Early Foundations Curriculum

Transcription

2 Early Foundations Equipping Churches; Empowering Parents Jesus Table of Contents Monthly Letter Verse: John 3:16 Song: Jesus Loves Me Prayer Sunday School Suggested Order of Activities Week 1 Is Jesus Real? Craft: Framed Verse Week 2 Jesus in the Temple Craft: Building the Temple Week 3 Tea with Jesus Craft: Real Reminders Page Week 4 Who is Jesus Craft: Popsicle stick cross Assessment Monthly Craft list Supplemental Pages 2

3 Early Foundations Equipping Churches; Empowering Parents Dear Parents, Knowing who Jesus is, why he came to save us, and how we can forge a relationship with him starts at a very young age. Children naturally believe with a faith that many adults cannot comprehend. What about children who question the reality of Jesus Christ? In a society full of imagery and fantasy, Christ must come alive in the eyes of our children. This month we focus on Jesus, who he was and is, and how he is, indeed, real; not a fantasy, not make believe, not pretend, but an actual gift to us all. God bless you and your child this month. Our topic for this month is: Jesus We will be learning the verse: John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. Our song is: Jesus Loves Me The books we will be reading are the following: Is Jesus Real? Jesus in the Temple Tea with Jesus Who is Jesus? We look forward to the month ahead and are excited about partnering with you to raise spiritual children with a faith in Christ. Sincerely, Children s Ministry Director 3

4 For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 4

5 Song: Jesus Loves Me Jesus love me this I know, For the Bible tells me so, Little ones to him belong, We are weak but he is strong, Yes, Jesus loves me, Yes, Jesus loves me, Yes, Jesus loves me, The Bible tells me so. Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for sending Jesus for me. Help me to understand that Jesus is real and He loves me very much. In Jesus name, Amen. 5

6 Sunday School Suggested Order of Activities minutes: Children Arrive; Playtime 5 minutes: Clean-up and gather for Circle time 15 minutes: Circle Time Gather children around and welcome Remind children of the Theme of the month Sing Song Say Verse Read Story Ask three questions Explain Craft- show example Pray 10 minutes: Craft 15 minutes: Playtime; Parent pick-up **** All times are approximate. The order and length of the circle time can be expanded. For example, if more than one song is desired, then certainly that is encouraged. Furthermore, expanded prayer times with prayer requests, longer welcoming times getting to know students is helpful, and further follow-up questions can be added naturally. These times are simply a suggestion and were designed to create a cohesive and consistent experience from week to week. 6

7 Week One 7

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9 Is Jesus Real? 9

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11 Connor was sitting with his Grandpa one night. I know, said his Grandpa, let s play a funny game. I love games, said Connor. 11

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13 Let s play like we are talking to people on the phone! said Grandpa. O.K. I m talking to Superman! said Connor. I m talking to Spiderman! said Grandpa. This was fun. 13

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15 Connor liked pretending. I m talking to Jesus! He said. That s funny, Grandpa stated. Then Connor s Dad came in. Actually, that s not funny, he said with a firm look. 15

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17 Connor was confused. There s a difference between Superman and Spiderman and Jesus, Connor s Dad explained. Superman and Spiderman are pretend, but Jesus is real. 17

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19 But I can t see Jesus, said Connor, and he doesn t answer the phone when I call him! You are right, Connor, but Jesus is real. We know he is real because he is in the Bible Connor s Dad continued. 19

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21 We also know he is real because he is in all of our history books. He is the most important man who s ever lived. 21

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23 Finally, we know he is real because he guides our lives if you believe in him. It is not always easy to believe, but it is very important. Jesus is alive and watching you now. He loves you more than anyone. Connor understood now. Jesus is not pretend; He is real. 23

24 Follow-up classroom questions How do you know Jesus is real? What is pretend? What is real? Parent/Child weekly study Why was Connor s Dad upset? What did Connor learn about Superman and Spiderman? What did Connor learn about Jesus? How do we know that Jesus is real? 24

25 Weekly Craft Activity Framed Verse Materials: Construction paper Copy of verse Box of decorations Yarn Glue the verse to the construction paper. Glue the decorations to the edges of the paper. Tape the string onto the completed sign to make a hanger. Optional: Have students draw around the edges. 25

26 For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 26

27 Toddler Version Is Jesus Real? Let s play a game, Connor s Grandpa suggested. Let s play that we are talking on the phone. This was fun! We can t talk to Jesus on the phone, Connor said. There s a difference between Jesus and Superman, said Connor s dad. Even though we can t see Jesus, he is real. He s in our Bible and in our history books. He also guides our lives and loves us very much. 27

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29 Week Two 29

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31 Jesus in the Temple Illustrated by Bev Campbell 31

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33 When Jesus was a little boy, he was a very special; he was and still is the Son of God. 33

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35 One day Jesus and his parents took a very long trip to Jerusalem to celebrate a holiday called Passover. 35

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37 Jesus went into the church there called the Temple and began talking to the priests. He asked many questions and talked about God. 37

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39 The priests were very impressed with Jesus because he knew so much about God and the Bible. While they were talking, Jesus parents left to travel home. They left without Jesus! 39

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41 When they came back to find Jesus, he was still in the temple with the priests. Jesus mother Mary was very upset. I was worried about you, she told Jesus. 41

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43 Why were you worried about me? Jesus asked. Didn t you know I would be in my Father s house? Mary smiled, she loved Jesus, but she also knew that Jesus was the Son of God and had a big job to do on earth. 43

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45 That job was to teach us about God, and to die on a cross for our sins. Then Jesus rose again, and now he is in heaven. Jesus wants to be our friend and helper. He wants to listen to our prayers and be in our lives. Jesus loves us very much! 45

46 Follow-up classroom questions Why did Jesus travel to Jerusalem with his parents? What did Jesus do there? Who did he talk to about God? Parent/Child weekly study What happened to Jesus in Jerusalem? When Jesus parents came back they were very upset, why? Have you ever been scared or upset? Jesus was sent to earth as a child, but he had a big job to do. What was his job? What do you think about Jesus? 46

47 Weekly Craft Activity Build a Temple Materials: Copies of Temple page Crayons Cut out pieces of gold tissue paper Glue Have students draw a picture of Jesus talking in the temple Have students glue the pieces of gold tissue paper on the columns of the temple 47

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49 Jesus was born as a little boy. Toddler Version Jesus in the Temple One day his parents took him on a long trip. He went to a big church and talked to some wise men about God. While he was talking, his parents left. Then his mom discovered he was missing. I was worried about you, she said to Jesus when she returned. I m o.k. I m in my Father s house, Jesus replied. 49

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51 Week Three 51

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53 Tea with Jesus 53

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55 How do I know Jesus is real? Kara asked her mom while they were having tea one afternoon in their garden. That s a good question, her mom replied. 55

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57 Can you feel the wind on your face? She asked Kara. Yes, she said closing her eyes in the breeze. Jesus is like that: you can feel Him, even when you can t see Him. 57

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59 Can you feel your heart beating? She asked Kara. Yes, she said putting her hand on her heart, I can feel it. Jesus is like that: He is inside of you, even if you can t see him: He is there. 59

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61 Can you feel the warmth of your hands on your face? She asked Kara. Yes, she said putting her tiny hands on her cheeks. I can feel them. Jesus is like that: He warms our hearts with His love. 61

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63 Can you see the beautiful sky? She asked Kara. Yes, she said looking through the trees at the blueness above. Jesus is like that: you can t touch him, but you know he is there. 63

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65 Do you know how much I love you? She asked Kara. Yes, she said looking into her mother s eyes. Jesus is like that: he loves you more than anyone, more than I can ever love you, and the love you feel from me is real just like the love Jesus has for you. Kara smiled, Jesus is like that. 65

66 Classroom Questions What were Kara and her mom talking about? Is Jesus real? What is Jesus like? Parent/Child weekly study Put your hand on your heart- can you feel it beating? Who is this like? Why? Put your hands on your face- can you feel the warmth? Who is this like? Why? Who/What is pretend? How do we know Jesus is real? 66

67 Weekly Craft Activity Real Reminders Page Materials: Copy of Real/Pretend Page Crayons Have students draw pictures of what is real and pretend For younger students cut out pictures to paste on to the page 67

68 These are Real These are Pretend 68

69 Toddler Version Tea with Jesus What is Jesus like? Kara asked her mother. Jesus is like the breeze on your face. Jesus is like the beating of your heart. Jesus is like the warmth of your hands. Jesus is like the sky up above. You may not be able to touch Jesus, but he is real and he loves you! 69

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71 Week Four 71

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73 Who is Jesus? Illustrated by Lisa Griffin 73

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75 Jesus was born a baby in Bethlehem, and grew to be a boy, but who is Jesus? 75

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77 He was baptized and became a great teacher, but who is Jesus? 77

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79 He healed the sick and fed the hungry, but who is Jesus? 79

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81 He taught everyone about God, but who is Jesus? 81

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83 He died on a cross then rose again, and went to make a place for us in heaven, but who is Jesus? 83

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85 Who is Jesus? Jesus is the Son of God, the Savior of the earth, and your friend forever! He loves you very much. 85

86 Classroom Questions What happened first in Jesus life? What happened next? Does Jesus love us? Parent/Child weekly study Why did Jesus have to die on the cross? What happened after Jesus died? How do we know Jesus is real? Jesus was a person, but also the Son of God. He is alive today and watching us always. How does that make you feel? God is your heavenly father, what do you think he is like? 86

87 Weekly Craft Activity Popsicle stick cross Materials: Popsicle sticks (two per student) Yarn Glue Have students glue Popsicle sticks together to make a cross Wrap the yarn around the middle of the cross to secure the sticks together. Write on the top stick: Father; write on the side sticks: Son, Holy Spirit. 87

88 Monthly Assessment: Jesus Your child: Age: Date: Progress: Mastered Developing New N/A Sings: Jesus Loves me Can recite: John 3:16 Can explain who Jesus is Prays a prayer to Jesus Comments: 88

89 Week 1: Framed Verse Copies of verse Construction paper Box of decorations Glue Week 2: Build a Temple Monthly Craft List: Jesus Copies of Temple page Crayons Cut out pieces of gold tissue paper (to look like bricks) Glue Week 3: Real Reminders Page Copies of Real/Pretend page Crayons/Pens Week 4: Popsicle stick cross Popsicle sticks (two per student) Yarn Glue 89

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91 Supplemental Activity Pages These supplemental pages were designed to give the teacher further options for crafts or activities in the classroom. 91

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100 Early Foundations Curriculum is published by Foundations Publishing For more information or to order please visit 100