Theme 4 Scope & Sequence

Hello there! It's good to be back here on the blog!

Although I took a break from blogging for a couple months, teaching and ministering to children has been in full force throughout the summer.  It was great to see and meet some of you (and your children) in June at my church's International Bible Conference!

Immediately after Conference, it was time to shift gears into full throttle preparation for Vacation Bible School.  This year we did Answers in Genesis' Camp Kilimanjaro: An Epic Expedition Through Proverbs. We had a blast, all centered around the wisdom of God's Word.  I'm always impressed with the biblical content in AIG's curriculum, and I especially love the JumpStart3 memory verse music that they have had the last the couple years.  The kids love these songs too! Singing God's Word is one of the best ways I know to help kids memorize scripture, and keep it hidden in their heart.  JumpStart3 has several albums, and all of their songs are straight scripture.  The style of the music is such that even older children find the music appealing.  I highly recommend them to use in your children's ministry, or at home with your own children.

If you have been following  my lessons here on the blog, you know that we are ready to jump into our next teaching unit! For the next two months in my class, we will be exploring the beginning and wonder of God's Creation. This teaching unit is perfect for young children, because it is so visual and tangible. You can view the lesson schedule below, and click on the link to download your own copy.  Follow along here on the blog for lots of ideas each week to help you teach these lessons. You can always leave a comment to share your own ideas as well.  I hope you'll join me!

Theme 4 Scope & Sequence

Ministry Update

Summer is a very busy time of ministry here in Tucson!  We are preparing to host our International Bible Conference in just a couple of weeks.  Then a few weeks, later in July, I coordinate our week of Vacation Bible School, which is always a highlight of the year for the children and families in our congregation.   I have come to the difficult realization that it is unrealistic for me to keep up with weekly blog posts, as well as dedicate the time needed to plan and prepare for these summer ministries.

I have decided to take a break from this blog for the next two months.  I know many of you are following my lesson plans on a weekly basis in your churches, and so I apologize for leaving you hanging.  Of course you are welcome still follow the lesson schedule that I have posted.  When I return to the blog in August, we will begin a series of lessons on Creation, which includes a lot of fun, hands-on, science activities.  

I also have an exciting new ministry announcement to make!  At the beginning of this year, my husband and I were asked to pioneer and oversee a new ministry for children in our congregation.  We now have a Wednesday night Bible Hour called Quest 119.  You can read more about it here.  Children are divided into grade level classes, for engaging Bible Study lessons.  After four weeks, we are already seeing the children grow in their desire to learn and know God's Word, which is incredibly exciting!

Currently, our team of teachers and I are developing the curriculum that we are teaching.  It is a unit of study called, "What's So Great About Your Bible?"  We plan to publish the curriculum, and make it available for you to purchase.  I will be sure to let you know here on the blog when it is available!

I hope you all have a blessed summer.  Thank you in advance for your prayers and support.  I will still be active on social media, so if you follow me there, you can catch some ideas and stay connected. Otherwise, Lord-willing, I look forward to connecting you all again here on the blog in August! :)
                                                       ~Susanna

OT Hero: Noah

The story of Noah's ark is probably the most iconic children's Bible story. With all the animals, and rainbow, it's especially appealing to illustrate.  I caution you though: don't reduce this catastrophic, historical event to a cute story about a floating zoo. Noah's story is one of radical faith, obedience, judgment, salvation and promise. Be sure to bring out these themes in your lesson. Otherwise Noah's Ark becomes a "fairy tale from Sunday School land," sowing seeds of doubt in the minds of children about the truth and authority of God's Word.

Bible Truth: Noah believes God's promises.
Bible Story: Noah obeyed God, and God kept His promise to Noah.
Bible Study: Genesis 6-9

teach

There are so many ways to tell the story of Noah's Ark.  Here are a few ideas:

• Read the story from a children's Bible, or tell the story with flannel graph visuals.  Have the kids interact by "sawing" and "hammering" to build the ark; identifying animals that they see in the pictures; making rain; rocking in the ark; and waving their hand above their head to make a rainbow.
• Use a box, like a shoe box, as an ark, with a door way cut out that can open and close  Act out the story with people and animal figurines.  Let each child put an animal into the ark.
• Use a larger box that the kids can get inside.  Let them take turns being Noah, and bring stuffed animals to fill the ark.

Regardless of the visuals you use tell the story, be sure to include these important details, which are often left out, or glossed over in children's version of the story.

• Noah loved God and obeyed God, but the rest of the people in the world did not love God. They disobeyed God.  They were fighting, hurting each other, stealing, and killing each other. God told Noah that He was going to destroy all of their wickedness.
• Noah built the ark exactly the way that God told him to build it.
• Noah warned people that God was going to destroy everything, and invited them to come onto the ark with him, but people just laughed at him and thought that he was crazy.
• Everyone and everything that did not get on the ark with Noah was drowned and destroyed.
• Noah and his family were saved because they obeyed God.  Raise your hand if you want to obey God like Noah!
• Remember that the Bible always refers to it as a ark, not as a boat. :)

Also, in any visuals that you use, try your best to convey an accurate representation of the ark.  Compare the two pictures below.  See how the cutesy floating zoo evokes outlandish fantasy, while the other helps children believe that this is an event that really did happen.

Does this look like anything that could hold hundreds of animals and survive a global flood? 
If we want our children to believe that God's Word is true we have to present it as accurate and true.

A picture like this is much more believable and more historically accurate.

sing & play

mr. noah & animal pairs

For this game you will need an animal matching type card game.  I've picked up a couple sets from Target's dollar section, but whatever you have on hand will do. Separate the cards into two sets of animals. Have the children sit down in a circle.  Distribute cards from one set to the children, and hold the other set yourself with the cards face down.  Sing "Mr. Noah Built an Ark" (see the lyrics below),  When you get to the animal naming part of the song, hold up a card from your set of cards to determine the animal.  Tell the children to hold up their card if they have the matching animal.  Give them your card to hold and make an animal pair, and continue singing the song.  You can also have the children stand up and do actions to imitate the animal.  Follow the link below to download the words and actions for the song.

Mr. Noah Built an Ark

craft

noah's ark collage

I like doing art and craft projects that encourage the children to be creative, which also gives me the opportunity to peek into their little brains, and makes the craft more personal.  This is a very simple craft, with literally no prep, that the kids in my class always love!  You will need:

• construction paper
• craft sticks
• animal stickers or stamps
• tissue paper squares in a variety of colors
• glue

I tell the children that I am going to give them wood to build an ark on their paper.  I distribute craft sticks, and have them layout their sticks to design their ark.  When they are finished designing, I put the glue on the sticks.  Then they turn over their sticks to glue them into place.  It is so interesting to see all the different designs that they are able to come up with.

After gluing down the craft sticks they can add animals to their picture, and then tissue paper squares as a rainbow.  This craft really is meant to be their own design, with a collage representation.  When doing this craft a couple years ago, one little boy commented, "I can't believe my teacher is letting me do this!"  He clearly enjoyed the freedom of creating his own piece of artwork.  Here are some samples of the finished product, from children who were all-smiles-proud of their work!

Theme 3 Scope & Sequence

Here are the next set of lessons that we will be teaching for the summer!  We are moving into lessons about the Old Testament heroes to discover how they were strong and courageous in their obedience to God. View the lessons below, and follow the link to download your own copy.  Happy Teaching :)

Theme 3 Scope & Sequence

A Cheerful Giver

Preschoolers have yet to learn the actual value of money, but they have already developed a pretty good sense of money's intrinsic value.  Many years ago when I was a teenage helper in Faith Roots (our church's preschool class),  Miss Cheryon was teaching the children about giving in the offering. Holding one of the offering containers, she explained that all the money put in this container goes to little boys and girls that don't know about Jesus yet.  With dollar signs in his eyes, one little boy raised his hand and said, "I don't know about Jesus yet."  Very clever little fella!  It was a priceless moment that gave us all a good laugh.

Young children can relate to the widow in this week's lesson because they usually do not have a very significant amount of money, but they can learn that Jesus is pleased when they give of whatever they do have.

Bible Truth: Jesus teaches me to be a cheerful giver.
Bible Story: The woman who gave two coins was a cheerful giver.
Bible Study: Mark 12:41-44: II Corinthians 9:7

 

teach

the sound of giving

I like to dramatize this story with two coin purses or wallets of some sort. To show the rich people who were giving their offering, I deposit a small handful of coins into an offering bowl or plate.  A metal one is nice, because the louder the noise the better.  I show the children that these people still had lots more money in their wallet.  From the other small coin purse, I pull two little coins, to show the widow's offering.  She had nothing else left.  She gave all that she had.

offering preschool style

In my class, we have two offering cans: one for church offering, and the other for world outreach. They are made out of plastic coffee containers with openings cut in the lid.  A picture of our church building is on one, and the other has a globe graphic.  The children give their offerings when they sign in, since it usually doesn't work well for them to hold on to them for too long.  When a child does bring an offering I encourage them to say, "Thank You Jesus," and then I'll pray, "Lord bless __________'s offering."  It's just a simple way of correlating offering to worship.  We use the money deposited in the church container to purchase things for the classroom.  I save the world outreach offering all year and add it to Children's Church's annual world evangelism conference offering.  The children choose in which container to put their offering, and it truly does go for the purpose that they choose.  We're not making big bucks here, but the children are learning to give with a cheerful heart, and honor God with their money.

As I explain how God uses our offering, I choose pictures from our church's evangelism publication "Gospel Pioneer" to show the children how God uses our world outreach money to start new church's and teach more children the good news about Jesus. You can view the online edition of the publication here.  I then point out that we come to church to learn the good news about Jesus, and explain that the money they put in the church offering is used to buy things like crayons, glue and books that help us teach them about Jesus.

big money

Years ago, as a little girl, an uncle gave me these huge, poster-sized money visuals.  At the time it was a bit of an odd gift, but I held onto them, and now they make a great object lesson.  The kids think they are just the coolest thing, and I talk about how God can take the little bit that we give, and use it to do bigger things.  I've seen packages of jumbo paper money at the dollar store that you could even send home with your students as a fun reminder of this week's lesson.

sing

the offering song

I wrote this song to help teach the kiddos about tithing.  I will show the children ten coins or dollar bills, and say, "If I have $10, then Jesus says that the first one belongs to Him."  I don't really go into the math of one-tenth.  The concept is there, but I emphasize that when God blesses you with money, the right thing to do is to obey and honor Him by first giving some of your money in the offering. Click here to download the lyrics as shown below.

craft

coloring sheet

Here is a coloring page of the widow giving her offering.  Provide plastic gold coins, or circle paper cut outs for the children to glue onto the page.

coin rubbing

This is a unique take on a coloring activity for this lesson.  When kids do it, it's more about the experience and process of discovery for them, rather than a beautiful finished masterpiece.  You will need:

• this activity page
• smiley stickers
• crayons
• coins

Give each child a coin.  Show them how to place the coin under their paper, and rub the crayon on their paper over the coin.  Continue moving the coin to different positions under the paper to fill the paper with coin rubbings.  Suggest turning the coin over to rub the other side, and trading coins with other children to add interest and variation.

my little money pouch

Children can use this little money pouch to keep their offering in to bring to church.  You will need:

• Foamie sheets 
• scissors
• stapler
• Velcro
• Foamie stickers

I purchased an assorted pack of 50 5.5" x 8.5" Foamie sheets from Walmart for $4.97, and a package of 80 sticky back Velcro rounds $6.77.  I won't use all of either of these items for this craft, so I will be able to add them to our craft collection to use in the future.

To prepare, cut 5.5" x 8.5" Foamie sheets in half.  Staple the sides together.  Be sure to leave a flap at the top to attach the Velcro.  In class, provide Foamie stickers for children to decorate and personalize their money pouches.

*Many of the suggested activities involve the use of coins.  Never leave the children unsupervised with coins, and do not allow children to put coins into their mouths, as coins may become a choking hazard.  These activities are not suggested for children under three years of age.

The Gospel is Good News: Home Ideas

The gospel is the good news about Jesus!  As you talk about sharing the gospel with others this week, you can also introduce your preschooler to simple map and geography concepts.

• Read stories in your child's Bible about the Apostles Paul and Peter as they spread the good news gospel of Jesus.   Pray together for your pastors and missionaries that you know who preach the gospel.

• Look at a map or globe together.  Find the city where you live, as well as the places where family, friends and missionaries you know may live.

• Watch this animated story of Paul's travels as he preaches the gospel.

• Find opportunities to share the love and good news of Jesus with people you and your little one encounter in your neighborhood, at the park, at the grocery store, etc.

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!