad Sort – cards that have attributes on them that make God sad – from scripture, as well as attributes that make God happy, also from scripture. About 8 of each. The kids drew one attribute card, read it and placed it on the correct side of the sort.

The finished sort! Things That Make God Sad / Things That Make God Happy

Do Sad Web – word web. Things that make God sad. . .

Work sheet – It makes God happy when I. . . Have child draw a picture of themselves doing something good and write the action on the sheet.

Temple Vocabulary Card

2009-01-30T09:32:00.000-06:00

Temple

Definition:
The temple was a place to go to worship God and offer sacrifices. It is where God lived among the Jews.

What God said about it:
· The temple was in Jerusalem.
· God gave instructions about how to build the temple to David and Solomon.
· The Ark of the Covenant was inside the temple.
· Deut 12:13-14 says the only place to worship God was at the temple in Jerusalem.

I also had drawings of the temple here, but I didn't want to violate any copyright laws. I'll attach a photo of the card later, if I remember. This is the text, though.

Passover Vocabulary Card

2009-01-29T08:00:00.000-06:00

Passover

Definition:
Yearly festival that reminded the Israelites of how God used Moses to bring them out of Egypt.

What God said about it:
· Exodus 12 gives the Israelites rules about how and when to eat the Passover.
· God wanted the Israelites to remember every year how He had brought them from Egypt and saved them from slavery.
· Jesus ate the Passover with the disciples.

I know these are basic, but this isn't a lesson, merely a reminder of things the kids should already have been taught. Again, on mine, there is a drawing of the food and a man painting door posts with blood.

Tithe Vocabulary Card

2009-01-28T10:36:00.000-06:00

Tithe

Definition:
Offer one-tenth of income to God by giving it to the priests or the temple.

What God said about it:
· Leviticus 27:30 “A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.”
· The Israelites had to give a tithe for their crops and money every year.
· The money went to maintain the temple, support the Levites, and do God’s work.

Romans 12

2009-01-25T22:13:00.001-06:00

Create this T-chart with the kids during lesson.

Romans 9 - Prayer for Israelites to be Saved

2009-01-23T20:55:00.000-06:00

Lesson: Prayer for Israelites to be saved
Scripture: Romans 9:1-10:4

Lesson #1
Jesus in the Old Testament – Teach kids that Jesus was introduced in the Old Testament. That’s how Jews knew to look for him and believe in him when Jesus came to earth.

Jesus born at Bethlehem
Micah 5:2
Matthew 2:1

Gifts brought to Jesus at his birth
Psalm 72:10
Isaiah 60:6
Matthew 2:1, 11

Holy Spirit was with Jesus
Isaiah 11:2
Matthew 3:16-17

John the Baptist prepared the way
Isaiah 40:3
Matthew 3:1-2

Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey
Zechariah 9:9
Luke 19:35-36

Healing of the sick
Isaiah 35:5
Matthew 8:14, 9:36

Born of a virgin
Isaiah 7:14
Luke 1:34

Resurrection of Jesus
Psalm 16:10
Luke 24:2

When I have taught this lesson, I had prepared the list of these prophesies and written them down on individual sheets of paper. Then, I read the OT scripture, and had the kids tell me which part of Jesus’s life the OT scripture discussed. Then I put each on the top of a page and let the kids illustrate each for a class book.

Lesson #2
Discuss prayer and law – all point to Jesus.
The Jews didn’t see Jesus when he came.

Worksheet “Faith” - glue glitter or pompoms or Cheerios on it
Faith written in large letters with definition underneath in smaller letters
Faith definition – Trusting and believing God.

Faith word cards –
Cut apart the word faith, written in large-ish letters.
Give each child a set of letters.
Practice spelling Faith several times
Glue letters in order on WS with the faith definition written on the bottom.

Romans 7, The Law of Sin

2009-01-22T08:35:00.001-06:00

Lesson: The Law of Sin
Scripture: Romans 7

Lesson #1
Based on verse 21,18b
Wanting to do good/being bad
Discuss time you were tempted
Define temptation
Discuss making choices and consequences of actions
Give examples of scenarios – let the kids decide what’s right and wrong and what the consequences might be.

Make necklace of verse 21

Idea #2

This idea came from Holly. Thanks for sharing!

Romans 5, Grace Reigns

2009-01-21T08:25:00.000-06:00

Lesson: Grace Reigns
Scripture: Romans 5

Lesson #1
Based on verse 8
WS cross with Romans 5:8 at bottom.
Add tear paper or
paint it or
draw lines like a puzzle with verse written on cross to glue on.

Lesson #2
Based on verses 12-21
Make a T-chart: Adam brought. . . /Christ brought. . .
Sin, life, death, grace, condemnation, justification, gift
of righteousness, death for all, life for all, etc.
It might be easier to have these answers prepared on separate sheets so the kids can point to what Adam brought and what Christ brought.
Have a kid sized worksheet of the same thing – 8.5 x 11 with t-chart on it. Strips have same words as the teacher chart. Kids glue word strips on t-chart under appropriate heading and take home.

Lesson #3
Based on verse 10
Enemies of God
God sent his son to save us, even when we were his enemies.
Name enemies of yours
Jesus helps us to be friends with God.

Jesus in the Old Testament

2009-01-20T10:00:00.000-06:00

Jesus in the Old Testament – Teach kids that Jesus was introduced in the Old Testament. That’s how Jews knew to look for him and believe in him when Jesus came to earth.

Jesus born at Bethlehem
Micah 5:2
Matthew 2:1

Gifts brought to Jesus at his birth
Psalm 72:10
Isaiah 60:6
Matthew 2:1, 11

Holy Spirit was with Jesus
Isaiah 11:2
Matthew 3:16-17

John the Baptist prepared the way
Isaiah 40:3
Matthew 3:1-2

Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey
Zechariah 9:9
Luke 19:35-36

Healing of the sick
Isaiah 35:5
Matthew 8:14, 9:36

Born of a virgin
Isaiah 7:14
Luke 1:34

Resurrection of Jesus
Psalm 16:10
Luke 24:2

When I have taught this lesson, I had prepared the list of these prophesies and written them down on individual sheets of paper. Then, I read the OT scripture, and had the kids tell me which part of Jesus’s life the OT scripture discussed. Then I put each on the top of a page and let the kids illustrate each for a class book.

Prayer lesson

2009-01-19T08:08:00.000-06:00

This is a generic lesson, teaching kids how to pray and why we pray. It can be used in any number of situations, so I am posting it seperately.

Prayer
Make prayer posters – I can pray when? I can pray where? I can pray about? Teacher makes the poster, and gives the kids ½ sheet of paper to let the kids illustrate the answers to these questions.

Make door hangers – “Quiet please. I’m praying.” (Or something along those lines.) Allow the kids to write the sentences and color or add stickers to door hangers. Discuss how we pray to God and why.

Romans 3, The Good News

2009-01-16T08:22:00.000-06:00

Lesson: The Good News
Scripture: Romans 3

Lesson #1
Based on verse 11
Discuss following the rules
Play Simon Says
Draw self-portrait
Worksheet “I will follow God’s rules.” Have the kids illustrate how they follow God’s rules.

Lesson #2
Based on verse 18
Discuss fear in the context of honor and respect
Compare and contrast boasting and bragging with being humble

Lesson #3
Our God is one God
Make Kcrew style book- Who is God? What does He do? What does God want me to do? How do I know who God is?

Romans 1:1-17, The Gospel of Christ

2009-01-15T20:11:00.000-06:00

Lesson: The Gospel of Christ
Scripture: Romans 1:1-17

Lesson #1
Jesus in the Old Testament – Teach kids that Jesus was introduced in the Old Testament. That’s how Jews knew to look for him and believe in him when Jesus came to earth.

Jesus born at Bethlehem
Micah 5:2
Matthew 2:1

Gifts brought to Jesus at his birth
Psalm 72:10
Isaiah 60:6
Matthew 2:1, 11

Holy Spirit was with Jesus
Isaiah 11:2
Matthew 3:16-17

John the Baptist prepared the way
Isaiah 40:3
Matthew 3:1-2

Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey
Zechariah 9:9
Luke 19:35-36

Healing of the sick
Isaiah 35:5
Matthew 8:14, 9:36

Born of a virgin
Isaiah 7:14
Luke 1:34

Resurrection of Jesus
Psalm 16:10
Luke 24:2

When I have taught this lesson, I had prepared the list of these prophesies and written them down on individual sheets of paper. Then, I read the OT scripture, and had the kids tell me which part of Jesus’s life the OT scripture discussed. Then I put each on the top of a page and let the kids illustrate each for a class book.

Lesson #2
Prayer
Make prayer posters – I can pray when? I can pray where? I can pray about? Teacher makes the poster, and gives the kids ½ sheet of paper to let the kids illustrate the answers to these questions.

Make door hangers – “Quiet please. I’m praying.” (Or something along those lines.) Allow the kids to write the sentences and color or add stickers to door hangers. Discuss how we pray to God and why.

Lesson #3
Based on verses 16-17
Discuss God’s power and what he can do.
Discuss the power of the Gospel and what it can do.
We just studied King Hezekiah’s healing in 2 Kings. Review that lesson with the kids in light of this scripture.

Saul's jealousy of David matching worksheet

2009-01-14T18:29:00.001-06:00

Here's a matching worksheet I copied/created for Saul's jealousy of David lesson. The questions can be asked verbally for pre-readers. They can also be made into a game of any sort. Blogger doesn't do matching, but you get the idea.

Questions
An ____ came upon Saul (18:10)
Saul asked Michal this (19:17)
Where David escaped to (19:18)
Saul’s oldest daughter (18:17)
David’s job in Saul’s house (18:10)
The commander of Saul’s army (17:55)
What Jonathan gave David (18:4)
The women sang of Saul killing ____________(18:7)
The women sang of David killing _____________(18:7)
Prophet who anointed David (19:18)
Saul’s daughter who loved David (18:20)
Weapon Saul used trying to kill David (18:10)
What Michal hid in David’s bed (19:13)
David escaped through this (19:12)
What Saul promised Jonathan (19:6)
Jonathan was this (18:1, 19:1)
The price Saul named for his daughter Michal 18:25)
The price David offered for Michal (18:27)
Saul’s son (19:1)
Young man who killed the giant Philistine (17:50)

Answers
100 Philistines
200 Philistines
Abner
David
“David will not be put to death.”
David’s best friend
Evil spirit
Idol with goats hair
Jonathan
Merab
Michal
Playing the harp
Ramah
Robe, tunic, sword, and bow
Samuel
Spear
Tens of thousands
Thousands
“Why did you deceive me?”
Window

1 Samuel 17-19, Saul's jealousy

2009-01-13T18:16:00.001-06:00

Lesson: Saul’s Jealousy
Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:55-19:23

Wise Word: jealousy

Review:
David and Jonathan became best friends.
Jonathan gave David his robe, bow, belt, tunic, and sword as a symbol of their friendship.
David lived with Saul and Jonathan.
David did a very good job leading the army, so Saul gave him a high rank.
All the people liked David.
The people liked David more than Saul. This made Saul jealous.
What does jealous mean?
David played his harp for Saul every day.
One day while David was playing his harp, Saul threw his spear at David!
Why?
The Lord was with David instead of Saul.
Saul sent David away to lead the army.
Saul hoped that David would get killed in battle, but the Lord was with David and David won all his battles.
Because of David’s victories, all the people loved David even more!
Saul tried to get David to marry his daughter, Merab.
But David was afraid to marry her.
Then Saul tried to get David to marry his other daughter, Michal, because he saw that Michal loved David.
David said he was not good enough to marry the king’s daughter.
So Saul told David to go kill 100 Philistines. Saul thought the Philistines would kill David.
So David took his troops and they killed 200 Philistines!
Saul gave David his daughter Michal to marry.

Bible Lesson: “I love the Bible. . .”
David kept winning more and more battles.
Saul got jealous once again and told Jonathan and his other army leader to kill David.
What do you think Jonathan did?
Jonathan went and told David that Saul, his dad, was looking for David to kill him.
Jonathan also told David that he would talk to his dad and try to get him to like David.
Jonathan told Saul – Daivd has done nothing wrong to you. Please do not hurt David.
Saul listented to Jonathan and said he would not kill David.
Then Jonathan told David he was safe.
David went and led more battles and won.
But an evil spirit came over Saul and while David was playing his harp one morning, Saul threw his spear at David again!
David ran home to Michal, his loving wife.
Michal told David he must run away tonight because tomorrow Saul will surely kill you.
So Michal let David down from a window and he escaped to Ramah, where Samuel lived.
Mean while, Michal put an idol in David’s bed, put some of David’s clothes on it, and put goat hair on its head.
Saul sent men to Michal and David’s house the next morning to capture David.
Michal told the men that David was sick.
Then Saul told the men to bring David’s sick body to him.
The men discovered it was an idol and got mad at Michal.
Saul figured out David was with Samuel, so he sent some mean men to kill David.
When the men got to Ramah, God made them nice, and they prophesied.
Then Saul sent more mean men to kill David in Ramah, but God made them nice too, and they prophesied.
Finally, Saul himself went to Ramah to kill David, but God softened Saul’s heart and Saul worshipped God instead of hurting David.

Action:
Do play – Saul, David, Michal, Saul’s men
Brainstorm list of events in story – one per page.
Kids illustrate
Sequence on wall

1 Samuel 21 - David Flees from Saul

2009-01-12T17:51:00.000-06:00

Lesson: David Flees from Saul
Scripture: 1 Samuel 21
Wise Word: Friendship
Picture: Arrows

Welcome: Centers, songs

Bible Lesson: “I love the Bible. . .”
Read Arrow book: Secret of the Arrows
Discuss
What is a friend?
How can you be a good friend?
How did Jonathan show David they were friends?

Application:
LEA – “A friend. . . .”
Examples:
Sticks by you
Lasts forever
Isn’t selfish
Protects
Loves greatly
Provides help

Action:
Play Simon Says
Sing “God Gives Me Many Friends

1 Samuel 25 - Nabal the fool

2009-01-09T17:44:00.001-06:00

Lesson: Nabal, the fool
Scripture: 1 Samuel 25

Welcome: singing

Review: On floor by pocket chart, retell David and Saul in the cave using pictures. Sequence together. Discuss “give good for evil.”

Bible Lesson: “I love the Bible. . .”
Samuel died, and all of Israel mourned.
David and his army moved to the Desert of Maon.
There was a mean and rude man named Nabal that lived there.
Nabal had a very smart and beautiful wife named Abigail.
David and his men had helped Nabal’s men earlier and now David sent his messenger to ask Nabal for some food.
Nabal was being very hateful and refused to give David and his men any food.
David said he would kill all the people in Nabal’s house because of how Nabal behaved.
The servants had heard how Nabal spoke to David.
The servants went to Abigail, Nabal’s wife, and told her how badly Nabal treated David’s men.
The servants reminded Abigail that David’s men were very kind to them in the Desert.
Abigail got lots of food for David and his men.
She loaded all the food on many donkeys and sent the donkeys to David.
She walked behind the donkeys.
Abigail did not tell Nabal what she was doing.
When Abigail saw David, she ran to him and bowed down on the ground in front of him.
She apologized for Nabal’s behavior.
She asked David to blame her, and forgive her, and to have mercy on her house.
David said, “Praise be to God for sending you here today. May you be blessed for your good judgment and kind heart.”
When Abigail got home, Nabal was having a huge party and was drunk.
The next morning, Abigail told Nabal about her visit with David.
Nabal was so upset, he fell sick, and the Lord struck Nabal.
Nabal died in 10 days.
When David heard of Nabal’s death, he praised God for keeping David from killing anyone and punishing Nabal for being mean.
Then David asked Abigail to be his wife. She accepted and they were married.

Application:
Discuss – What to do when people are mean to us.

Action:
Discuss – How to be kind.

2 Kings 5 - Naaman

2009-01-07T14:25:00.001-06:00

Lesson for Naaman

1. Read story book "Naaman and the Slave Girl" (This is a book that my mom made several years ago. She blew up a comic strip to 8x8 and mounted it into book format.)
2. Sing song about Naaman

Naaman Was Sick and Then Healed
Tune: Skip to My Lou

Naaman was the captain of the army.
He had a slave girl who loved God.
The girl was sad when Naaman got sick.
So she told him ‘bout Elisha.

Naaman was sick. What did he do?
Naaman was sick. What did he do?
Naaman was sick. What did he do?
He went to see Elisha.

Elisha told Naaman, “Wash in the Jordan.”
Elisha told Naaman, “Wash in the Jordan.”
Elisha told Naaman, “Wash in the Jordan.”
“Wash seven times in the Jordan.”

Dip, dip, dip, Naaman you.
Dip, dip, dip, Naaman you.
Dip, dip, dip, Naaman you.
Dip seven times in the Jordan.

Naaman washed in the Jordan and was healed.
Naaman washed in the Jordan and was healed.
Naaman washed in the Jordan and was healed.
He went to see Elisha!

“Now I know there is no other God.”
“Now I know there is no other God.”
“Now I know there is no other God.”
“None but the God of heaven.

Dip, dip, dip, Naaman you.
Dip, dip, dip, Naaman you.
Dip, dip, dip, Naaman you.
Dip seven times in the Jordan.

3. Discuss story
* slave's bravery to talk to master
* How can you tell other's about God, like the slave girl did?
* Specifics of instructions - did it work in any river? did it work for any number of dips in the water?
* Connect to how we follow God's instructions today - exactly how he tells us, not the way we want to
* Find Jordan River on map
* Connect that God does not always make a "production" or "show" of how he moves in people's lives. Naaman was expecting a show, but was given simple instructions.

4. Craft application
Have kids color the outside of a small styrofoam cup with blue crayons to create water.
Teacher writes "Naaman obeyed God and was healed." around the rim of cup with a Shaprie.
Kids color stick figure Naaman - one side happy face with no spots and the other side sad face with lots of red spots.
Teacher pokes hole in bottom of cup and the kids make Naaman go up and down out of the water 7 times.
Can also use this puppets as you sing the song as a review.
The cups were a hit! Look at the smile on this precious child! :)

Kings review bulletin board

2009-01-05T14:08:00.000-06:00

Good for use for any of the kings you may study in class. You can use these to review kings, or add a list of new things as you learn them with your kids

Altar Vocabulary Card

2009-01-02T14:06:00.000-06:00

Altar

Definition:
Platform on which sacrifices are offered

What God said about it:
· God gave instructions about how to build an altar.
· Deut 27:5 – “Build an altar to the Lord, an altar of stones. Do not use any iron tool upon them.”
· Many people built altars to the Lord, including Noah, Moses, Joshua, David, and many others.

Sacrifice Vocabulary Card

2009-01-01T13:59:00.000-06:00

This is a vocabulary card. It's not the same as a Wise Word, although sacrifice certainly has been a wise word in the past. This JUST DEFINES the word, it doesn't give application to the word.

The text is as follows:
Sacrifice

Definition:
Offer something to God, often by burning

What God said about it:
· God had a lot to say about sacrifices.
· God had many rules about sacrifices, who could offer them, where they could be made, and how many times a year, what could be offered for each type of sacrifice.
· Some sacrifices were burned, some sacrifices were given to the priests to eat, and some were presented (given) to the Lord.

Paul's Life

2008-12-31T16:49:00.002-06:00

Overview of Paul's life.

God builds His church bulletin board

2008-12-30T16:46:00.002-06:00

God's Promises Bulletin Board

2008-12-29T16:44:00.000-06:00

Class Book - Teacher Writes, Kids Illustrate

2008-12-26T16:42:00.000-06:00

Here's a few photos for illustrative purposes.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T16:16:00.000-06:00

We do address the birth of Jesus, but I can't find my lesson for that. I do know that we retell the story using nativity scenes ALOT. When I find that, I'll post it.

Merry Christmas!

2 Chronicles 34

2008-12-24T16:14:00.000-06:00

Lesson: Josiah Restores the Temple
Scripture: 2 Chronicles 34

Wise Word: Temple, sacrifice, tithing, Passover
Picture: Vocabulary cards of above words

Bible Lesson #1
The Israelites lost God’s law and found God’s law.
They decided that they should do what God’s law said.
Remind kids that Josiah was 8 years old when he became king and instituted reforms.

Application:
You need to memorize God’s law so you won’t lose it!
Memory verse plug!!!

Action:
Psalm 119:11a – I have hidden your word in my heart
Kids write the verse on a heart and we hot glue a pin to the heart. They take home.
Kids write verse on a scroll – tooth picks and skinny paper?
Teachers make a magnet to send home with the verse on it.
Homework – Read the Bible at home

Bible lesson #2
The Israelites lost God’s law and found God’s law.
They decided that they should do what God’s law said.
Remind kids that Josiah was 8 years old when he became king and instituted reforms.

Application:
What have your parents taught you about the Bible?
Where have you heard the Bible?

Action:
Thank you note to someone who has taught you the Bible
Poster thank you to pulpit minister, youth minister

Applicable songs to both lessons:
Thy Word is a Lamp to my Feet
Give Me the Bible

2 Kings 20:1-21, Isaiah 38-39, 2 Chronicles 32:24-33

2008-12-23T15:17:00.000-06:00

Lesson: Hezekiah’s Illness and Mistake
Scripture: 2 Kings 20:1-21, Isaiah 38-39, 2 Chronicles 32:24-33

Bible Lesson #1: Based on 2 Kings 20:9-11
Lesson:
Teach lesson from that small part of scripture.
Do lesson (or part of it) from top of stairwell.
Bring in flashlight. Show how the flashlight is like the sun.
The sun moves the shadows down the stairs every day.
God moved the shadows back 10 steps to prove to Hezekiah that he
would be healed and not die.
Application:
God can do what He says He can.
Action:
What did God say he could do in the lesson?
1. Heal Hezekiah
2. Move the shadow on the stairs by making the sun go back
What does God say he can do today?
1. Forgive sins
2. Prepare heaven
3. Listen to prayers
4. Etc. . .

Bible Lesson #2: Based on 2 Kings 20:3
Wise Word: Pray
Lesson:
Teach lesson from verse 3
Application:
God listens when we pray
God answers prayers
Don’t become proud (2 Chron. 32:24-25)
Action:
Posters (photos included)
Where can I pray?
When can I pray?
Who can I pray for?

Bible lesson #3: Based on Isaiah 38-39
Wise Word: Prophet
Lesson:
Define prophet
Discuss what prophets did, why God talked to them.
Discuss how God used Isaiah to help Hezekiah.
This story is in 3 books of the Bible, so it’s very important
Application:
Who do we listen to today?
How do we know what God wants us to do today?

2 Kings 18-19, Isaiah 36-37, 2 Chron 29:1-32:33

2008-12-22T15:13:00.000-06:00

When we teach these lessons with unusual names, we try to only use one new name a lesson. So, in this case, we will probably call Sennacherib's commander the bad commander. Be sure that it doesn't change the understanding of the story if you choose this way of teaching the kids.

Lesson: Good King Hezekiah
Scripture: 2 Kings 18-19, Isaiah 36-37, 2 Chron 29:1-32:33

Synopsis:
Hezekiah restored temple worship
Review sacrifices, washings, altar
Hezekiah restored observance of Passover
Israelites began to tithe – give money to temple
Sennacherib’s commander gave a speech
He made fun of God
He tried to scare people out of their faith.

Bible Craft #1
Based on 2 Kings 18:3-6
“I will trust the Lord” necklace

Bible Craft #2
Perforation: I will ________ and ______ the Lord. Perforation words are trust and obey

Bible Craft #3
Obey the Lord – tear paper art

Associated songs
Trust and Obey

2 Kings 9-17, 2 Chronicles 24

2008-12-19T15:11:00.000-06:00

WOW! This lesson has ALOT of action in it. We only picked out a little bit - we were a little overwhelmed. If you have more to do, please let us know. We'd love to add it to our stuff!

Lesson: Jehu Defeats Jezebel and Baals, King Joash and others
Scripture: 2 Kings 9-17, 2 Chronicles 24

Bible lesson:
Jehu – King of Israel – anointed by Elisha with flask of oil.
Jezebel dead – thrown down, trampled by horses, eaten by dogs
Ahab’s family killed – prophesy fulfilled
Ministers of Baal killed
King Joash – hidden at birth or would have been killed. Age 7 became king (your age), and ruled for 40 years.
Joash repaired the temple.

Bible Activity #1
Based on Joash becoming king
Make crown headband

Bible Activity #2
Based on Joash repairing temple
Poster of temple, add jewels, gold paint, etc

Bible Activity #3
Based on Joash repairing temple
Have room all messed up, not able to teach much in it. Have kids help clean it up to make it acceptable to learn.

Bible Activity #4
Decorate chart (8.5 x 11) of all kings for binders.

2 Kings 6:8-8:29

2008-12-18T15:08:00.000-06:00

Lesson: Arameans Invade and Lose - Twice
Scripture: 2 Kings 6:8-8:29

Bible Activity #1:
Based on 2 Kings 6:8-23
Act out verses
Character headbands – King of Aram, Elisha, Officer of Aram,
Elisha’s servant, King of Israel
Do a lift the flap with lamination film (or overhead overlays)
Draw Aramean’s horses on paper
On film or overlays, draw horses and chariots of fire
Tape at top
Make your own concentration game
Draw – king, Elisha, horse, chariot, eyes
Match with word – eg. Written word matches with illustration

Bible Activity #2:
Based on 2 Kings 7:3-20
Act out verses
Character headbands – 4 lepers, Arameans, gate keeper, king,
Elisha, king’s officers
Brainstorm 6 events (at least one event for each child present)
Teacher records on paper
Kids illustrate
Sequence to make class book
Possible events: lepers go into Aramean camp; Arameans flee;
lepers find gold, silver, food, and animals; lepers talk to
gatekeeper; gatekeeper told king; king sends 5 horses to
check out camp; city rejoices, gatekeeper killed.

1 Kings 19 - What are you doing here, Elijah?

2008-12-17T15:02:00.000-06:00

We're hoping to get more of these up BEFORE we teach the lesson, so others can use it. I may be able to add photos later. But here's an outline of our planned lesson.

Lesson: What Are You Doing Here, Elijah?
Scripture: 1 Kings 19

Bible Lesson #1:
Presence of the Lord – Hold up colored cards with word on them
Wind – written on white
Earthquake – brown
Fire – red
Gentle whisper – blue
Create minibook (one 8.5x11 folded in half)
The Presence of the Lord – define
Page 1 – The Presence of the Lord is not in wind
Page 2 – The Presence of the Lord is not in earthquake
Page 3 – The Presence of the Lord is not in fire
Page 4 – The Presence of the Lord is a gentle whisper
The kids illustrate wind, fire, etc.

Bible Lesson #2
Elijah felt alone.
Create encouragement notes for minister, assoc minister, elders,
secretaries, etc

Bible Lesson #3
Call of Elisha
Act out 1 Kings 19:19-21
Headbands – Elijah, Elisha
Plowing with oxen, cloak over shoulders, sacrifice

Bible Lesson #4
Being afraid
What makes you afraid?
What do you do when you’re afraid?
What did Elijah do when he’s afraid?
Worksheet
When I am afraid I will _____. at top. Illustrate at bottom of
page.

1 Kings 18 - Elijah versus Prophets of Baal and Rain Comes

2008-12-16T11:34:00.001-06:00

Warning: this lesson has been taught twice, once by Kim and once by Daesha, for different groups of kids. I (Daesha) prepared WAY TOO MUCH for my lesson (#2). I think there was more than 2 hours of material there. For a 45 minute lesson. Oh well! I tell you this to let you know that you CANNOT do all things listed. Pick your favorites.

Lesson: The Rainmaker
Scripture: 1 Kings 18

Bible Lesson #1
Wise Word: Prayer
Picture: cloud

Review:
Who is Elijah?
Ravens > widow > prophet > Baal
Did King Ahab like Elijah?
Ahab was EVIL!!!!
No rain for 3 years

Bible Lesson: “I love the Bible. . .”
Part 4 flip chart

Application:
1. How long was the rain stopped?
2. After Mount Carmel contest, what did Elijah tell Ahab to do? (eat, drink – sound of rain)
3. What did Elijah do? (pray on mountain)
4. What did he tell servant to do? (look towards sea)
5. How many times did the servant look before he saw anything? (7)
6. What did he finally see? (small cloud)
7. What did Elijah warn Ahab? (hitch chariot and go down before rain)
8. Did rain come? (yes)

Action:
Prayer
Does it work?
Always the first time?
God will take care of us. He loves us.

Closing:
Color, add drops
Journal about praying on the back.

Bible Lesson #2
Wise Word: prayer
Picture: cloud

Opening: color worksheet of Elijah near his altar with sacrificed bull on it.
Also, could color prophet/king worksheet

Review: good kings, bad kings, prophets to each – attach each name to correct side of T-chart
Read first half of Arch book – the rain maker

Bible lesson: “I love the Bible. . .”
Teach lesson from Bible to children

Application:
Pick stick (tongue depressor) from jar. Sticks numbered 1-14.
1. Who was the king? Ahab
2. Who was his wife? Jezebel
3. Who did Ahab and Jezebel worship? Baal
4. Who came to Mount Carmel? Prophets of Baal and Elijah, Israelites
5. What did they build at Mount Carmel? 2 altars
6. Which altar was burned? God’s altar
7. What happened to all prophets of Baal? They were killed
8. Elijah prayed to God. What appeared in the sky? Cloud
9. What did Baal’s prophets try to do to get Baal’s attention? Danced, yelled, cut themselves
10. Who did Israelites believe was true God after fire came down? God
11. How many times did Elijah’s servant check the sky? 7
12. How big was the cloud he saw? Big as a man’s fist
13. How fast did God answer Elijah’s prayer about fire? Immediately
14. Who is the true God? God

Action:
Build small altars in the classroom. Review what Baal’s prophets were doing, and what Elijah did. Compare and contrast.

Have children draw fire on a ½ piece of paper. Finish coloring worksheet they started when they came in. Cut worksheet in half through the calf, brad halves together at bottom of paper with fire underneath all layers. (see photo). Have children tell you why you set it up that way (can see fire coming from heaven, consuming bull and altar.)

Wise Words Activities

2008-12-15T10:53:00.000-06:00

Some may be asking, "What are wise words?" These are not simply vocabulary words, although we may call them these. These words are usually related to the MAIN IDEA of the story. Often they're words like prayer, idol, sacrifice, or worship. These are usually ideas and words that kids have heard before, but may not be able to really define or understand.

One of the first things we do when we plan a lesson is to determine a wise word. That word helps us plan the rest of the lesson, it helps us pick out what we think is most important to impart to the students.

You'll find that the words we pick out are also geared to the group of children we are teaching. Some groups of children come from a very active (from a faith perspective) household, where these concepts are discussed at home. Some groups of children come from a household where Biblical matters are not discussed daily, so these concepts are newer to them. This may be why some lessons have deeper or more advanced words, and some lessons may have more basic words. We try to meet the kids where they are, and challenge them to grow!

Since we really want our kids to learn the concepts AND the material, we try to incorporate the words into the lesson and the application material. You'll see the incorporation more as we start posting actual lessons (they're coming, I promise!)

Without further ado, Wise Words Activities

Magnetic letter build
Create class dictionary
Rainbow words
Perforations
ABC order
Class book of words and illustrations
Word search

Sunday School Center Ideas

2008-12-12T10:43:00.001-06:00

This is an opportunity for you to make "centers." For those with a school background, you know what these are. For those who don't have such a background, such as myself, centers are activities that kids can participate in before class officially starts. This is a good time for you to do attendance with each child. Each center should have no more than 3 or 4 children at it at one time for learning to be most effective.

Business card holder with vocabulary word book
Wikki stix on songs
Song charts with pointers
ABC order wise words (vocabulary words)
Perforations of wise words (vocabulary words)
Sequence story cards (ex. Life of Jesus)
Order books of the Bible in pocket chart (may have to have just a few books of Bible in jar at a time – 66 gets overwhelming for some)
12 apostles song and characters
Sequence plan of salvation cards
Color cards to send to sick
Bible puzzles
Letter cards to spell vocabulary words
Bible opposites games/puzzles

We hope this blesses you!

How to Teach a Bible Class Lesson

2008-12-11T10:28:00.000-06:00

It occurred to me that we may be jumping the gun a little. Maybe we should hit the basics. Kim prepared this list for teens she was teaching to teach. She really is an excellent resource for teachers, and I have been blessed to learn from her. Here is the method she taught me, and others, to teach little ones.

How to Teach a Bible Class Lesson

1. Read the scripture of the lesson
Reread the scripture for the last lesson
Read the scripture for this lesson

2. Rewrite the story in your own words (staying faithful to the Biblical version)

3. Lesson format
Sing for five minutes
Say a prayer
Begin with a review of the last lesson
Tell the lesson for today
Have some kind of application

4. Decide what you want to use to teach the lesson
Posters/pictures
Flannel pieces
Magnetic pieces
Overhead transparencies
Puppets
Read a book
Flip charts
Make up a song about the lesson

5. Write questions for the end of the lesson
Focus on some details and the main idea

6. Decide your application
Act out the story
Make a book
Make a puppet
Retell the story to a friend (buddy in class)
Folder games
Game
Color sheet
Worksheet
Crossword puzzle/word search
Make a chart together

7. Helpful hints
Always check your supplies before the lesson
Prepare some activity to practice the memory verse
Attendance charts
Consider what the kids will do when they arrive
Songs
Prayers
Children below first grade should not be expected to read or write or use scissors
Keep it hands on and fun!

Anytime Projects for Sunday School

2008-12-10T10:20:00.001-06:00

This is a list of things that may be useful for those lessons that don't have an action intuitively associated with it. We have found this list to be a lifesaver on more than one occasion.

1. Folded fill in the blank book (kcrew style)

2. Make card to send to others – either encouragement, get well, etc

3. Necklace with verse

4. Headband with verse

5. Tear paper vocabulary word – print vocabulary word in large font on computer. Have kids tear tiny pieces of construction paper and glue over the word.

6. True/false statements from lesson – sort on T-chart or use happy/sad faces

7. Chart it!

8. Class book – words by teacher, kids illustrate

9. Class book – words by kids, teacher illustrates (we use worksheets for this)

10. Give kids cut up letters that spell the vocabulary word, help them spell word and then glue it down. Illustrate the vocabulary word.

11. Book mark with verse

12. Pocket chart sequence

13. Role play

14. Bag puppet of main character to retell story

15. Jigsaw of verse

16. Door hanger

17. Mobile

18. Picture concentration – vocabulary word on one part, illustration on matching part

19. Rainbow words of vocabulary word

20. Perforation – punch holes in black paper spelling out word using thumbtack. Attach to white paper, have kids illustrate word on bottom half of paper.

21. Wikki stix – have kids circle vocabulary word, “write” word with stix, etc.

22. M&M game – have a baggie of M&M;s – kids pull out one and answer the question based on color:
Red – main idea Orange – characters
Yellow – setting Green – application
Blue – scripture Brown – name 3 events

If you have any questions about these, feel free to comment or e-mail! We'd love to help!

Hope this blesses you!

Fun things to do with a worksheet besides color it!

2008-12-09T09:54:00.001-06:00

We've all been there. The lesson is wonderful, but there's no activity for the kids, only a worksheet. And it's uninspiring. Here are some ideas to jazz up the worksheet. . . .

1. Teacher colors the sheet prior to class. Cut the worksheet apart into simple jigsaw pieces. The children can put the pieces together as a welcome activity.

2. Make a copy of the color sheet. Draw thick black jigsaw lines on the worksheet. Xerox one for each child. The kids can color or simply cut apart to create their own puzzle. Make sure to have a baggie for each child to take home their puzzle.

3. Find color sheets that are in sequence of the story, like a flip chart. Distribute one sheet per child. Then the children get in order of the story. They have to retell that part of the story that their picture illustrates.

4. Add something to the sheet that does not belong, like a hammer or cat or pencil. See if the kids can find the wrong object.

5. Use watercolors instead of crayons.

6. White out the words. Let the kids create a sentence to explain the picture. Kindergarten and early first graders will need the teacher to record their words for them.

7. Enlarge on a copy machine. Let the kids lay on the floor around the "poster" to color in a group. Hang on the wall. Teacher writes new words on a separate piece of paper for the caption as generated by the kids.

8. Create the color sheet to be a "color-by-number" sheet. The target color should be important to the story. For example, only color the blood red Nile River during the plagues, or only color the purple cloth with Lydia, or the water in the story of Jesus walking on water.

9. Add real objects with glue. For example, sand fore desert, blue cellophane for water, corn meal for grain, glitter for stars, straw/hay for straw in the manger, cloth for clothes, etc.

Hope this blesses you!

Announcing. . .

2008-12-08T09:45:00.003-06:00

Revamped and updating! We're back! Kim and Daesha have teamed together and now we'll both be posting. Hopefully, this will be a more active blog, now that two of us are posting.

Check out our lessons as they come up. We would love to hear ideas from you, too! Shoot either of us an e-mail - Kim's is posted, and if you know mine (Daesha's) feel free to CC me on that. Or not! Kim's better at checking her e-mail than I am!

I'm writing a few posts this morning, and I will be posting them over the next few days. Hope you can use them!

John 4

2008-07-07T13:31:00.001-05:00

This week at Bible Power Hour we studied John 4 - the Woman at the Well. The kids had fun starting our session with about 20 minutes of singing. This is "The Wise Man Built His House on the Rock.
RB told the story and then had the kids act it out. This was fun!! The kids had headbands made from sentence strips with the character names written on them. Sentence strips are the perfect size for making kid-sized headbands!
For the review game we constructed a well! RB asked about 20 different questions about the story. Each time a child answered the question, they came a taped a rock to the well (big brown box). They really like this and it kept them engaged in the review questions.
Our craft today was making a necklace. Each child received a pre-cut heart that said "Jesus loves all people." The kids colored on the pink heart and then strung beads on the pre-cut yarn. Overall, the craft was a hit!
Next week - the Good Samaritan!

Summer Reading Club

2008-06-30T14:39:00.000-05:00

Three years ago our congregation started a Summer Reading Club. Each summer the reading has been different passages, but it has always been uplifting and insightful. The first summer we had 30 kids complete the entire New Testament. Last summer we had 63 kids complete the Psalms and Proverbs. This summer we had 117 kids sign-up to read the Gospels.

This summer we also added the feature to invite the community. We had 4 days where community members could come sign-up. They each received a Bible donated from Mardel and a bookmark. Each participant received a reading schedule, calendar, bookmark and log sheet. We had about a dozen people see the articles in the local newspapers or read it on the local Christian radio website or see it on our marquee in front of the building. The best outreach was when we gave each kid in the congregation 3 fliers to hand-out to their friends to read along with them. We had about a dozen "friends" sign-up this year.

Each summer we have also had a fun theme. Year one was "Dive into God's Word." Each child had a sea creature name plate that moved down the bulletin board towards a treasure chest. Last year was "Blast into God's Word." The name plates were fire crackers moving up towards a big fireworks display that we painted on the board with glitter glue. This year is "Wild About God's Word." The kids chose an animal (from mini notepads at the Teacher Store) to move across the board.

Every 15 chapters that the kids read they move to the next level and get a prize. All the prizes came from Oriental Trader and most are animal/jungle themed. If they complete all the Gospels, then they will receive an engraved medal at the Awards Ice Cream party in August. The other years we have had it after Sunday PM services, but this year we are going to have it on a Saturday night because school starts the next Monday morning.

To make your schedule, first pick the chuck of scripture to read. Then choose your date time spam. We usually start Memorial Day and end on Labor Day. Then divide the text so that each day has an equal number of verses - which is usually about 1-2 chapters a day.

We also encourage the whole family to participate. We have the adults sign-up too, but they do not get trinket prizes. :)

This program has doubled in size every summer. It has been a wonderful way to get the kids reading or listening to the Bible. They are motivated and excited about God's Word. It also has provided a way for families to study the Bible together... which may be the best result of the program!

If you want more info or start your own Summer Reading Club at your church, let us know. We are hoping to start a website for this ministry and want to include the other churches participating. So far we have one in DFW, one is Sonora and one in Pasadena, TX. Let's add your congregation to the list too!

Getting Started

2008-02-18T12:37:00.001-06:00

I started this blog to share ideas about teaching Sunday School, especially to preschool-second grade. I hope to get it going so that many people can share ideas and photos from great lesson they have taught. This is a work in progress, so bear with me!