The Gospel is Good News

Over the last several months we taught our kiddos about the life of Jesus from the cradle to the cross. In this lesson, we review the good news about Jesus, and introduce the word gospel into our preschoolers' vocabulary.  We even sneak in some beginning geography skills!

Bible Truth: Jesus teaches me to share the gospel.
Bible Story: Before Jesus went back to heaven, He told His friends to preach the gospel.
Bible Study: Matthew 28:18-19; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:1-8; Romans 1:16-17

teach

show and TELL

An inflatable globe is a great, preschool-friendly visual.  Both the visual and tactical elements help develop some of a child's first geographical concepts.  Since the children can safely handle the globe, it can also be used in games like the one I describe below.  I picked mine up from Hobby Lobby for under $10.

Holding my Bible open, I explain that before Jesus went back to heaven, He commanded us to go into all the world and preach the gospel.  Then, I hold up the globe as we talk about the world.  I point out where we live, and point out a few other continents or countries, especially those where we have missionaries that we support. I point out that the blue parts are water, and the other colored parts are land where people live. I explain that Jesus wants everyone in the whole world to hear the gospel and know that He loves them.

An echo microphone brings a fun audio element to this lesson.  

I speak into it as I teach the meaning of the word gospel. The gospel is the good news about Jesus!  I hold up a picture or object to illustrate each point of the good news.

• Jesus came to save us.
• Jesus died on the cross for our sin.
• Jesus is alive.
• Jesus is making a home for us in heaven.
• Jesus loves you.

Then, I give each child a turn to stand up and use the microphone to say, "Jesus loves you!"  Older children may have more to say about Jesus.  

read

"I've Got a Job To Do" by Dandi Daley Mackall -  Through the daily life of a little girl, the author demonstrates practical ways to share the gospel at school, dance class, the beach, and everywhere we go. The title of the book is a refrain that is repeated in each scenario, as the little girl shares the love of Jesus with everyone around her.

"Every Child Everywhere" by Debby Anderson - I'm a huge fan of Debby Anderson's books. Endearing photography and illustrations of children from many countries, along with the message of God's love for them, help little ones understand that there are children all over the world who need to know the good news about Jesus.

sing

• Go! from Little Praise Party: Happy Day Everyday is a fun upbeat song about going into all the world to tell the good news.  You could teach the song to the children with simple actions, use it as a puppet song, or use it in the game as I describe below.

• Jesus Loves the Little Children from Veggie Tales is another great song for this lesson.  I like this version because it includes the lyrics, "Jesus came to save the children..."

play

around the world

This is another scripture pass game, similar to ones I have described before.  Gather the children to sit in a circle.  Play the song, "Go!" from above as they pass around the inflatable globe.  Randomly pause the music. The child holding the globe when the music stops, stands up.  Hold the echo microphone for each of you to speak into as they repeat Mark 16:15 after you, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel." Play the music, and continue passing the globe.

craft

the good news gospel

Children will share the gospel as they talk about each picture on this activity page. You will need:

• this activity page (globe graphics included)
• scissors
• glue sticks
• crayons
• optional stickers and craft items

To prepare, print out the activity page and cut out enough globe graphics for each child.

In class, help children glue their globe to the circle on the activity page.  Provide crayons for children to color, You may consider adding various craft items stickers, or cutouts that you have on hand to the graphics.  For example: heart stickers to the heart, foamie crosses to the cross, and/or sequins to the heaven graphic, etc.

gospel megaphone

Here is a simple craft, with a fun way to practice the memory verse.  You will need:

• colorful paper cups
• pipe cleaners
• a razor blade
• this scripture print out
• scissors
• glue
• stickers

To prepare, use the razor blade to cut out the bottoms of the cups.  Print, and cut out the scripture tags. Use the razor blade or other sharp object to poke holes in the cup, and cut the pipe cleaners in half.

In class, help the children assemble their megaphones.  Insert the ends of the pipe cleaners into the holes you made, and bend the ends inside the cup.  Glue the scripture tags to the megaphones, and provide stickers to decorate.  Practice saying the memory verse using their megaphones.

globe mosaic

This low-prep mosaic craft is a great visual reminder of this lesson, and promotes beginning geography skills as preschoolers create land masses separated by water.   This is an open-ended craft (my favorite!), however I suggest making an example first to demonstrate to the children how to create land masses separated by water like you see on the globe.  You will need:

• blue paper plates
• green construction paper
• this scripture print out
• glue (see this suggestion for using glue!)
• smiley stickers
• hole punch
• ribbon

To prepare, print and cut out the scripture tags.  You may choose to tear pieces of construction paper ahead of time, or if time allows, give the children strips of green paper to tear in class.

In class, provide glue sticks for the children to glue down their mosaic pieces and their scripture tags.  Add smiley stickers, representing different people all over the world that need to hear the gospel.  Punch a hole at the top of the plate, and add a ribbon to hang.  (Or in my case, the other half of the pipe cleaner that just happened to be sitting on my desk. Ha!)

See this post for more ideas to teach your child at home about sharing the gospel of Jesus!