Getting to Know Jesus

Transcription

1 Sola Publishing - PreKin Sunday School Series Getting to Know Jesus Table of Contents: Session Bible Basis Page Introduction p. 4 Sample Class Session p. 5 Lesson 1: Jesus Loves Children Mark 10:13-16 p. 6 Lesson 2: Jesus Makes Enough John 6:3-14 p. 10 Lesson 3: Jesus Helps a Boy Luke 9:37-43 p. 14 Lesson 4: Jesus Heals a Girl Luke 8:40-42, p. 18 Lesson 5: Jesus Lives Again! Matthew 28:1-10 p. 22 Appendix: Reproducible Activity Handouts p. 26 A Five-Session Reproducible Resource Written by Steven E. King and Dawn Clinton Illustrated by Steven E. King Sola Publishing PreKin Sunday School Series: Getting to Know Jesus p. 3

2 Introduction to the PreKin Sunday School Series Teacher Book Each installment in the PreKin Sunday School Series features a Teacher s Book with background information for the teacher on the session theme and Bible lesson, as well as a step-by-step class session plan. Lessons include ideas for welcome, prayers, Bible rhymes, activities and projects, as well as reproducible coloring pages and worksheets. There are no student books necessary; all print resources needed to present a class session are included and are copy-ready. (Typically, individual handout sheets tend to work better with children of this age.) Reproducible Materials Sola Publishing s PreKin Sunday School Series Sola Publishing s PreKin Sunday School Series is a resource for teaching preschool and kindergarten children basic lessons about Jesus, the Bible, and the Church. Each session focuses on a specific Bible story and ties it to the child s present- day participation in church. Teaching Preschool and Kindergarten requires a different approach than working with children of older grades. The level of the series is designed with pre-readers in mind, and features activities for the youngest Sunday School students. The five-session format of the PreKin Sunday School Series is tailored to fit as a companion to Luther's Small Cat Series, a Sunday School catechism series for elementary-aged students, also available from Sola Publishing. While the older grades are learning sections of the Catechism, the PreKin series allows younger children to the chance to experience what church is all about. Purchase of this Teacher s Book includes permission to photocopy the internal pages as handouts for congregational classroom use, provided that the copyright information appears at the bottom of the page.* It is suggested that the Bible Story Coloring Page and the Classroom Thinking Page be reproduced on a single back-to-back white sheet prior to each class session. The handout can serve as an in-class worksheet, or as a take-home sheet to help parents talk with their children about what they are learning in church. If the Thinking Page portion is not used during class time, it could serve as a simple homework exercise for children to do at home with their parents. At the back of the booklet are additional reproducible pages for specific activities. These sheets are referenced within a particular lesson. * Note: All materials remain under copyright of the author. Handouts are meant for local use by congregations, teachers, students and parents. They may not be used to create other curriculum or be included in other printed resources, whether for sale or non-sale purposes. Sola Publishing PreKin Sunday School Series: Getting to Know Jesus p. 4

3 Working with Preschool and Kindergarten Students Studying God s Word and understanding how it speaks and gives meaning to our everyday lives is a life-long task. Just as any academic subject begins with the fundamentals and leads to deeper themes, the study of Scripture and theology happens the same way. For many, the thought of teaching Sunday School is intimidating. Conveying the depth of theological doctrines or even answering the questions of children may seem overwhelming. Therefore, it is important for teachers to keep their task in perspective. Sunday School teachers are not expected to be experts in theological subtleties, or to know the answer to every religious question. The primary purpose of Sunday School instruction is simply to familiarize children with stories from the Bible, introducing them to Bible characters and what those people experienced in their life with God. Along with the practical learning, Sunday School provides an opportunity for children to feel welcome at church, and for the teacher to serve as a positive role model in faith. Keep in mind, the younger the children, the less they tend to learn from what you say, but more from how you as a teacher act and convey what you teach. Building a teaching relationship with preschool children is often more important than the amount of information conveyed. Remember that faith, at its root, is a relationship of trust with God. Above all else, that is the goal to which this instruction is aimed. Lesson Review To help students remember the lessons they have covered, teachers are encouraged to use verbal repetition. Feel free to go back to previous lessons, using the Bible Rhymes already covered, to see if the students can remember what they learned and verbally fillin the rhyming words at the end of each sentence. Sample Class Session 1: Welcome The first minutes of class may be used to greet students, pass out name-tags, and record attendance on a classroom chart. 2: Opening Prayer A suggested opening prayer is included in the Teacher s Book for each lesson. 3: Getting Started A simple introductory activity is provided to introduce students to the theme of the lesson. Some supplies may be needed. 4: Bible Story Each lesson includes a featured Bible story connected with the theme of the lesson. Teachers are welcome to read these stories from an illustrated Bible storybook. 5: Bible Story Coloring Page Each lesson includes a reproducible page for children to color, illustrating the day s Bible story. From week to week, teachers may want to alternate between crayons, pens, colored pencils, water paints, etc. 6: Bible Rhyme Each Bible story has been written as a simple rhyming poem. After reading once, repeat by leaving off the final word of each sentence; see if the children can offer the missing word. 7: Classroom Thinking Page The simple Thinking Page worksheets from this book may be photocopied on the reverse side of the coloring page. 8: Classroom Activity There is a suggested classroom activity to go along with each session. These are generally simple craft ideas, and may require set-up. 9: Closing Prayer The teacher can close with a free prayer, picking up on the theme of the lesson. Sola Publishing PreKin Sunday School Series: Getting to Know Jesus p. 5

4 Teacher s Background Lesson Theme Bible Story The Biblical basis for the first lesson is the story of when Jesus showed his love for children and blessed them, even when his disciples tried to keep them away. For your own background reference and preparation as a teacher, the Scripture text is printed below. Mark 10:13-16 (CEV) 13 Some people brought their children to Jesus so that he could bless them by placing his hands on them. But his disciples told the people to stop bothering him. 14 When Jesus saw this, he became angry and said, "Let the children come to me! Don't try to stop them. People who are like these little children belong to the kingdom of God. 15 I promise you that you cannot get into God's kingdom, unless you accept it the way a child does." 16 Then Jesus took the children in his arms and blessed them by placing his hands on them. The primary concept of this lesson is that Jesus loves and welcomes children, even though they may not seem important in a grown-up world. Jesus was familiar with crowds; he drew them quite often. His disciples traveled with him and often helped facilitate his teaching and healing. In this story, parents were bringing their children to be blessed by Jesus, amidst the crowds wanting the Lord s attention. Most children have experienced this type of situation. The frantic pushing and shoving of big people can be stressful for children, as well as parents. Making matters worse, the disciples were keeping children away from Jesus, as if he did not have time for them. In many places in life, children feel unimportant in the larger scheme of things. They live in an a world that belongs to adults. But in this story, Jesus showed his genuine love for the little ones by taking them in his arms and blessing them. This is quite different from Jesus experience moments earlier. He was teaching a crowd of adults, including Pharisees (teachers of the law), who contentiously tried to test his teaching. It must have been a refreshing change for Jesus to now be surrounded by children. On a deeper level, Jesus used the occasion to make a point about genuine faith, by speaking of how a child experiences the kingdom of God. What does such a childlike faith look like? It is a genuine and expectant trust in God. It is being blissfully unaware of self, in terms of adult power and capability. It is an awareness of needing to be taken care of by another, and looking to God for good things. As adults, there are many life lessons we could learn from our students. In teaching, look for and express appreciation for these wonderful attitudes with your students, and emphasize Jesus wonderful love for them. Sola Publishing PreKin Sunday School Series: Getting to Know Jesus p. 6

5 Class Session Outline Materials You Will Need for Class: Name tags, story/worksheet handout pages Items associated with grown-ups (necktie, briefcase, purse, car keys, high heels, etc.) in a large, closed box Dolls (at least one per child) Welcome Bring a box filled with grown up items (as above). Allow the children to discover the contents, and dress up like grown-ups. Ask them what kinds of things grown-ups get to do that children don t. Tell the children that in today s lesson we find out that Jesus loves all of his people, no matter how old they are. Opening Prayer Dear Jesus, We are kids. We are small, but we re surrounded by big people. Help us to learn how much you love us, no matter how big we are. We pray in your name. Amen Getting Started Teach sign language for the words to the song: Jesus Loves Me. Jesus: Touch right index finger to left palm, then left index finger to right palm (Jesus wounds). Loves: Cross arms over chest (like a hug.) Me: Point to self. Sing Jesus Loves Me using these signs: Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to him belong, they are weak but he is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me; Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me; the Bible tells me so. Bible Story Rhyme When telling the Bible story for the session, use the following rhyme: Jesus taught within a crowd, It was noisy; it was loud. Moms and dads, as you can see, Went to put their children on his knee. Go away! the disciples yelled. Don t bother Jesus; you can t be held. Oh no, let them, Jesus cried, Don t make the kids go back inside. This is where they ought to be; I love to have them here with me. He blessed the children short and tall To show the kids he loved them all. Classroom Activity Teach the class the following song to the tune of Ring Around the Rosie: Bring the kids to Jesus; Waving when he sees us, He said He said (shout) Let them come! Place the dolls on the floor. Instruct the children to sing the song while marching around the dolls. When they reach the last line, have them stop, shouting: Let them come! Each should pick up a doll and hug it. Have them put the doll back and repeat the song as many times as desired. Sola Publishing PreKin Sunday School Series: Getting to Know Jesus p. 7

6 Coloring Page Jesus let the children come to him. (Mark 10:13-16) 2011 Steven E. King, Permission Granted to Photocopy for Local Congregational Use Sola Publishing PreKin Sunday School Series: Getting to Know Jesus p. 8

7 Thinking Page Help the children find Jesus. Try not to cross any lines on the way! 2011 Steven E. King, Permission Granted to Photocopy for Local Congregational Use Sola Publishing PreKin Sunday School Series: Getting to Know Jesus p. 9