Week 4: God is Powerful

This week's lesson combines the story of the 10 plagues with the Israelites crossing of the Red Sea. This means that this weekend you have a neat opportunity to talk about either or both because both of these events show that God is Powerful.

The Plagues

Here they are and some fun ways to make the story come alive for the kids.

• Rivers, streams, creeks, even water in the buckets turns to blood killing all the fish and the water will stink.

Hold out a stick/rod/staff over the pretend river. "Watch" it turn to blood. Ask the kids what color would it be. Ask them what color should it be. Have the kids hold their noses b/c the smell is so awful.

• Frogs everywhere

Now have the kids jump around like frogs. Talk about where they Egyptians might have found frogs - on their tables, in their seats, in their dishes, in their ovens, etc.

• Gnats everywhere

Now strike your stick/rod/staff on the ground. Explain that when Aaron (Moses' helper) did this the dust became gnats. Help the kids understand what a gnat is and how they fly in your face, they get up by your eyes, they just pester your skin and how you have to swat them. Have the kids swat them everywhere.

• Flies everywhere

Continue with swatting the gnats but explain now there was flies everywhere. Buzzing here and there. Have the kids buzz. But explain that God did not send flies where the Israelites where; He kept them safe. Make a "safe" zone in your classroom and have the kids fly there, buzzing as they go and then stop buzzing and moving once in the safe zone.

• Animals die

Have the kids act like different animals. Pick some to be cows. Some donkeys. Some camels. Have the kids move and sound like them. Then explain that God caused all the animals to die. Have the kids fall down on the ground dead. But remember that God protected the Israelites' animals and have the kids move to the safe zone where they begin acting like animals again.

• Boils/sores on their skins

Now have the kids hold their arm or their leg like it is hurting, like it is burning. Explain that God sent boils and sores on all of the men and any animals left.

• Hail

Ask the kids if they know what hail is. Describe what it is to them: hard ice that falls from the ground. God send hail all over the land. God warned everyone that they should find shelter and bring all their animals because the hail would be so bad that anyone or any animal left outside when be hurt and die. Have the kids run around the try to "hide" and find shelter before the storm comes.

• Locusts everywhere who eat everything

Once again explain what locusts are to kids. Animals that fly and make noise and they fly in great groups - sometimes there are so many they look like one big giant black cloud. They like to eat up crops. So the locusts came and ate up all the crops - corn, wheat, fruit and all the trees. Have the kids pretend to duck as you make the noise of the locusts- humming softly at first and then louder as they come closer.

• Darkness all over

Then God made it dark outside for three whole days. None of the Egyptians could leave their house because they couldn't see any thing. It was so dark. But the Israelites had light where they lived. Divide the kids in 1/2 and send on group to one side of the room and the other to the other side. Have one group get down and huddled together. They are scared and can't leave b/c they can't see it's so dark outside. Have the other group be the Israelites and have them run around b/c they can see.

• Death of the first-born child of all Egyptian families

Have the kids sit down and explain that the last plague is a very sad plague. The Pharaoh wouldn't let the Israelites go and be free. He wouldn't obey God so God said that the first child of every family, of every animal would die.

End this discussion of the plagues by discussing how powerful God is that He control everything - animals, the water, the sun, even life. And God was powerful enough to protect the Israelites.

Word of Caution - when telling the last plague, remember the focus is that God is powerful and can do anything. At this age do not stay too long on this last plague b/c we do not want children going home scared or thinking if they disobey God he will strike them dead. The focus should be on the fact that God controls everything - even life and that He was able to protect the Israelites and even Moses and Aaron while they talked to the Pharaoh.

I would recommend this for the 4 and older crowd.

Crossing the Red Sea

Divide the kids into 2 groups. One is the Israelites and one is the Egyptians. Have the Israelites march around the room. They are heading to the freedom. They should be shouting and be happy and dancing. And then they should see the Red Sea. They can't cross and now they cry out and say, "OH NO!" They start to cry. Then they look back and the Egyptians are marching toward them. Have the 2nd group march slowly toward them. Then have Moses (the teacher) stretch out the stick/rod/staff and ask God for help. The Red Sea will part and all the Israelites should cross. And then once they have all crossed have them sit down on the floor and watch what happens to the Egyptians. Have the Egyptians begin to cross and have the kids act out what would happen if the waters fell on them. They would drown. They would fall to the bottom. They would float away.

Talk with the kids about how God is powerful and can do anything. Talk about how He is different from super-heroes. He is real and superheroes have special powers but they are limited. God is not limited. He can do anything!

Fidget Buster & Prayer Helps

Here are two good Fidget Busters to do with our kids that tie into the rainy weather we have had this week and to our theme of building.

Fidget Buster 6: Caught in the Rain

Taken from Fidget Busters 101: Quick Attention-Getters for Children's Ministry by Jolene L. Rochlkepartain.

Tell children that they're plants and must stand with their feet firmly on the floor. Without moving their feet, they must react to different kinds of weather like a plant. Then announce these different kinds of weather. Do the actions with them.

• Rain
• Sun
• Breeze
• Snow
• Wind
• Hail

Say: Let's uproot ourselves and plant our selves back into our seats (on the circle) to learn more about our lesson.

Fidget Buster 21: Fix the Room
Taken from Fidget Busters 101: Quick Attention-Getters for Children's Ministry by Jolene L. Rochlkepartain.

Say: Did you know Jesus learned to be a carpenter from his dad, Joseph? Let's pretend we're carpenters and fix up the room. Have children run to an area you call out and fix it in the way you say. Do the motions with them. For example:

• Hammer the floor
• Saw the door
• Measure the window
• Drill the wall

Then say: You're all such good carpenters! You'd make Jesus proud. Now let's make noises like drills and drill our way back to our lesson so we can learn more about him.

Prayer Help: See & Touch Prayer
Taken from Hooray! Let's Pray! by Group

Truth: Everything we see reminds us to give thanks.

Cut scraps of different colored paper into pieces no smaller than 2 inches square. Collect scraps of material of different textures. Place the paper and the material scraps in a bag. Let each child pick an item from the bag and say a prayer of thanks to God for something that is the same color, or something that feels like what he or she is holding. For instance, he or she might thank God for the blue sky, a fuzzy bunny, a shiny red apple, or a soft doll.

Week 3: Moses & the Burning Bush

This week we are learning about God calling Moses. Moses sees a bush that is on fire but is not burning. Could you imagine this? I think of all the forest fires out West. Could you imagine those fires burning fierce but nothing being burned up, nothing being destroyed? That's how amazing our God is: He can consume without destroying.

But even seeing this amazing thing Moses wasn't sure he wanted to do what God was asking. And he had real reasons to not want to. He had lived with the Pharaoh; he was royalty himself raised by the Pharaoh's daughter. He knew the laws of the land; he knew the power of the Pharaoh. He also knew that he had killed an Egyptian and aligned himself with the Israelites in doing so. He was a wanted man and God wanted him to march into the court of Pharaoh and demand that Pharaoh release the people of Israel, the people which the Pharaoh used to increase his riches and his domain. It sounded like a crazy plan to Moses; it was a crazy plan.

Christ calls us to obey Him in the face of many obstacles and many times what He asks is crazy. He tells us to love our enemies; to go the extra mile with no expectation of anything in return. His way is not our way. Our kids experience this on a daily basis. They have to make choices about whether to obey mom or dad, whether to share their toys, whether to be kind to their sibling, whether to lie when in trouble. It isn't always easy and doesn't always make sense to do the right thing. Moses, standing at the burning bush arguing with God, is a reminder that God not only loves us and has a plan for us (why else would he allow Moses to argue back) but He wants us to succeed and is willing to help us. He gave Moses help and He will help us and our kids to obey Him.

This lesson ties in directly with our memory verse: I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me. Philippians 4:13. Spend some time with your kids reciting the verse and talking about real life situations they face and how Jesus can help them obey.

In Your Class

Play a game of "Mother May I?" Each child gets a turn to ask you (or another child) if they can do an specific activity such as run, jump, close their eyes, clap, stomp, turn around, sit, etc. the only rule is they have to ask by saying, "Mother may I?" Then you or the child leading can tell them "yes" or "no". They must obey whatever the leader says.

After playing the game talk with the children about how God has given us rules to live by. Have the kids see if they can name some of those rules: be kind, don't shove, share, listen, etc. God gave us those rules so that we could have a good place to live and He knows if we obey Him it will be a better place to live. And just like in our game we all had to ask the leader if we could do something and we had to obey if the leader said "yes" or if the leader said "no", we have to obey God too.

OR

Teach the children the song Head and Shoulders, Knees & Toes. To teach them though do not tell them what you are going to do. Explain that they are have to do whatever you tell them to do and when they are done they will have learned something new. Start by having the kids say "knees and toes". Then have them say "knees and toes" while touching their knees and toes. Then have them say "head and shoulders". Again have them repeat it touching their head and shoulders. Then have them do all four, "head and shoulders, knees and toes". Then have them fall down. Then have them get back up. And fall down again. Now explain that by obeying everything you told them to do they are now ready to sing the song.

Head and shoulders, knees and toes. Knees and toes.

Head and shoulders, knees and toes. Knees and toes.

We all fall down!

Sky Bridge: Making the New Theme Work

Here are a couple pointers/changes we are going to make to help the kids understand the video better and make sure we are helping the kids understand the Bible story.

After the Intro and welcoming the kids (before starting the Skit and Bible Lesson part of the video) review with the kids following:
What is it that Newton and his friends are building? A sky bridge.
Why do they need to build the sky bridge? The people in the buildings need a way to get

from one building to the next building.
How will the build the bridge? They will build one part at a time. Each week they will need

our help to finish each part of the bridge till it is all done.
Who is the Builder that keeps calling and helping Newton and his friends? God.

We will watch the Skit part of the video first rather than the Bible Story first. The Skit part is where the puppets and characters are building the Sky Bridge.

After viewing the Skit part of the video and singing the 2nd Worship Song the Worship Leader should discuss with the kids the following:
What is the problem that Newton and/or his friends had?
Who helped them with their problem? The Builder.
Who is the Builder? God
Then remind the kids how Moses had something great that God wanted him to do. God was

going to use Moses to help the Israelites go free. So God starting working on Moses just like

Newton and his friends are working on the bridge.
Ask the kids what they have learned so far about Moses – do a quick review and then ask

them if they are ready to see what God is doing today to help Moses become the person God

needs.

During your class time when you teach the Bible story to the class remind the kids that just like Newton and his friends are building the bridge one section at a time and it takes a long time but when it’s done it will helps lots of people that God is working on making them be who He wants them to be. And while it takes us a long time to grow up God is always there and He is going to us to help lots of other people too. Just like God worked with Moses and helped him become a man that God could use.

Week 2: God Hears the Israelites Cries

Pharaoh Says (Simon Says)

Play the child's game Simon Says but instead of saying "Simon says ...", say "Pharaoh says ..." Explain to the kids that the Pharaoh was the King of Egypt. And he had made the Israelites slaves. A slave had to do whatever the King and the King's people said to do. The King and the King's people could work them all day and really fast and could be mean. Invite the kids to play Pharaoh Says with you explaining that you will be the Pharaoh and they will be the slaves who must do whatever the Pharaoh says.

Musical Prayers (in your Lesson, page 27, also a Check-In Activity)

This is a game we are scheduled to play during Check-In but is also a neat activity to do in class after you have taught the story. You can review with the children through this game what they can do when they are sad.

When we are sad it is human nature to withdraw, feel sorry for ourselves, get mad, lash out at others, hoard our resources, etc. Encourage the kids that when they have a problem, God is there to help and they can cry (talk) out to Him just like the Israelites did.

Good Point Reminder: Remind the kids as you teach the lesson that God saved Moses when he was just a little baby. And now the Israelites are crying out to God to save them and God asks Moses to go and free the people. Remind the kids that if Moses had not been saved, he wouldn't have been able to help the Israelites get free. God knew that Moses would do this even when he was just a tiny baby. God knows us and knows what we can do for Him even when we are little and He promises to help us just like He helped Moses as a baby.

Ask the kids what they think will happen next week. How will God uses Moses to save the Israelites? Do they think Moses will be scared?

Week 1: Baby Moses

Our Main Point this weekend is God Has a Plan For Me. Take a few minutes this week to read Psalm 139 and Matthew 10:29-31. Thank God that He is involved in your life. He was present in your birth even before you knew of Him, He knew of you. And Christ has the very hairs on our head numbered. God desires a relationship with us and this is why He sent His Son, Jesus. This desire is why God set the Israelites free because He knew that through them redemption and restoration could come to all people. That means me and you! Moses life was used by God to bring us a Savior that would set us free. You and me we are part of that story. Isn't that amazing!

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After telling the kids the story of Baby Moses play this game with them:

Hide a special item in the room before class. Just like Moses' mother had something very special that you do too. Ask the kids what did Moses' mother have that was so special? (A baby named Moses). Encourage the kids to guess what you have that is so special. After you tell the kids what you have hidden explain that you will be taking turns pretending to be Moses' mother and the Pharaoh's daughter. Pick a child to be Pharaoh's daughter and go searching for the item. When they have found the item pick another child to be Pharaoh's daughter. Have them turn their back to the class and close their eyes. Then have the child pretend to be Moses' mother and hide the special item in the room. Once it is hidden, have the child who is Pharaoh's daughter search for the the item.

Remind kids each time the item is found that just like that item is special to you and Moses was special to his mother and to God, that they are special to God. God cares about them. He knows who they are and where they are and has promised that He will always be with them. He will take care of them and just like Moses' mother had to trust God when she put Moses in the basket in the water, they can trust God too.

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Bring a baby doll and a basket to class. Put the basket in the middle of the floor and have the children sit around the basket in a circle. Explain that the basket is in the middle of the water.

Pass the baby around and talk with the children about what babies do and what they can't do. Ask the children what they baby might do in the basket. Ask them if they think the baby might be scared. Talk with the children about how Moses' mother was probably scared to put him in the basket and put him in the water.

Then place the baby in the basket and talk to the children about how Moses' mother trusted God. God took care of baby Moses and sent the Pharaoh's daughter to find him. He was able to grow up and learn and become healthy and strong. Because Moses' mother trusted God her son was saved and Moses grew up to one day save all of the Israelites from the mean Pharaoh.

Talk to the children about how God knew that Moses was the right person to do the job and help the Israelites escape. God took care of Moses and helped him do good things for God.

Remind the children that God knows them and has good things that He wants them to do for Him too. He will take care of them and help them do good things for God too.

Week 7: David Thanking God

This week's lesson is about David who thanked God for all He had given him. In our culture it is easy to thank God for things: toys, clothes, houses, food. While everything we have comes from God we also have to remember that there are many reasons to thank God other than what we have or own. If not, how else do we describe the joy and gratitude that many in poorer countries are able to still praise God. To help the kids expand their idea of what they can thank God for try one of these activities:

Body Parts

Grab a pack of sticky notes or a roll of tape. You can either place the tape or sticky notes on the following body parts or you can ask the kids to take turns putting the tape or sticky notes on these parts:

head
eyes
ears
hands
mouth
nose
feet
legs
knees
hands
fingers
arms

Then as you take a piece of tape or sticky note off (you can involve the kids here by asking them one at a time to choose one piece to tear off) and have the kids list things that they are able to do or experience because they have the body God gave them.

They can:

think/read/ see/watch TV/run/jump/eat/hear/sing/listen to music/talk to their friends/listen to their mom sing them to sleep/let their dad read them a book/they can crawl/they can pick up things/ throw the ball - lots of things!!!

Inside/Outside

Place Velcro tape halfway down the room (we have Velcro tape available in the main room. See Jessica if you want to use it.). Explain to the kids that one side represents the Inside and what side represents the Outside. Explain that the kids are going to have to listen closely and jump or run back and forth to whatever side you call out.

Have the kids "practice" by calling out Inside. All the kids should run to that side. Then call Outside and they should run to the other side. Do this 2-3 times.

Then explain that now they have to name something they are thankful for that is either Inside or Outside.

Call out Inside or Outside and let the kids run to the correct side. Then have them holler out something that is either Inside (toys, couch, bed, stove, toys, TV, clothes) or Outside (sun, rain, grass, moon, stars, snow, hills, etc.).

Pagers Coming to a Pre-K & K Near You!

Beginning the weekend of September 4th & 5th we will be using pagers in the Nursery and Pre-K & K area.

Why?

This improves communication with the parent. Our current system relies on parents seeing the number boards located off to the sides of the stage. Unfortunately, parents do not always notice the number boards. I, myself, have been sitting there in worship or during a sermon and suddenly seen my number and unsure of how long it had been up there. Parents do not always notice the number boards. In addition, the number boards only work if a parent is attending a service in the main sanctuary. For parents attending Vida Nueva or a class in another room or across the street in the Discipleship Center or for parents serving in another area (Nursery/Elementary/Band/Tech), we have no way of reaching them immediately.

Pagers will allow us to communicate to all parents in the above situations. It will also allow you to communicate with me or the Children’s Pastor should you need us for any reason.

How will it work?

1. Parents will pick up a pager at check-in at the HUB.
2. The computers will prompt them to get a pager and request that they type in the pager

number.
3. They will have to do this to receive their stickers.

4. The stickers will print out and include the child’s pager number on both the child’s sticker and

the parent’s sticker.
5. There is 1 Pager/Family.

6. They will drop off children as normal. There are no changes in drop off.
7. At pick-up, parents will return their pager.
8. There will be a box in every room for us to store pagers as they are dropped off.
9. Pagers cannot serve as a pick-up sticker. Parents must still have their pick-up sticker to get

their child.
10. At pick-up, we simply ask parents if they have their pager and take it from them and put in

the box.
11. A parent may not have a pager if they have a child in Nursery as they may have picked that

child up already and returned the pager to the Nursery Room.
12. A parent may wish to hold to the pager if they have a child in Nursery so that they can be

contacted till they get down to the Nursery Room.
13. If we need to contact a parent, we look at the child’s sticker for the Pager Number.

14. We call the HUB (ext. 203) and notify them of the child’s pager number.
15. The HUB will page the parent.

Bottom Line: Pagers picked up by parent at HUB. Pagers returned at Nursery or Pre-K/K Rooms. Pagers cannot be used to pick up a child; parents must have matching pick-up sticker. Leaders should ask for pager back at pick-up but realize that a parent may not have it or want to return it at another room if they have children in both the Nursery and Pre-K&K area. To page a parent find the child’s pager number on their sticker and notify the HUB (ext. 203).

How will parents know?
We are announcing it in the bulletin the next two weeks and the first weekend we begin. Beginning this weekend Pager Facts Postcards will be available at the HUB, passed out at each Nursery Room and during check-in in the Pre-K & K area. Info will also be posted on the Pre-K & K parents’ blog (http://www.parentstoolshed.blogspot.com/) and using Facebook for those families on Facebook.

Parents will have lots of questions and, as with any change, there may be bumps and kinks to work out as we go. But we are excited about having pagers and improving our communication with parents while we are caring for, loving and teaching their children.

Teaching Like Jesus

At Saturday's training we looked at ten qualities that made Jesus such a great teacher. Here are the first three we looked at:

Jesus had a personal relationship with the Father.

• Read John 5:16-47; 8; 10;14-17. Jesus through out the book of John refers to His Father and the relationship He has with Him. Jesus' teaching was grounded in the ultimate Truth - that of a personal relationship with God. He was sent by God.
• We as teachers (and we are all teachers even if our title is just "assistant") must have a personal relationship with Christ. To not have a relationship with Him and then to teach is likes someone trying to teach fishing who has only read about fish in a book and doesn't own a fishing pole. We are not called to perfection (to continue the analogy, an "expert fisherman") but we are called to a relationship with Christ (again to continue the analogy, we should own a "fishing pole").
• You and I have been sent to "make disciples". Matthew 28:19

Possessed knowledge of the Scriptures.

• Throughout the Gospels Jesus quoted from the Scriptures (the Old Testament: the Torah, the Psalms, and the Prophets.
• Read Matthew 4 and Luke 4. Jesus used Scripture to defeat the enemy.
• He used the Scriptures to show the people God's plan of redemption.
• Jesus used Scriptures (Matthew 5:21-48) to help the people see that God's law was not being done away with but being complete in Him. He was moving us forward from the Law.
• We need to study the Scriptures and our lessons. We need to be prepared to share with our kids how the Bible is true and relevant to their lives.
• We need to be able to use all of the Scriptures to teach the kids about God's plan of redemption through Christ and how Christ desires us to move forward and live holy.

Spoke with authority.

• Throughout the Gospels Jesus is seen commanding the demons. Just a brief walk through Mark and you see the word 'commanded' numerous times, often followed by the word 'immediately' signify that Jesus was both a man of action and man for whom things happened as He said with no hesitation. Read Matthew 9:36, 14:14, 15:32, 20:34; Mark 1:41, 6:34, 8:2; Luke 7:13, 10:33.
• The disciples marveled that the "even the winds and waves obey Him". Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41
• Jesus' authority came from the two preceding qualities: a relationship with God and a knowledge of the Scriptures. Both of these qualities gave Him His mission: to seek and to save what was lost & to preach good news to the poor, proclaim freedom for the prisoners, recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.
• Our authority comes when we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ - when we experience it first hand - and when become a continuous student of the Scriptures. It is there - in our relationship and in the Scriptures- that we are given our mission. Our mission is to follow in our Savior's footsteps and proclaim the good news.

3 down; 7 to go.

Questions to think on/ask yourself:

1. Do I have a personal relationship with Christ? In other words, have I made a decision that I am going to follow Him?
2. Do I talk to God other than when I am in trouble or in need?
3. When was the last time I thanked Him both for who He is and for what He has done for me?
4. When was the last time I shared with Him my dreams and ideas and concerns?
5. How often do I bring to Him the needs of others?
6. Do I spend time studying God's Word?
7. Do I look over the lesson for the weekend in advance or do I wait till that morning?
8. Do I look for ways to apply what I am learning through my reading, through the kids' lessons, through the sermons each weekend?
9. Am I living holy? This doesn't mean perfection but rather attempting to live in a way that is "whole"/"complete", that is pleasing to Christ, that is good and just and right?
10. When I fail - as we all do - do I seek God's forgiveness, comfort and wisdom on how to continue and move forward with Him?
11. Do I know how to study God's Word?
12. If not or if I am unsure, am I asking for help? (There are many different ways to study and learn God's Word. There is no one "right" way. If you are interested in ways to help you learn more from God's Word email me or keep an eye on the blog for more posts about that.
13. Am I lacking confidence?
14. Have I asked Christ to give me confidence and wisdom when teaching?

Missions Weekend - Aug 29 & 30

On your CD (the blue CD) you will find in the Curriculum Folder the lesson for this weekend: Special Services - Missions Weekend - Aug 29 & 30.

In the lesson there are 3 activities I would like to highlight:

1. Loud & Quiet (Main Room Activity)
2. Red Light, Green Light (Main Room Activity)
3. No Way! We Will Always Say That Jesus Is The Way (Closing Room Activity)

These are activities that you can do in your class to open up the lesson or to end with. They are great to do when you are done with the lesson and craft as both a way to review and a way to keep the kids occupied during Check-Out Time.

Here are a few tips for making the story come alive as you teach it:

• Bring duct tape or tape and a rope. These can be used as a tangible way to point out that the leaders wanted Peter and John to be quiet and not speak. And when they wouldn't listen they were tied up and taken to jail.
• Stick your legs out & have the kids try to pick them up. When talking about the lame man in this weekend's story to help the kids get a visual of the fact that he couldn't walk, stick your legs straight out and then try to lift them. When you "can't" get them off the ground ask the kids to help lift your legs. Pretend that not even they can get them to work b/c when they get your leg off the ground and let go it just falls back down.
• Do the crawl. Ask the kids how would they around if they couldn't walk. Have them crawl around the room using just their arms.
• Have the kids pretend to be Peter and John and pray for you. Lead them in a prayer asking Jesus to help your legs work. When they are done...JUMP UP!
• Have kids sit down in circle with legs straight out. When you tap them on the head they are to immediately JUMP UP!

Also be sure to remind the kids that Peter and John didn't just ask Jesus to heal the man's legs but told the man about Jesus. Help the kids to learn that Jesus cares about all of us but the most important part to know is that He loves us and wants us to tell others that He loves them too.

Week 6 Lesson Tips & Sharing Helps

This week's lesson is pretty simple. A few ideas to help the story come alive are:

• Bring a stick or cane or umbrella. Let the kids take turns pretending to be Mephibosheth.
• Bring a stuffed animal. Explain to the kids that they are going to take turns holding the bear as you tell the story. Their job is to sit quietly and listen to the story. When they are holding the stuffed animal they are to be kind to it (hugs, kisses, high fives, etc.). When you point to them they are to "share" the stuffed animal with the person next to them and give it to them.
• With the help of the other leader(s) in your room act out some scenarios for the kids and ask them to tell you how they should share. Examples: Bring water bottle and pretend to be very hot - should you share with the other leader who is very hot? Bring a snack and the other leader is very hungry - what should you do? Bring some coloring pages and have the other leader have the crayons - what should the both of you do? Fight with your leader over the same chair - what should you do?

Here are some good ideas/tips that we can use to help our kids learn to share:

• Remind kids when they are not sharing that this might make his friends not want to share with him or play with him.
• Take the toys in question away; if the kids won't share then neither of them can play with the toys.
• When you see a child sharing, thank her for sharing her toys with others.
• When a child becomes upset because he has to share, point out other toys that they can play with as well.
• When a child becomes upset because she has to share, point out what she can now do together that she couldn't do before by herself.
• When kids are fighting over toys, have them take turns playing with the item. Be sure to put a time limit on the turn that is fair and reasonable for the child.
• Many times when a preschooler is upset about sharing it isn't about sharing exactly but about the idea of fairness/justice. Perhaps another child simply took something without asking. Perhaps another child pushed them over to get to their spot. In this situation help the other child learn to ask to play with the toy or play in the same spot. Many times this simple act of respect can cause a child to want to share.

New Memory Verse this Weekend

NEW MEMORY VERSE

All men will know that you are my disciples,

if you love one another. John 13:35

Week 5: Lesson Tips

This week's lesson is a review of our 1st four lessons: how God takes David from a shepherd to the King. It is a reminder of how God was with David when no one knew him and his own family forgot him to when he was a hero who killed the giant Goliath to being chased by King Saul and having to hide in caves to becoming the King of Israel as God promised him many years before.

It's a lesson about how no matter what is happening in our lives we can be happy because God loves us.

To help the kids review and have fun at the same time there will be 6 balloons in your room. If you do not use this teaching tip it is okay b/c the balloons go along with the theme of Marty visiting Balloon Island.

Each balloon represents 6 key points of the story of David - from shepherd to King. As you review with the kids the 6 points, take down a balloon and tie to a chair.

The 6 points are:

1. David was chosen by Samuel who God sent to his house. David was chosen to be King. Even though his brothers and father didn't think he was important enough to be called inside when the very important man named Samuel came, God saw him and knew him and chose him to be king.

Have kids put a crown on their head.
Ask: Why could David be happy when chosen to be king?
Answer: Because God loved him no matter what.
Ask: Can we be happy?
Answer: Yes! Because God loves us no matter what.

2. David fought the huge giant, Goliath. When everyone else was afraid David was brave because he knew God was with him.

Have kids pretend they are throwing a slingshot.
Ask: Why could David be happy when he fought the giant?
Answer: Because God loved him no matter what.
Ask: Can we be happy?
Answer: Yes! Because God loves us no matter what.

3. David became a soldier in King Saul's army. He was very brave and won lots of battles. The people loved David and cheered for him.

Have kids shout, jump and cheer.
Ask: Why could David be happy when everybody liked him?
Answer: Because God loved him no matter what.
Ask: Can we be happy?
Answer: Yes! Because God loves us no matter what.

4. Pretty soon King Saul became angry because the people liked David so much. He didn't want David to be king because he was king. He started trying to hurt David and David had to run away and hide. King Saul chased David and David had to hide in caves and leave his friends and family.

Have kids pretend to be hiding from King Saul.
Ask: Why could David be happy when he was sad and being chased by King Saul?
Answer: Because God loved him no matter what.
Ask: Can we be happy?
Answer: Yes! Because God loves us no matter what.

5. David played music and sang to God when he was happy and when he was sad. When David was fighting and brave and when he was running and hiding from King Saul David would talk to God and sing to him.

Have kids pretend they are playing an instrument.
Ask: Why could David be happy and talk and sing to God when things were good
and when things were bad?
Answer: Because God loved him no matter what.
Ask: Can we be happy?
Answer: Yes! Because God loves us no matter what.

6. Then one day God made David king just like God had promised. All the people loved David and David was in charge of the whole kingdom.

Have kids pretend they are putting on a crown.
Ask: Why could David be happy when he was King of Israel?
Answer: Because God loved him no matter what.
Ask: Can we be happy?
Answer: Yes! Because God loves us no matter what.

When you are all done have kids dance and shout and cheer around the balloons because God loves them.

Week 4 Lesson Tips

Main Point: I Will Be Kind When Others Are Mean
Bible Story: David & Jonathan - 1 Samuel 17:17-52
Memory Verse: Let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven. Matthew 5:16

Lesson Review

This week's story is built on last week's story. take a few minutes to review with the kids what they learned last week.

• David and Jonathan were friends (remember the happy faces?)
• King Saul didn't like David (remember the angry face?)
• King Saul wanted to hurt David (remember the scared faces?)
• But Jonathan helped David to get away and they promises to always be friends (remember the happy faces?)

This week the King is still mad at David and is being very mean. He is being so mean to David that David is having to run and hide all the time. Begin this week's story.

Hide and Sneak

A great way to help your kids remember the lesson is to get them actively involved in the story. Here are a couple ideas.

1. Hide & Find - Hide an object in your classroom. Either before or after you tell this week's story have the children quietly - "just like David" - search for the object. They must learn to "sneak" around to find the object "just like David" had to sneak up to Saul to take his spear. You can have one item they all search for or several items.
2. Hide and Sneak - After telling the kids this week's story have them act out the story. Choose a child to be the King, another child to be David and another to be David's friend. The rest of the children are to be the King's soldiers. Place the King in the middle of the floor surrounded by his soldiers. Have them pretend to be sleeping - lay down and snoring. Then have David and his friend tiptoe through the soldiers and next to the King and take the King's spear. Have David and his friend hurry out and stand on the other side of the room (the hill) and then holler at the King and his soldiers. You can do this several times with different kids playing the part of the King, David and David's friend.
3. For fun, at the end of the lesson or at the beginning (just be aware of who your kids are and how many as it may be harder for them to settle down for a story if you do this first), pretend to be the King who is chasing David and "chase" the kids around the room. The kids have to scurry and "hide" from you. Make up some rules about how they can "hide" - they must tiptoe (because they have to be quiet), they have to tell you what they are pretending to hide behind (a bush, a tree, a cave) and you have to "chase" different ways - a skip, a hop on one foot, like a monster, on all fours, etc.

New Blog For Parents

I have a blog for parents now - http://www.heritagetoolshed.blogspot.com/. I will be posting weekly reminders and info about our lessons coming up as well as tips and ideas and cute stories about the kids. I will also be doing leader interviews/get-to-know-you posts from time to time as well.

Feel free to check it out and tell our families.

Week 3 Lesson Tips

4 Faces of Emotions

(In your classroom will be 4 Faces of Emotions on popsicle sticks to use if you so choose.)

Recognizing the emotions of the people in the Bible is a great way to enhance your understanding of God's Word. When we recognize the emotions that individuals had in the Bible they become real people. They aren't superhuman able to endure great odds. They were real people who put their trust in God.

Emotions are also a great way for kids, especially young kids. to connect with the story. They know sadness, anger, happiness and being scared. Helping them to identify David's emotions not only helps them connect with the Bible story but makes the idea that God can help them too real.

Simply tell the story of David and Jonathan and King Saul. Let the kids know that today you will need their help to tell the story. Show them each of the 4 Faces of Emotions. Ask them to make an angry face, a sad face, a happy face, and a scared face. Explain that as you tell the story whenever you hold up one of the faces of emotion they need to make that same face.

David meets Jonathan = Happy (friends make us happy, sharing makes us happy)
David returns from battle victorious = Happy (cheering, people were happy they had won, they were singing)
King Saul gets mad = Angry (Saul's face turned red, he didn't like that the people loved David)
David was sad = Sad (David was sad that the King didn't like him.)
David has to hide = Scared (the King was trying to hurt him, his only friend was Jonathan)
Jonathan was sad = Sad (Jonathan was probably sad that his dad wanted to hurt his friend)
David was happy = Happy (to have such a good friend)
King Saul gets mad again = Angry (King Saul tries to kill David)
David was scared = Scared (David had to leave so the King couldn't hurt him)
David was happy= Happy (David was so happy to have a good friend like Jonathan who would helped him)
David and Jonathan = Sad (sad that they had to say good bye)
David and Jonathan = Happy (but glad to be friends and promised to always take care of one another and their families

Props

Bring in pictures from magazines or your own pictures and disscuss with the kids who friends are and what they do. Share. Play together. Eat together. Help. Care for. Protect. They do the right thing because God wants us to do the right thing and help others.

You could also bring in leaves, batteries and seeds and talk to the kids about what our characters were learning today. They lived in a treehouse (leaves) but didn't want to help one another. They each had something they other needed - batteries and seeds. They needed to help each other. Use this to start talking with the kids about how Jonathan helped David in this week's story.

Week 2 Lesson Tips

Props

Bring in bread and a basket – David taking food to his brothers.
Bring in 5 smooth stones or rocks – David picked up 5 stones.
Bring in a slingshot if you have one – David used this to throw his stone.
Bring in clothes that are too big for you – David couldn’t fit into the King’s armor. Bring in clothes and shoes that will be too big for the kids and dress up one of the kids in the clothes and have them to try to run and fight.

5 Senses

Using your 5 senses is a great way to help kids place themselves in the story and remember it.

Go over the 5 senses with your kids:

Today we are going to use our 5 senses to learn our Bible Story. Does anyone know what your 5 senses are? (Point to your nose.) What does your nose do? I can smell. Everyone take in a big deep breath. (Point to your eyes.) What about my eyes? I can see. Put on your binoculars. What do you see in our room? (Let the kids name some things.) I can taste. (Stick out your tongue.) (Point to your ears.) What about these things on the side of my head? I can hear too. And I can touch and feel things. (Wiggle your fingers.) My shirt is soft but my book is hard. Today we are going to use our nose, our ears, our mouth, our hands and our eyes to find out how David, just a young boy, killed a mighty, mighty giant. Are you ready?

David had 7 brothers. Let’s count them. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 and they were far away fighting. One day David’s dad packed up some bread and other food and told David to take it to his brothers. Can you smell the bread? (Take a deep breath.) It was probably warm. (Rub hands together.) So David started out walking. Can you use your legs to walk? (Walk in place or in their seats.)

When David got to where his brothers were, he gave them the food and then suddenly (Tell the kids to freeze.), David heard a loud, loud noise coming from up on the hill. (Cup your hand around your ears.) Did you hear that? He looked up (Have kids look up using their binoculars made by their hands) and you know what he saw? He saw a very BIG giant. This giant was taller than anyone in all of Israel. (Stand up on your chair – just you not the kids.) David heard (Have kids put their hands around their ear like they are trying to listen) the giant say: (Use a very loud booming voice) I am the commander of the Philistine Army. Who is brave enough to come fight me? You are all scaredy cats. You are like ants to me. Come here and I will stomp on you!”

(Sit back down.) All of David’s brothers and the other soldiers ran away in fear. Can you use your legs to run and hide? (Shake like you are scared too.) The giant was so big. How big do you think the giant was? I wonder what it sounded like when he walked. I bet it was BOOM BOOM. Can you guys walk like a giant?

Even though all the soldiers were scared, David wasn’t. He knew that God was bigger than any giant. When the King heard that David wasn’t scared he asked David to come see him. So David went to see the King. (Let's walk to see the King) The King asked David how he could fight the giant. David told him that God was a big God and could defeat the giant. David told the King that when he was watching the sheep God helped him kill a bear and a lion. Wow! What does a bear sound like? (encourage kids to roar like a lion.) How does a lion walk? (Have kids act like lions.) They were big animals and they wanted to eat the sheep. I wonder what sheep taste like. They were hungry; what does your tummy sound like when it is hungry. (It growls.) David saved the sheep because God was there and helped him. David would take his sling and put in a rock (reach out and pick up a rock and put it in your sling) and swing it above your head and let it go and then wait for it and then holler “Yes”) Hey everybody get your sling out and put a rock in it. Let’s sling wave it over our heads and get ready to throw it at the bear. (Wave sling above your heads). Can you hear the wind? We are making our sling go really fast. Here we go. Ready. 1 2 3 Did you see it? Did you get the lion or the bear? (Use your bionculars/eyes to see the bear or lion fall down.) Yeah!

So David wasn’t scared of a giant. So the King put armor on David. He gave him a helmet and a shield. What else do you think he gave David? (Let kids guess). Let’s put on our armor together. (Act like you are putting on armor & remember it’s heavy). But guess what? David had a problem. He was just a boy. The King’s armor was too big for him. It didn’t fit. He couldn’t walk in it. It was too heavy. (Have kids stand up and to pretend to try to walk). So David took off all that heavy armor. (Take armor off and remember it’s heavy). He decided he would face that giant with just his sling and God on his side.

So David walked out to meet the giant. He stopped at a stream of water and picked up 5 smooth stones. Can you guys pick up 5 smooth stones? (Pretend like you are picking up stones; throw some away becuase they are rough.) Make sure they are nice and smooth. He probably had to wipe off his hands from the water. Do you think it was warm or cold?

Then David walked up the hill. Let’s walk up the hill. When that giant saw the little boy David, you know what he started to do? Listen. I’ll show you. (Get back up on chair and start laughing really loudly). The giant started laughing and said, “You sent out a little boy to fight me! I will squash him like a bug!” The giant was so much bigger than David.

But David wasn’t scared and he had told the King he would fight the giant so he knew that he would do what he said. He knew he could because God was with him. So David shouted – "You come at me with a sword but I come with God on my side and today the Lord will help me defeat you.” And then David ran - let’s run too (run in seats) towards the giant and he waved his sling way up high in the sky (wave your sling) and threw that rock at the giant.

(Get back up on the chair) That rock came very very fast through the air and hit the giant right between the eyes (point) and that giant wobbled and wobbled (act this out) and then fell (fall down) down. BOOM. How loud do you think it was when he hit the ground?

And all of the soldiers began to shout and to holler. Can you hear them? Let’s shout too! Whoooooo!

Week 1 Lesson Tips

Act Out the Story

Choose a child for each of these people in the story (10 total):

Samuel
David
Jesse – David’s father
7 brothers

Have the remaining children sit down in a circle and explain that they are going to help you tell the story today.

Have the child playing David stand away from the rest of the group.

Have the 7 brothers stand in a line.

Have Jesse stand at the “door”.

Have Samuel be ready to walk with you.

Explain to the kids in the circle that Samuel was a man who listened to God and God told him things. One day God told Samuel to go to Jesse’s house because one of Jesse’s sons would be the new King. (Walk with Samuel to Jesse’s “door” and knock on the door.)

When Samuel got to Jesse’s house he asked Jesse to get all his sons and bring them to him. So Jesse called his sons over. (Have Jesse walk over to the 7 sons. Have all the 7 sons follow Jesse back to where Samuel is.)

Samuel looked at each son to see if he was to be the next King, but God tells him “Nope” (Shake your head back and forth.) Explain to the kids it’s their job when Samuel (put your hands on the child playing Samuel) looks at each brother to shake their heads and holler out “Nope!” Have the kids practice saying “Nope!” and shaking their head back and forth. Have Samuel stand in front of each brother and wait for the kids to shout “Nope!”

Then explain that when Samuel couldn’t find the right son to be King, God tells him “Don’t look at the outside, but look at the inside.” (Shake your finger when you say “Don’t” and make binoculars with your hands around your eyes when you “look”. Move your binoculars up and down when you say “outside”. Continue to use binoculars as you say “but look” and then point at the heart when you say “inside”.) Have the kids practice saying this with you.

Tell the kids that Samuel asked Jesse if he had any other sons and Jesse said he did. He had one more son named David. He was the youngest and smallest and was out watching the sheep. Samuel told Jesse to call for David to come in. Explain that when it’s time for Jesse to call David they must help call David by hollering over to David. Have them shout for David. Have David walk over to where Samuel, Jesse and the 7 brothers are.

When David came inside God told Samuel that David would be the new King. Have kids point at David and say, “That’s the one!” David might have been the smallest and youngest, but God knew that David loved him and would obey Him and knew that He was just the right person to be King. God knew that because God doesn’t look at who is the biggest or best or oldest. God looks at us and see how each of us is special and made by Him and each of us can do something special for Him just like David was made to be King. Because God doesn’t look at the outside but looks at the inside. (Use the motions.) Have the kids repeat this with you.

Props

Bring in 8 objects that vary in size from largest to smallest. Put the smallest object in your pocket or under your seat out of the vision of the children.

Pick up the biggest object first as you tell the children that Samuel looked at the oldest brother. He was very tall but God said “No”. Put down the object. Pick up the next largest item as you talk about the next brother and how tall, good looking, strong, fast, etc. he was. Each time God tells Samuel "No" put down the object.

As you talk about Samuel asking if Jesse had any other sons and that Jesse had not called in David, pick up the smallest item from wherever you have it hidden. Tell the kids that David was the youngest and no one thought it was important to call him. No one thought he was big enough or smart enough to be King. He wasn’t tall or strong or big or as fast as his older brothers. But God saw him and told Samuel he would be King. Because God looks at us and sees how each of us is special and different. We don’t have to be the biggest or the best or the fastest. We just have to love God and He loves us already. And no matter what will always love us.

Other ideas:

You could bring in measuring tape or ruler and have the kids guess how big each of David’s brothers were. When it is time for David to be chosen you could throw away the measuring tape or ruler because doesn’t use that. He knows each of us already and knows how special we are and what we can do for Him no matter how tall or big or fast or great we are.



What comes next?

Tell the story but stop and ask kids questions as you go.

Today I’m going to need your help to tell our story. Our story today is about Samuel. Samuel listened to God and obeyed God. One day God told him something very important. He had a special job for him.

Do you remember what God told Samuel to go do?

Samuel was to go find the next King. He was to go to a man’s house named Jesse. Jesse had lots of sons; one of them was going to be King. So when Samuel got to Jesse’s house, Jesse called his sons to come in and meet Samuel.

How many sons did Jesse bring to meet Samuel? Can you count them with me?

Jesse brought his 7 sons to meet Samuel. And Samuel looked at each one. Some were tall and some were big and some were fast and some were strong.

Did God choose any of them to be King?

None of those 7 sons were to be King. God told Samuel that it didn’t matter what someone looked like on the outside. God wanted someone that loved Him and someone that He had made special. So Samuel asked Jesse if he had any other sons left.

Did Jesse have any other sons? Where was David?

David was the youngest and smallest and they forgot to call him home. He was out watching sheep. They brought David in to meet Samuel.

What did God say about David? Did God pick David to be King?

David was chosen to be King. God knew that David was special and would make a good King. God knew Him and knew he could do the job.

Do you think God knows us? How made us?

God made us just like He made David and He knows we are special and no matter what we look like on the outside He knows we can do great things for Him.

Knighthood: The Armor of God

And so we're off... learning to be Knights in this Kingdom. Called to wear the Armor of God.

We find this Armor of God in the book of Ephesians. Ephesians was a letter written to the church in Ephesus. According to the NIV Study Bible, "Ephesus was the most important city in western Asia Minor", in what is now Turkey. The book of Ephesians varies from some of Paul's other letters in that it is not written to correct or reprimand false teaching or wrong doing in the church in Ephesus. Rather it seems written to remind the Ephesus' church of their blessings and identity in Christ, Christ place in the world, and provide practical instructions on living this new life in Christ in the present reality of daily life.

Ephesians starts by reminding the church that they belong to Christ and this connecting/belonging to Christ brings them blessings and grace from the very throne room of God. Paul also spends time reminding the church that Christ is at the center of EVERYTHING and that EVERYTHING has been planned. In the very first chapter Paul states, "He showed us the mystery of his plan. It was in keeping with what he wanted to do. It was what he had planned through Christ. It will all come about when history has been completed. God will then bring together all things in heaven and on earth under one ruler. The ruler is Christ."

What encouragement! What joy! To know that this life is part of all that has come before and will come to be. That history is not an aimless strain of events propelled forward by man's forethought and actions. There is a plan. Not a Plan B, but a PLAN. And it will...someday be made complete. EVERYTHING. You. Me. Countries. Earth. Land. All will be brought to the place it should be. It reminds me of something else Paul said: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). Of course, this doesn't mean that life works out just the way we want or had planned. But it does mean that we can be confident that God is in control and have seated His Son at His right hand, He will bring things together as they should be. Which means I do not have to worry or fret because His plan is always better than mine for He sees a thousand days ahead and knows what each act and each moment can affect in the generations to come.

Paul then spends time teaching the church that they are not a bunch of single cell units floating around, but are a single organism, a body. There is no Jew or non-Jew. No circumcised or non circumcised. Christ's grace and mercy and love and power and plan are available through him to all. And as such we should live as one, each having received the same "gift of grace" (4:7). Then begins instructions on how to treat each other and our neighbors.

The church is to think differently ("to be made new in your thinking"), to speak differently ("get rid of your lying", "don't let any evil talk come out of your mouths"). Change our heart attitudes ( do not let the sun go down while you are still angry", " get rid of all hard feelings, anger and rage", "put away every form of hatred") Act differently ("never steal again", "be kind and tender", "forgive"). And so it goes through the rest of Ephesians. Paul provides practical instructions on how to live with each other, regardless of the relationship: neighbor, husband, wife, children, parents, slaves, and masters.

And then Paul ends with his final instruction: Finally, let the Lord make you strong. Depend on his might power. Put on all of God's armor (6:10). Armor - protection against an invading army and protection against an advancing army. As Christians we are both to defend and advance the Kingdom of God. But we are not called to go it alone or unarmed.

And here Paul reminds us that we are not fighting "flesh and blood". Our battle is not with one another. Our battles is not with the "world". Our battle is not with the "unsaved". As Christians we would do well to remember that our battle is not with the homosexual, the pornographer, the thief, the liar or any other individual we want to label and define. It is with something bigger and far uglier than you or I or another individual that bears the image of God. "It is against the rulers, the authorities and the powers of this dark world. it is against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly world." (6:12)

And how do we face these evil powers? By putting on all God's armor, "then you can stand firm against the devils' evil plans." (6:11) And this armor? It is truth, righteousness (not being right but standing made right through God's grace), good news of peace, faith, salvation, God's Word. It is not violent, but it is firm. It is not attacking others, but standing against that evil in its truest form.

It is contradictory to our way of thinking. But the Kingdom advances and defends through not rhetoric or a gospel that divides and alienates, but through those who follow Christ standing firm in the grace of Christ and acting from that grace in truth, in grace, in peace, in faith, in salvation, in knowledge, in prayer...in direct relationship with Christ.

In belonging to Christ. In being connected to Christ. Which brings us back to Chapter 1. We belong to Christ and everything - blessings, grace, faithfulness, kindness, family, mercy, unity, love - flows from that.

We would do well to follow Paul's admonitions to "put on all of God's armor". We find in Revelations that Ephesus would later be accused of having "lost their first love" (2:4) They are pushed to "Do the things you did at first." (2:5). Those first things? The Bible does not tell us, but perhaps it was the daily task of living in relation to Christ, living in love to one another, and daily putting on all of God's armor, thus defending and advancing the Kingdom for their First Love.