0b769b0ed3569ef9d18b …... · web viewi have hidden your word in my heart, that i might not sin...

Leader OverviewThis is the very first lesson for kids in the Listen curriculum. The kids will learn that the Bible is the best guide. Through the example of Jesus, kids will know they can find answers to life’s questions through the Scripture. They will discover that the Bible is filled with promises and truth for their lives.

Bible LessonThe Road to EmmausLuke 24:13–35

Faith FactThe Bible is my guide.

Faith VersePsalm 119:11 (NLT)I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Assemblies of God. (2020). Listen Kids. Springfield, MO: Assemblies of God. Page .

Preparing for the SessionLeader Preparation Time: 20–25 minutes

You Will NeedLarge Group

• Small cones (plastic cones, cones printed on a piece of paper, ice cream cones, etc.)• Optional: Small prize for each pair of kids playing• Map or phone (with GPS pulled up as an illustration)• Bible• Worship songs (Song suggestions: “Real Love” by Hillsong Young and Free; “This Is

Amazing Grace” by Phil Wickham; “Good Father” by Chris Tomlin)• For groups not using a phone or tablet only, add:

• Projector or TV• Laptop• Rules Video or Slide• Countdown30 Video–30 seconds• Faith Fact Slide• Faith Verse Video or Slide• Bible Lesson Video A• Bible Lesson Video B

Small Group Blindfolds, one per pair of kids Cups, one per pair of kids Small objects to put inside the cups (table tennis ball, paper clip, etc.), one per pair of

kids Bibles, one per kid and small group leader Small Group Faith Verse Review, one per group Small Group Activity Page, one per kid Crayons or markers

To download session videos, slides, and printables, visit: BibleEngagementProject.com/downloads

Getting ReadyLarge Group

• Prepare the game supplies.• Have a map or phone with GPS pulled up.

Small Group• Print the Small Group Faith Verse Review, one set per group• Print the Small Group Activity Page, one per kid

First time leading Listen for Kids? Check out the Facilitator Guide.


Large Group30 MinutesSee what’s needed at the beginning of the session.

IntroductionWelcome! Have you ever been on a trip? Maybe you took a plane, a train, or a really long car ride to get there. Maybe you’ve seen your parents look at a map, or you have listened to the voice on the phone say, “In three hundred feet turn right!” Or maybe when they missed the turn, you heard these words, “Rerouting. At the next intersection make a U-turn.” Whenever you’re taking a trip, one of the most important things is knowing how to get there.

What has been the most favorite place you’ve ever visited? Shout out your favorite place! (Group response)

Wow! Those are some super fun places! Did you know that you can get something better than a map or the phone’s voice to help you know where you’re going? In fact, you can hire someone to be your guide. Their job is to lead you on your trip. They will show you safe places to go or exciting things that may not be on a map. They are experts in wherever you are going.

Today we are going on a trip together to discover an amazing guide that God has given us! In fact, our Faith Fact today tells exactly what that is: The Bible is my guide. Can you say that with me on the count of three? 1, 2, 3. The Bible is my guide.

• Show the Faith Fact Slide.

Rules ReviewGreat job! Who wants to have fun on our journey today? (Group response) I want to have fun too! Before we get started, we need to make sure that we all know the rules.

• Play Rules Video.


GameHead, Shoulder, Knees, and Cone

You Will Need• Small cones (plastic cones, cones printed on a piece of paper, ice cream cones,

etc.)• Optional: Small prize for each pair/group of kids playing

No prep needed for this activity.

Today we’re going to play a game that requires you to follow along closely. In the middle of your group is a cone. When I say, “Head,” touch your head. If I say, “Shoulders,” touch your shoulders. Keep following along with whatever I say.

Pay very close attention because when I say, “Cone,” the first person to grab the cone gets a point! The person from each group with the most points at the end of the game is the winner. Are you all ready? (Group response)

• Have kids stand in a circle in groups of two to four.• Place a cone in the center of each circle.• Be creative with the actions that you give. You can vary how you say, “Cone,” loudly or

softly to show kids the importance of listening and following the guide.• For younger kids, stick to simpler things like head, shoulders, feet, etc. For older kids, add

in things like earlobes, kneecaps, the bottom of your feet, etc.• Add difficulty to the game by speeding up when you call the body parts.

That was awesome! You are practicing what it means to listen carefully to a guide.

Now it’s time to jump up and get ready to praise Jesus! Are you ready? Get on your feet. Here we go!


WorshipOne way we can worship God is by singing. Let’s try that now.

• Lead the kids in singing one or two praise songs. See suggestions at the beginning of the session.

Bible LessonHave you ever wondered what it was like to travel before there were maps and phones to help us along the way? (Hold up map or phone.) There have been a lot of times I’ve wondered that. Most of the time, it’s been when I’m lost.

Did you know there are a lot of different ways that you can feel lost? One way is not knowing which way to turn when you’re on a road. Another way is not knowing what to do when you have to make a hard decision.

I know one of the best places that we can look when we don’t know what do or where to go! Do you know what it is? (Group response) That’s right! It’s in God’s Word, also known as the Bible. (Hold up your Bible.) Before we get started in today’s Bible story, let’s take a moment to pray and invite God to be with us.

PrayerDear God, thank You for giving us the most perfect guide that tells us what to do and where to go. Help us to know You more as we learn from the Bible today. Amen.

Video IntroToday we’re going to find out about the amazing guide that God has given us, the Bible! But first, there are a couple of people you need to meet. Let’s check in with Dash and Austin!

• Play Bible Lesson Video A.

Wow! Would you like to accept that challenge? (Group response) That’s such a fun lead-in to our Bible story today!


Bible Story(Open the Bible to Luke 24.) Today, we are going to read from the Bible in the Book of Luke. Our Bible story is about a trip that Jesus took with some of His followers. Does anyone know where Luke is found? Turn to your neighbor and tell them if you do.

• Pause while kids share with their neighbors.

If you said the New Testament, then you’re right! The Book of Luke was written by a man named Luke. He was a doctor who became a follower of Jesus. Then he went with the apostle Paul on ministry trips to people who hadn’t heard about Jesus. He wrote the Book of Luke and the Book of Acts. He wanted others to know about everything Jesus did and taught while He was here and how that changed the world afterward.

Today’s Bible story takes place right after Jesus had risen from the dead. Some of His followers were walking. They were taking a trip from Jerusalem to a town called Emmaus. That’s about seven miles.

How would you like to walk everywhere you had to go? (Group response)

It takes a while to walk seven miles. So while they were walking, the men were talking about everything that had been happening. Then as they were talking, Jesus came up and walked with them.

Now, can you imagine if you were out on the playground one day, and poof—Jesus showed up? What would you do? Raise your hand when I describe what you would do.

Would you run up and hug Jesus? (Pause for response.)Would you stand there shocked? (Pause for response.)Would you invite Him to play whatever game you were playing? (Pause for response.)

Those are all reactions we might have if Jesus showed up. But something different happened in our Bible story. Even though Jesus was right there with His friends, they were kept from recognizing who Jesus was.

Jesus just walked and talked with them. Then He began to ask them some questions.• Read Luke 24:17–18.

They couldn’t believe that Jesus didn’t know what had just taken place. As they kept walking, Jesus’ friends began to fill Him in on what had happened during the past three days. They told Jesus about the powerful miracles that had happened, about how great a teacher Jesus was. Then they told Him how the religious leaders didn’t like what Jesus was doing, so they handed Jesus over to be crucified, to die.

Sadness filled their eyes when Jesus asked what had happened. Can you imagine what it was like to be telling Jesus about all these things and not even knowing it was Him?

But then, they told Jesus the good news. They shared how some of the women who had followed Jesus went to His tomb. An angel met them to tell them that Jesus was alive! The


women went to tell Jesus’ disciples and then some of the men went to check. It was true! Jesus was alive. He was not in the grave anymore!

It was at that moment, that I can almost picture Jesus shaking His head and telling them … .• Read Luke 24:25–27.

Can you believe that? I’m sure when all of this had happened to Jesus, the two men had lots of questions! They probably were confused about why these things had happened. But Jesus gave them some pretty awesome answers to all their questions. Jesus showed them that the answers were in the Scriptures. As they continued their walk to Emmaus, Jesus showed them how the Scriptures pointed to Him.

Do you think they knew Jesus was with them? (Group response)

No, they still didn’t know that it was Jesus talking to them. When they finally made it to Emmaus, Jesus said He needed to keep going.

Think and Shout

What do you think His friends did? I’m going to start the timer. When it ends, I want to shout out what you think happened next.

• Play Countdown30 Video–30 seconds.

What do you think happened?

The friends begged Jesus to stay! After all, they had been walking together all day and now it was getting dark. So Jesus went home with them. Then as they sat down at dinner, Jesus did something that I’m sure a lot of you do too. He prayed a blessing for the food.

And guess what! Instantly their eyes were open. They realized that it was Jesus they had been walking with the entire time. But as soon as they realized it was Jesus, He was gone.

They turned to each other and said this.• Read Luke 24:32.

They remembered how their hearts burned as Jesus took them through the Scriptures!. Think about how you feel after you get to do something really special. Have you felt that excitement inside you when you remember it? When that happens to me, I can’t wait to tell someone about it!


Jesus’ friends couldn’t wait either. The Bible tells us that they immediately went back to Jerusalem to tell the others that Jesus had really risen! That day on their trip to Emmaus, they thought they were just going to a different town. Instead Jesus showed them how the Bible answered their questions about Him. That’s what our Faith Fact tells us. Say it with me: The Bible is my guide.


Teaching TimeYou see, when we go on a trip, we can use a map or we can use our phones. (Hold up a phone or a map.) But there’s always a chance that we might put in the wrong address or run into traffic. The only sure way to get to where you are going is to have a professional guide. You ask someone who knows what to expect and exactly where to take you.

God knew that we would have questions as we grow up, and as we go through our everyday lives. God wanted to make sure that we would have the answers, that we would have a guide to keep us on the road to where He wants us to be.

Faith VerseThat’s why our Faith Verse is so important. It reminds us to know God’s Word, the Bible, so we can stay close to God. Let’s learn the actions together.

• Play Faith Verse Video.

Psalm 119:11 (NLT)I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

The greatest thing about knowing God’s Word is that it not only keeps us from doing wrong things, but it also shows us exactly how we can live for God. It teaches us the way He loves us,


so that we can show others His love and teach them to follow the Bible. The Bible is my guide, and it can be yours too!

Prayer and ResponseConsider playing a worship song softly in the background while kids pray.

Today we’ve been learning about how much God loves us. He loves us so much that He gave us the Bible to be our guide. During this time of prayer and worship, it is our chance to tell God how much we love Him. Everyone, let’s all close our eyes. (Group response)

Let’s focus on God. Think about how much He loves each one of us. He sent Jesus to live, to die, and to be raised from the dead just for us. God inspired people thousands of years ago to write all about this in the Bible just so you and I wouldn’t have to guess how to live for Him. We don’t have to wonder about how much He loves us or how much He cares about us. God had them write down the words, so that we could read them over and over again. He did that for you.

We’re going to pray. I want you to talk to God and thank Him for the gift of His Word, the Bible. Then tell him how much you love Him.

• Give kids time to pray. Then introduce the worship song. This could play in the background while kids pray or could be a worship song to sing together.

Worship SongPlay one or two worship songs.

Video Wrap-UpBefore we go to our small group activities, let’s see how Dash and Austin’s challenge worked out.

• Play Bible Lesson Video B.

Let’s all accept the challenge that Dash gave us! Let’s find a time to read the Bible on our own this week. After all, the Bible can only be our guide if we read it! Thanks for a great time learning about God together.


• Dismiss kids to Small Group time or to go home if your group time ends here.

Small Group


30 MinutesThis section can be done in conjunction with the large group, or on its own if you do small groups with your kids. During Small Group time, the goal is to connect the kids with the Word of God and to each other. All activities are led by the small group leader.

Group ConnectionBlindfolded Follow the Leader

You Will Need• Blindfolds, one per pair of kids• Cups, one per pair of kids• Small objects to put inside the cups (table tennis ball, paper clips, etc.), one per

pair of kids


God created the Bible to be our guide to help us follow Him. A guide is only good if you listen and follow their lead. As a small group, we are going to discover who is the best at listening and following a guide.

• Divide the group into pairs. Assign one kid to be the guide and one to be the follower.

You’ll compete in pairs. The follower will have a blindfold placed over their eyes, and the small object placed inside their fist. It will be the guide’s job to safely lead your partner across the room (or space) to your cup on the other side. Once there, the follower will place the object in the cup.

You are not allowed to touch your partner. You can only lead them by your voice as you give directions. You’ll each have a chance to try and make it across the room. The pair that can do this the quickest and safest will win!

• Allow kids to play the game.• Have kids switch roles and play again.• Ask the following questions.

Was it easier for you to be the guide or the follower?

How is this like us when we follow God?


Bible Lesson RecapYou Will Need

• Bible, one per kid


Bible Story Review: Luke 24:13–34

Everything would be a lot easier if we always had the answers before we even had questions. Today’s Bible story was all about some men who didn’t realize they had the answers all along. They missed the fact that they had a guide, the Scriptures, with them. Their guide could have helped them see that Jesus was alive a lot sooner than they did!

Let’s look at Luke 24.• Divide the Bible reading into smaller chunks for volunteers to read aloud if needed.• To divide this up by their encounter with Jesus use:

Jesus appears and asks questions. (Luke 24:13–18)They tell Jesus about the things that had happened. (Luke 24:19–24)Jesus explains what took place. (Luke 24:25–27)Jesus stays a while. (Luke 24:28–30)Their eyes are opened. (Luke 24:32–34)

Faith Fact

Our reading about this journey the men were on with Jesus reminds me of today’s Faith Fact. Say it with me: The Bible is my guide.



Group DiscussionFeel free to use all or just a few questions as a jumping-off place for good discussion. Questions marked with * are designed for more conversation. Adjust the questions based on the age or maturity of your group. Typically, older kids will be able to dive a little deeper than younger ones.

* What questions would you ask Jesus if He appeared suddenly to you?

In our story today, once the men realized that Jesus was there, they went to tell others the good news. What is a way that you can tell others about God’s love?

In the Bible story, Jesus reminded His followers that the Scripture told everyone what was going to happen. Why is it important to know that the Bible is your guide?

Have you ever tried to memorize Scripture? Was it easy or hard? How did you feel when you learned a verse?

* What is your favorite story from the Bible?

Application and ResponseThe Bible tells us that God’s Word is “a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105). Normally we only use lamps or lights when we have a hard time seeing. They make things brighter and clearer. A light keeps us safe, so we don’t stub our toe in the dark or trip over something and fall.

The same thing is true with God’s Word. As we read the Bible, it will light up areas in our life that may try to hurt us. It will make it easier to know how to follow Jesus. When we decide that the Bible is my guide, and choose to follow what it says, we will grow closer to God.

How many of you want to grow closer to God? (Group response) I do! If you do too, say our Faith Fact with me: The Bible is my guide.


Make It a Habit


Select a simple visual reminder of the session’s Faith Fact.

We need to make it a habit to remember what we’ve learned about God today. Let’s think like a guide! Let’s come up with a way that we can remember how the Bible is a guide for us.

For example, I could think about how the Bible is my guide every time I see a crosswalk this week.

What should we use to remember? (Allow time for kids to respond.)• Make notes of what the kids share.

PrayerThank God for giving us the Bible. Then pray for each person in your group to follow the guide that He has given us.

Faith Verse Review

You Will Need• Small Group Faith Verse Review, one set per group

Getting Ready• Print the Small Group Faith Verse Review, one set per group.

Our Faith Verse for today is Psalm 119:11. It talks about hiding God’s Word in our heart. When we know God’s Word, He can bring a verse or Bible story to our mind just when we need it. Let’s check out the Faith Verse Slide now.

Psalm 119:11 (NLT)I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

• Show the Faith Verse Slide.


Practice the Faith Verse

Let’s lock this verse in our hearts and minds, so that we always remember it! Let’s do the actions for the verse together.

Faith Verse FunVerse Scramble

Now let’s play a game. Today, we’re going to see how quickly you can put the words of the entire verse in order.

• Scramble the Small Group Faith Verse Review cards so they are no longer in the correct order of the verse.

• Have kids, pairs of kids, or teams compete to see who can put the verse in the correct order the fastest.

• Read the verse to practice it each time the verse is put together.

You’ve done a great job of saying this verse together. Let’s think about what this verse means too.

What is one way that you can hide God’s Word in your heart?

Create ActivityGuide to My Bible Time

You Will Need• Small Group Activity Page• Crayons or markers

Getting Ready• Make copies of the Small Group Activity Page, one per kid.

Today’s Faith Fact is: The Bible is my guide. Say it with me. (Pause for kids to repeat.)

One of the greatest ways that we can learn what the Bible says is to create a place where we know we will read it. Now is your chance to be the map maker. Create a map that will guide you to the place in your house where you are going to read your Bible every day. It could be in your room or maybe on the couch. Wherever you choose, make sure you draw the way to get there. Don’t just draw the room where it is. Start at the front door and lead us to the place where you will read your Bible.

• Give kids time to complete this activity.• Talk with them about where they will read their Bible as they draw.


Faith Fact Recap• Display the Faith Fact Slide as parents are coming into the room.• Maximize the time you have with your kids, so that parents see what their kids have

learned. Have the kids repeat the Faith Fact, and then dismiss them to their parents.

The one thing I want you to remember from today is our Faith Fact. Say it with me. The Bible is my guide.


Dismissal• Send home the Small Group Activity Page.• Remind parents that there are Family Devotions available on the app to do with their

kid.• Tell everyone the date and time for the next session.


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