ackids teaching materials theme: the books of the bible · when needed. they could also be used for...

MemoryVersePsalm119:105Yourwordisalamptomyfeetandalightformypath.

Thisseriesof10sessionsisaimedathelpingchildrentounderstandmoreaboutTheBible.ItwillbeginwithanoverviewofhowtheBibleisdividedintosectionsandalittlebitofthehistory.Itwillfinishwithareviewandquiz.The8weeksinbetweenwillbespenthelpingchildrentoexploreeachofthesections:whatthebookshaveincommon,whyyoumightwanttolookthere,whotheywerewrittenby,howlongagotheywerewrittenetc

Thesesessionsare‘handson’sothatchildrenareusingBiblestofindtherightchapterandverse.TheGoodNewsorNIRVBiblesaregoodforthis.ChildrencouldbeencouragedtobringtheirownBibleaswell.

ThememoryverseshouldberecalledeachweekemphasisingtheimportanceofreadingtheBible:thatGodrevealshimselftousthroughtheBible,thatitprovidesuswithguidanceandthatitgivesusanswerstomanyoflife’sbigquestions.

Eachsessionhasastoryfocuswhichwillmakeiteasiertoplanforyoungerchildren.Thesessionplannercanchangethisiftheywish.Theolderchildrenshouldbeabletospendmoretimediscussing,finding,sortingandrecallingwhiletheneedforastorytofocusoncanbeimportantfortheyoungerchildren.

Atthebeginningorendofasessionyoucouldaskthechildrentorecallprevioussessionsorthebookscoveredsofar.Ifthegroupnatureandcharactersallowforit,youcouldchallengesometomemorise,makeitcompetitive,seehowfararoundthecircletheycangetlistingBiblebooksetc.Thiswillhelpthechildrentounderstandtheflowofsessions(andmayhelpifyouarewaitingforparents).

Thesearesomegeneralactivitiesthatcouldbemadeinweek1andusedinthefollowingweeksasextragameswhenneeded.TheycouldalsobeusedfortheReviewinweek10.• OrderingCardswithBiblenames• JengaBlockswithbooksoftheBiblewritten/sellotapedonthem• PaperplatesteppingstoneswithbooksoftheBiblewrittenonthem(colouredcodedaccordingtotheirsections)• PegswithbooksoftheBibletohangonawashingline

ACKids Teaching Materials Theme: The Books of the Bible

Overview

1

The Bible

Battlinggiants,fishingformen–theBibleisabookpackedwithexcitingstoriesandadventures.But:Whowroteit?Isittrue?Whyisitimportant?Howdoyoureadit?TheBibleislikeatreasurehunt.Wecanuseittosearchforcluestoanswerquestionsaboutlife.AswereadtheBible,Godshowshimselftousandwedevelopafriendshipwiththeawesomecreatoroftheuniverse.

2

Books of Moses

GodcreatedtheworldwithaplanforustolivewithHim.WhenMosesledGod’speopleoutofEgypttheywereanewnationthatneededdirectionandrules.Thesebooksshowthebeginningsoftheworldandourearlyhistory.Itwasimportantthatpeoplewererecordedandruleswrittenfororderandsafety.

3

Books of History

AsthetribeofIsraelgrewinnumberstheyneededstrongleaders.GodraisedupJudgestoleadthepeople.AstimewentonthepeoplewantedaKingtoleadthemsothattheycouldbelikethenationsaroundthem.WeseethatIsraelrepeatedlydriftedawayfromGodandthenreturnedtoHim.WealsoseethattheAlmightyGodisslowtoangerandrichinlove!

4

Poetry &

Wisdom

GodcreatedusinHisimageandwhenweworshiphimwithsingingorpoetrywefeelpeaceandjoy.Whenwehavefeelingsoffear,worryorangerwecanexpressthesetoGod;HewantsustodrawclosetoHimthroughdifficulties.Thesebooksexpressthoughtsandfeelings.Theyalsogiveuswisesayingsaboutlife,friends,money,marriage,work,prettymucheverything!

5

Prophets

GodusedmenandwomentobringimportantmessagestoHispeople.TheywouldencouragepeoplewhowerefollowingGodandremindthemofHispromises.TheprophetswouldalsowarnpeopleaboutGod’sjudgementforwrongactions.Themajorprophetswerenotmoreimportantthantheminorprophets,theyaresimplylongerbooks!

6

Gospels

Thesebookswerewrittenby4peopleshortlyafterJesushadreturnedtoheaven.TheytellsomeoftheamazingmiraclesthatHedid,thestoriesthatHetold,howheledaperfectlifeandrosefromthedead.ButmostimportantlytheyshowusthatJesusistheSonofGodandthatthroughafriendshipwithHimwedon’thavetoshareAdam’spunishmentanylonger.Wearefree–nolongerseparatedfromtheawesomecreatoroftheuniverse!

7

Church History

Witharushofwindthroughtheroom,theHolySpiritthatJesushadpromisedcametothedisciples.ThefriendsofJesusweregivenpowerandcouragetospreadthegoodnewsthroughJerusalem,thenJudeaandthentheentireworld.Thechurchhadbegunandtheword‘Christian’begantobeused.Thisbooktellstheamazingeventsthattookplacefortheearlychurch!

8

Letters

TheHolySpiritgavethefollowersofJesusboldness.Christianityspreadatsuchanincredibleratethatchurcheswerebeingsetupinhousesfarandwide.LetterswerewrittenandpassedaroundtopeopleandchurchestomakesurethatnewfollowersunderstoodfullywhatJesushaddoneandhowtheirlivesshouldchange.Paulwrotemostofthelettersbutthereareotherauthorstoo.

9

Prophecy

GodplannedforustolivewithHimandinthisbookweseehowallthingswillworktogether.Weseethatnomatterhowbadtheworldmayseem,intheendJesuswins!GodwillcreateanewheavenandanewearthandHeinvitesusalltojoinhim.ThisbookiswrittenbythediscipleJohnafterhereceivedavision–somepartsareconfusingandevenscarybutGodwillbevictorious!

10

Bible

Review

WehaveseenhowGodcreatedtheworldwithaplaninmind.Hebroughthispeopletogetherandguidedtheminthewaytolive.Whenthetimewasright,Jesuscametoearth,madetheultimatesacrifice,rosefromthegraveandwillreturnagain!Godinspiredmenandwomenoverhundredsofyearstokeeprecords.ThesehavebeenputtogetherinTheBible.Thisamazingbookisforustoread,explore,learnandlive.Howexciting!!!

Week 1

The Bible [66 books]

OldTestament:39booksBooksofMoses,History,Poetry&Wisdom,TheProphetsNewTestament:27booksGospels,ChurchHistory,Letters,ProphecyThereisagapofabout450yearsbetweentheOTandNT.

Introduction

Battlinggiants,survivingafieryfurnace,fishingformen–theBibleisabookpackedwithexcitingstoriesandadventures.But:Whowroteit?Isittrue?Whyisitimportant?Howdoyoureadit?TheBibleislikeatreasurehunt.Wecanuseittosearchforcluestoanswerquestionsaboutlife.AswereadtheBible,Godshowshimselftousandwedevelopafriendshipwiththeawesomecreatoroftheuniverse.

BookScavenger WritethebooksoftheBibleonpaperplates–OTandNTindifferentcolours.Askthechildrentocollecttheplatesandputtheminseparategroups.HaveanOTandNTteam.Giveeachteamadditionalheadings:Gospels,Prophecy...andseeiftheycanseparatethemout.Oncethebooksareincorrectgroupingstheycandecorate.Ifsectionsaredecoratedinasimilarwayitwillmakefuturegroupingseasier.

Post-itPost Haveanareaoftheroomforchildrentoputpost-itnoteswithquestionsonabouttheBible,Christianity,Church,Godetc.Explainthatoverthenextfewweekswewilltrytoanswerasmanyoftheseaspossible.

Story Focus

Psalm 119: 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Pickandchoosefromtheseactivitiesorfeelfreetofindothers.Notallactivitieswillbesuitableforallagegroups.Somearemoresuitedforusewiththewholegroupandsomearebetterforsmallgroups.Discussion

2 Timothy 3:16-17 1. Where does all Scripture come from? (From God.) 2. What is Scripture good for? (Teaching, rebuking, correcting, training and equipping.)

2 Peter 1:20-21 1. Does Scripture come from the will of man? (No, from the Will of God.) 2. Who "inspired" or "carried" men to write the Bible? (The Holy Spirit.)

Psalm 12:6 1. Does the Bible contain any mistakes? (No, it is flawless.) 2. What does "pure" gold or silver mean? (Without any impurities.)

Psalm 119:160 1. How can you respond to someone who says the Bible isn't true? (All of God's words are true, so the Bible is also true because it is the Word of God.) 2. Does God ever need to come up with new rules or laws? (No, His laws are eternal.)

1 Corinthians 2:14 1. Why is it difficult for some people to understand the Bible? (Because they do not have the Holy Spirit to guide them.) 2. How does God reveal the Bible to us? (By the Holy Spirit.)

JellyTelly Sing-alongBibleepisodeSUTimeline IntroducetheTimeline-talkaboutBC&AD.Askthechildrentoputthepanelsinorder,

identify/findaspectspeople,talkaboutparticularpictures.Bible GiveBiblesouttothechildren.Findthecontentspage,lookatabook,achapter,averse.

TalkaboutconventionandhowtoreaditegGenesis1:1-3CraftActivity

Aquickgooglesearchfor:‘BooksoftheBible’or‘Psalm119:105’SundaySchoolActivityorCraftorWordsearchorColouringpagewillgiveavarietyofadditionalideasyoumaywishtouse.

What’s the

memory verse?

Psalm119:105Yourwordisalamptomyfeetandalightformypath.

Week 2

Books of Moses [5 books]

Genesis,Exodus,Leviticus,Numbers,DeuteronomyThesebooksarealsoknownasthePentateuch.Mosesistheauthoraround1500BC.

Introduction

GodcreatedtheworldwithaplanforustolivewithHim.WhenMosesledGod’speopleoutofEgypttheywereanewnationthatneededdirectionandrules.Thesebooksshowthebeginningsoftheworldandourearlyhistory.Itwasimportantthatpeoplewererecordedandruleswrittenfororderandsafety.

ThePentateuch • Usethe5paperplatesteppingstonestogetfromonepointtoanother.Eachplatehasthenameofabookandtheymustbeputinthecorrectorderbeforecrossing.

• Usethepaperplatesandasksomeonetoputtheminthecorrectorder.Ifappropriateyoucouldtimethemorhave2setsandmakeitcompetitive.

Story Focus

Creation Genesis Ch 1

Pickandchoosefromtheseactivitiesorfeelfreetofindothers.Notallactivitieswillbesuitableforallagegroups.Somearemoresuitedforusewiththewholegroupandsomearebetterforsmallgroups.Discussion

Thisisagreatopportunitytohelpchildrenunderstandthe‘argument’forGodandcreationratherthanotherpopulartheories.Herearesomeideastoprovokeconversation.• Humanshaveaconscience,anunderstandingofright/wrongandafeelingofloveand

compassionforothers.WearemadeinHisimage.• Scientiststellusthattheuniverseisnever-ending.Thisisdifficulttoimaginebutwe

acceptit.Godisalsobeyondourunderstanding.• Regularlyweseethataccidentsproducechaos.Ourworldandnatureiscreatedwith

suchintricatedetailandorder.• Ourplanetistheonlyonethatisnottoohotandnottoocoldforhumans.Itisthe

perfectdistancefromtheSun:wehaveatemprangefromthepolarcapstotheequator.Itistiltedataperfectangle:theseasonsgivenaturearhythm;enoughsuntobloominthesummer.Itisgood!

• Whenweseethemagnificenceandbeautyofcreation,itreflectsGod’sglory.• Recentlyonthenews,scientistsaidthatperhapstheuniversedidnotstartwithaBig

Bang.Thisisonlyatheoryandmanyscientistsdonotbelieveit.• Scientistsrecentlylandedonacomet.Theyhadthoughtthatwaterappearedonearthas

aresultofbeinghitbyacomet.Whentheyexaminedthecomettheyrealisedtheywerewrong.Nowtheyaretryingtofindanotherexplanationforhowwatergotontheearth.Scientistscanbewrong!

Bible GiveBiblesouttothechildrenandhelpthemfindGenesisChapter1.Readthoughthestoryofcreation.Pausetoaskchildreniftheycanrememberwhathappensnextorforthemtosaythenextwordorphrase.

Whatcomesnext?

ThePentateuchcontainsmanywell-knownstoriesbutdoweknowwhatordertheycomein?Creation,TowerofBabel,Noah’sArk,AbrahamandIsaac,Josephandhiscoat,MosesintheBasket,The10commandments.Puttheseoncardandaskchildrentosortthem–theyareinthecorrectorderabove!

SUTimeLine UsePage1todiscusswhatthedifferentimagesshow(youngerchildren)JellyTelly SingthroughtheBible:Pentateuch[episode8]4sides Havetheroomsetupwithalabeloneachwall:sun,moon,stars,planets.Leadersaysaword

andchildrenmovetotheappropriatepartoftheroom.AlphabetGame Writedownthelettersofthealphabetonapieceofpaper.Askthechildrentothinkof

somethingthatGodcreatedforeachone.ForayoungergroupyoucouldwriteoutthealphabetandaskthemtosimplysaythingsthatGodcreatedforeachletter.

Anagrams Prepareforthisactivitybywritingthefollowinganagramsofplanetandmoonnamesonpaper:Arunts(Saturn6);Rams(Mars4);Oi(Io5);Ruptije(Jupiter5);Creymur(Mercury1);Otlup(Pluto9);Nomo(Moon3);Terah(Earth3);Tupneen(Neptune8);Aroupe(Europa5);

Sevun(Venus2);Narusu(Uranus7).(Theanswerandorderfromthesunareinbrackets.)GivethechildrentimetododecodeasmanyaspossibleandtalkabouthowfarGod’screationgoes.

CraftActivity

What’s the memory verse?

Psalm119:105Yourwordisalamptomyfeetandalightformypath.

Aquickgooglesearchfor:CreationSundaySchoolActivityorCraftorWordsearchorColouringpagewillgiveavarietyofideasyoumaywishtouse.E.g.

Week 3

History Books

[12 books]

Joshua,Judges,Ruth,1Samuel,2Samuel,1Kings,2Kings,1Chronicles,2Chronicles,Ezra,Nehemiah,EstherWrittenbyvariousauthorscoveringapproximately1400BC–400BC

Introduction

AsthetribeofIsraelgrewinnumberstheyneededstrongleaders.GodraisedupJudgestoleadthepeople.AstimewentonthepeoplewantedaKingtoleadthemsothattheycouldbelikethenationsaroundthem.SaulbecamethefirstKingofIsrael.Thesefascinatingbooksrecordtheeventsthattookplace.WeseethatIsraelrepeatedlydriftedawayfromGodandthenreturnedtoHim.WealsoseethattheAlmightyGodisslowtoangerandrichinlove!

JengaGiants

• UsetheJengablockstostackthebooksinthecorrectorder.• Ifappropriateyoucouldtimethemorhave2setsandmakeitcompetitive.

Story Focus

David is chosen as King 1 Samuel ch16

Pickandchoosefromtheseactivitiesorfeelfreetofindothers.Notallactivitieswillbesuitableforallagegroups.Somearemoresuitedforusewiththewholegroupandsomearebetterforsmallgroups.Discussion

• Davidwasthe2ndking(Saul’ssuccessor).Whatmakesagoodleader?• WhatotherBiblestoriesdoweknowaboutDavid?• WhatskillsdidDavidlearnasachildthatwouldhelphimasanadult/king?• Whatskillsandtalentsdowehave?RememberthatweshouldthankGodforour

strengthsandaskHimtousethem.Bible GiveBiblesouttothechildrenandhelpthemfind1SamuelCh16.Readthroughverses1-12

talkingaboutittogether.Focusonv7–whatdoesthismean?Who’sWho Havepicturesof:Joshua,Ruth,Samuel,Ezra,Nehemiah,Esther.Writeacoupleoffactsabout

eachoneandseeifthechildrencanmatchthemcorrectly.Alsotalkaboutthewords:Judges,Chronicles,Kingstohelpthemunderstandwhythebookshavetheirtitles.

JellyTelly SingthroughTheBibleepisodeSUTimeline Layoutthetimelinepanels–canthechildrenfindtherelevanttwo?Whatarethemain

storiesbeingillustrated?Lookatthecharactersalongthebottom.Askthechildren(perhapsinpairs/smallgroups)totalkaboutthestoriesthattheyrecognise.Alternativelyyoucouldasktheolderchildrentowriteasentencesummaryforeachcharacter(thereferencesaregiven).

CraftActivity

Aquickgooglesearchfor:DavidchosenasKingActivityorCraftorWordsearchorColouringpagewillgiveavarietyofideasyoumaywishtouse.

What’s the memory verse?

Psalm119:105Yourwordisalamptomyfeetandalightformypath.

Week 4

Poetry & Wisdom [5 books]

Job,Psalms,Proverbs,Ecclesiastes,SongofSolomonWrittenbyvariousauthorscoveringapproximately1400BC–400BC

Introduction

GodcreatedusinHisimageandwhenweworshiphimwithsingingorpoetrywefeelpeaceandjoy.Whenwehaveotherfeelingsoffear,worryorangerwecanstillexpressthistoGod–HewantsustodrawclosetoHimthroughdifficulties.Thesebooksexpressthoughtsandfeelingsforeverysituation.Theyalsogiveuswisesayingsaboutlife,friends,money,marriage,work,prettymucheverything!

PaperPlates • Usepaperplatesteppingstonestogetfromonepointtoanother.Eachplatehasthenameofabookandtheymustbeputinthecorrectorderbeforecrossing.

• Usethepaperplatesandasksomeonetoputtheminthecorrectorder.Ifappropriateyoucouldtimethemorhave2setsandmakeitcompetitive.

Story Focus

I am wonderfully made! Psalm 139: 1-16 or 13-16

Pickandchoosefromtheseactivitiesorfeelfreetofindothers.Notallactivitieswillbesuitableforallagegroups.Somearemoresuitedforusewiththewholegroupandsomearebetterforsmallgroups.ProverbSearch

Writeoutsomerelevantorfavouriteproverbsonpiecesofpaperandplacethemaroundtheroom.Whenthechildrenhavecollectedthemtheycould:readthemout,decoratethem,getinto2sor3sanddoa‘freezeframe’or‘minisketch’fortheverse.

Bible GiveBiblesouttothechildrenandhelpthemfindPsalms.ShowthemthatiftheyopenaBibleinthemiddle,itwillprobablybeonPsalms.Askthemquestionssuchas:howmanyPsalmsarethere;howlongisPsalm119.

Discussion Putthefollowingreferencesonpost-itnotes.AskthemhowthewriterwasfeelingindifferentPsalms:Ps8v1,Ps9v1,Ps10v1,Ps19v1,Ps40v1-2,Ps139v13-16

AWiseSurprise ProverbsisfullofbluntadvicethatchildrenmaybesurprisedtoseeintheBible.Writesomeversesonpiecesofpaperwithakeywordorphrasemissing.Placethepaperinahatandpassitaround(possiblytomusic).Whenthepaperispulledoutthechildrencanguessandtalkaboutwhatitshouldsay.EgProv10:4Being*willmakeyoupoor,but**willmakeyourich.Prov17:22Being*keepsyouhealthy.

JellyTelly SingthroughTheBibleepisodeInstruments Haveamusicsession!GingerbreadMe

HavetheoutlineofagingerbreadmanonasheetofA4paper.Giveoneouttoeachchild.Askthemtolabelitwithsomeoftheirdetails:name,birthday,age,haircolour,primaryschooletc.TalkabouthowGodknowseverythingaboutthemandlovesthem.

Acrostic UsethelettersinthewordPSALMStowriteanacrostic.ItcouldbetodescribeGod,howthechildrenfeelaboutsomethingorasaprayer.

CraftActivity

Aquickgooglesearchfor:Psalm139ActivityorCraftorWordsearchorColouringpagewillgiveavarietyofideasyoumaywishtouse.

What’s the memory verse?

Psalm119:105Yourwordisalamptomyfeetandalightformypath.

Week 5

Prophets

[17 books]

MajorProphets:Isaiah,Jeremiah,Lamentations,Ezekial,DanielMinorProphets:Hosea,Joel,Amos,Obadiah,Jonah,Micah,Nahum,Habakkuk,Zephaniah,Haggai,Zechariah,MalachiWrittenbyvariousauthorscoveringapproximately1400BC–400BC

Introduction

GodusedmenandwomentobringimportantmessagestoHispeople.TheywouldencouragepeoplewhowerefollowingGodandremindthemofHispromises.TheprophetswouldalsowarnpeopleaboutGod’sjudgementforwrongactions.Themajorprophetswerenotmoreimportantthantheminorprophets,theyaresimplylongerbooks.

JengaGiants

• UsetheJengablockstostackthebooksinthecorrectorder.• Ifappropriateyoucouldtimethemorhave2setsandmakeitcompetitive.

Story Focus

Hate what is evil. Love what is good. Amos Ch5

Pickandchoosefromtheseactivitiesorfeelfreetofindothers.Notallactivitieswillbesuitableforallagegroups.Somearemoresuitedforusewiththewholegroupandsomearebetterforsmallgroups.Discussion

• Howdowegetmessagestoourfriends?Whatdidourparentsdowhentheywerelittle?Whataboutourgrandparents?Whatotherunusualwaysofdeliveringmessageshavetherebeen?Egpigeon!

• DoyouthinkthatGodeverwantstospeaktojustyou?Howdoyouknowwhatheissaying?WeneedtoprayandtalkwithGod,readtheBibleandaskquestionstootherChristians.Godwilluseourquiettime,readingtimeandconversationstospeaktous.

Bible GiveBiblesouttothechildrenandhelpthemtofindthecontentspageandthenthebookofAmos.ManywillneverhaveheardofAmosbuthehadanimportantjob.GodsawrichpeopleinIsraelbeingunfairandunkindtopoorpeople.Godwantedthemtoknowthattheirsinswouldbepunishedbutthattherewasawayout!LookupCh5v14tofindoutwhattheyhadtodo.

JellyTelly Sing-alongBibleepisodeSkittles Splitthechildreninto2teams.Askthemtodrawafaceandwritethenamesoftheprophets

onto12paper/foamcups.Give6toeachteamandaskthemtoarrangetheminatriangle(leavingenoughspaceinbetween).Giveeachteamasmallballtoknocktheskittlesdown.Astheskittlesgetknockeddown,recallthenamessothattheybecomefamiliar.

SUtimeline Canthechildrenfindtherelevant2panels?Whatisthedifferencebetweenthe‘punishes’and‘restores’panel.ExplainthatGodisslowtoangerandrichinlove.GodusedprophetstowarnHispeoplethattheirwrongactionswouldleadtopunishment.GodalsogavethempromisesofgoodnessiftheyturnedfromtheirwaysandfollowedHimagain.Whatdoyouthinktheydid?Theyreturnedforawhile.

Anagrams Take10oftheProphetsandmuddleuptheletters.GiveoutBiblesandaskthechildrentofindthecontentspage.Usingthecontentslist,cantheyworkouttheanagrams?Cantheymakeupanagramsforthoseremaining?

CraftActivity

Aquickgooglesearchfor:LoveWhatisGoodSundaySchoolActivityorCraftorWordsearchorColouringpagewillgiveavarietyofideasyoumaywishtouse.

What’s the memory verse?

Psalm119:105Yourwordisalamptomyfeetandalightformypath.

Week 6

Gospels [4 books]

Matthew,Mark,Luke,John

Introduction

Jesuslefthisplaceinheaventocometoearthasababy.Hehadbrothersandsisters,regularlywenttothetempleandlearnthowtobeacarpenter.ButJesusknewhewasonamissionthatwouldbeimpossibleforanyoneelsetoachieve.Thesebookswerewrittenby4peopleshortlyafterJesushadreturnedtoheaven.TheytellsomeoftheamazingmiraclesthatHedid,thestoriesthatHetold,howheledaperfectlifeandrosefromthedead.ButmostimportantlytheyshowusthatJesusistheSonofGodandthatthroughafriendshipwithHimwedon’thavetoshareAdam’spunishmentanylonger.Wearefree–nolongerseparatedfromtheawesomecreatoroftheuniverse!

Didyoujustseethat?

• Beforethesession,askanadulttowalkintoSundaySchoolandinterruptyoubytouchingyourshoulderwhilstyou’retalkingtothegroup.Theyshouldspendlessthanaminutesayingsomethingobviousbutnotrepeatinganythingeg“HasanyoneseenmyBible?It’sgotaspottycover.IlastsawitwhenIwaseatingmyshreddiesthismorningbutI’msureIbroughtitwithme.Nevermind,I’msureitwillturnup.”

• Askthechildrenhowmuchtheycanrecallaboutwhatjusthappened:Howdidhegetyourattention,whattopwashewearing,whatshoes,whatwashelookingforetcAlternativelyyoucouldask2childrentogooutoftheroomandinvitetheminseparatelytoanswerthequestions.Everyonesawtheeventbutdifferentfeatureswillstandout.

• ExplainthattheGospelsarewrittenbyeyewitnessesaboutthelifeofJesusonearth.Theywouldhaveseenmuchofitandresearchedotherparts.Thewriterswerealsowritingtodifferentgroupsofpeoplesodifferenteventsmayhavefeltmoreimportantandbeenemphasised.

Story Focus

The Life of Jesus from the Gospels

Pickandchoosefromtheseactivitiesorfeelfreetofindothers.Notallactivitieswillbesuitableforallagegroups.Somearemoresuitedforusewiththewholegroupandsomearebetterforsmallgroups.Bible GiveBiblesouttothechildrenandsplittheminto3groups.AskthemtofindMatt8:14-15,

Luke1:29-31andJohn4:38-38.ThisisthetimewhenJesushealedSimonPeter’smother-in-law.Discussthesimilaritiesanddifferencesbetweentheverses(youcouldaskagrouptoactitoutasitisread).Talkabouthowthewriterswrotewhattheysaw/researchedbutalsowrotetodifferentaudiences.

HiddenTreasure

Thisconceptworkswellwithasequenceofboxes,bags,containershiddenwithineachotherlikeRussiandolls.Ideallythesmallestwillbeasmalltreasurechestwithlittlegems.EachcontainershouldhavethenameofasectionoftheBibleonit.HavealargecardboardboxwithBiblewrittenonthefront.Explainthatitcanlookbig/boring/intimidatingbutit’sworthopening.FirstwefindthebooksofMoses,tellingusaboutthebeginningoftime.NextwefindtheHistorybookswithhistoricalfactsfromthousandsofyearsago.Afterthiswefindbookswithpoetryandwisdomrelatingtoeverykindofemotionandcircumstance.ThencomethePropheticbooksrecordingGod’swordsthroughman.Andnowweareatthepointwherewefindoutwhatit’sallbeenfor…therealtreasureoftheBibleisfoundintheGospelswherewediscoverJesus!

Whatcomesnext?

Findimagesofwell-knowneventsfromJesus’timeonearthe.g.birth,temple,baptism,temptation,waterintowine,feedingthe5000,lastsupper,death,andascension.Askthechildrentoputtheminorder.

SUtimeline Askthechildrentofindtheappropriatepanels.Gatherroundthe4panelsandaskthemtolookatthepictures(big&small).Ask:whichistheirfavouriteandtalkaboutwhy;howtheywouldhavefeltmeetingJesus;whattheythinkJesuswaslike;whydidJesusdie....Afterthediscussion,usepost-itnotesandaskthemwhatquestionstheywouldliketoaskJesus.Jotthemdownandusethematalaterpointfordiscussions.

GospelHighlights

Rolloutalongsectionofliningpaper.AskthechildrenforwellknownstoriesfromthelifeofJesus.Encouragethemtothinkofparablesandmiraclesaswellasthoseabove.Writedowntheirsuggestionsclearly,makingfulluseofthepaper.Askthechildrentodrawpicturesalongsidetheevents.Ifitissuitableitcouldbeusedasadisplay!

JellyTelly Sing-alongBibleepisodeCraftActivity

Aquickgooglesearchfor:LifeofJesus,Gospels,MiraclesofJesusorsimilarwillgiveavarietyofideasorcolouringpagesthatyoumaywishtouse.

What’s the memory verse?

Psalm119:105Yourwordisalamptomyfeetandalightformypath.

Week 7

Church History [1 book]

ActsWrittenbyLukeasasequeltoLuke’sgospel.HewasadoctorandwroteitaroundAD60.

Introduction

Witharushofwindthroughtheroom,theHolySpiritthatJesushadpromisedcametothedisciples.ThefriendsofJesusweregivenpowerandcouragetospreadthegoodnewsthroughJerusalem,thenJudeaandthentheentireworld.Thechurchhadbegunandtheword‘Christian’begantobeused.Thisbooktellstheamazingeventsthattookplacefortheearlychurch!

StorysoFar Putthebookplatesintotheirsectionsaroundtheroom.Askthechildrentochooseasectionoftheroomandhelptoarrangetheplatesinthecorrectorder.YoucouldplaceaBibleintheProphetssection(andothers)sothatsomeonemightworkouttousethecontentspage.

Story Focus

Peter and Cornelius Acts Ch10

Pickandchoosefromtheseactivitiesorfeelfreetofindothers.Notallactivitieswillbesuitableforallagegroups.Somearemoresuitedforusewiththewholegroupandsomearebetterforsmallgroups.Discussion

BrieflyreviewthehistoryofGod’speople:WhowerethefirstpeopleGodwasfriendswith?Whatwentwrong?CanyounameoneoftheearliestleadersofGod’speople?(probablyAbrahamorMoses)CanyounameoneofthekingsofGod’speople?(probablySaulorDavid)WhatareGod’speopleknownas?(probablyJewsorIsraelites)ExplainthatIsraelisstillacountrytodayandpeoplewhofollowthereligionJudaismtodayarestillcalledJews.Wearen’tJews(probably)butarestillknownasGod’speople.IttooksomeofthedisciplesawhiletounderstandthatGodwantedGentiles(non-Jewish)tobehispeopletoo.AfterPetermetCorneliusheunderstoodthatGod’splanandthegoodnewsofJesusisforeveryone.

Bible GiveBiblesouttothechildrenandhelpthemtofindActs1.Readthefirst3verses.Putsomesimplequestionsinahat:Whoistheauthor?Whatotherbookisverse1referringto?Whoistheauthortalkingto?HowlongwasitbeforeJesuswenttoheaven?WhatdidJesusshowthedisciples?WhatdoyouthinkJesustalkedtohisdisciplesabout?Passthehataroundandthosethatwouldliketoselectaquestioncanreaditoutforanyonetoanswer.

Globetrotting Bringinaglobeorworldmap.FindJerusalemasthestartingplaceoftheGospel.TalkaboutkeynamesandplacesaboutwhereChristianityspreadto.FindthecountriesintheworldwhereChristianityisthemainreligionandtalkaboutcountrieswhereitisstilldifficulttobeaChristian.

JellyTelly Sing-alongBibleepisodePass-it-on Haveabowlofgrapesandaskagroupofchildrentositinacircle.Askthemtotakeagrape

andpassthebowlon.Wheneveryonehashadagrapeexplainthattheyenjoyedagrapebecausesomeonesharedthebowlwiththem.Inturntheypassedthebowlonandotherscouldenjoythegrapes.Inthesameway,weknowaboutthegoodnewsofJesusbecausesomeonebroughtustochurch/ourparentstoldusetc.Jesuswantsustopassthegoodnewson–howcanwedothat?

CraftActivity

Aquickgooglesearchfor:PeterandCorneliusSundaySchoolActivityorCraftorWordsearchorColouringpagewillgiveavarietyofideasyoumaywishtouse.

What’s the memory verse?

Psalm119:105Yourwordisalamptomyfeetandalightformypath.

Week 8

Letters

[21]

Paul’sletterstochurches:Romans,1Corinthians,2Corinthians,Galatians,Ephesians,Philippians,Colossians,1Thessalonians,2Thessalonians,Paul’sletterstopeople:1Timothy,2Timothy,Titus,PhilemonGeneralletters:Hebrews,James,1Peter,2Peter,1John,2John,3John,Jude

Introduction

TheHolySpiritgavethefollowersofJesusboldnessandopportunitiestospreadthenewsaboutJesus.Christianityspreadatsuchanincredibleratethatchurcheswerebeingsetupinhousesfarandwide.LetterswerewrittenandpassedaroundtopeopleandchurchestomakesurethatnewfollowersunderstoodfullywhatJesushaddoneandhowtheirlivesshouldchange.Paulwrotemostofthelettersbutthereareotherauthorstoo.Theseletterscontaingreatpracticaladviceanddetailedtheology.

JengaGiants

• UsetheJengablockstostackthebooksinthecorrectorder.ThisshouldbehigherthanthetowerofProphets!

• Ifappropriateyoucouldtimethemorhave2setsandmakeitcompetitive.

Story Focus

Nothing can separate us from God’s Love Romans Ch8

Pickandchoosefromtheseactivitiesorfeelfreetofindothers.Notallactivitieswillbesuitableforallagegroups.Somearemoresuitedforusewiththewholegroupandsomearebetterforsmallgroups.Bible GiveBiblesouttothechildreninpairs(olderandyounger).GiveeachpairaBibleverse

fromaletterandaskthemtofindit.Whentheyhavefoundthemtheycanreadthemout.Itdoesn’tmatterifyouonlyuseafewversesasthiswilltakethepressureoffofsomepairsEgRomans8:28,Romans8:38-39,2Tim3:14-15,2Tim3:16-17,

JellyTelly Sing-alongBibleepisodeAnagrams Take10oftheLettersandmuddleuptheletters.GiveoutBiblesandaskthechildrento

findthecontentspage.Usingthecontentslist,cantheyworkouttheanagrams?Cantheymakeupanagramsforthoseremaining?

What’smissing OnA4sheetswriteoutsomewellknowversesandtheirreference.Stickthebitsofpaperaroundtheroom.AskthechildrentotakeaBibleandworktogetheraroundtheroomtofindoutwhattheverseshouldreallysay.Challengeanyfastfinisherstomemoriseoneortochoosetheirfavouriteandexplainthinkaboutwhy.Whyisitgoodtomemoriseverses?

Whispers Startwithasimplephrase:Ilikeicecreambutnotdonuts.Asthechildrenpassitaroundthecircleitmaychange.Nowpassawrittennoteandaskeveryonetoreaditintheirheads:MyteddyiscalledBob.Talkaboutwhichisthemostreliablemethodformakingsurethateveryoneknowstheinformation.ExplainthatthisisagoodreasonwhyPaul(andothers)wroteletterstonewchurches.

CraftActivity

What’s the memory verse?

Psalm119:105Yourwordisalamptomyfeetandalightformypath.

Aquickgooglesearchfor:Romans8ActivityorCraftorWordsearchorColouringpagewillgiveavarietyofideasyoumaywishtouse.

Week 9

Prophecy [1 book]

RevelationsWrittenbythediscipleJohnaroundAD90

Introduction

GodplannedforustolivewithHimandinthisbookweseehowallthingswillworktogether.Weseethatnomatterhowbadtheworldmayseem,intheendJesuswins!GodwillcreateanewheavenandanewearthandHeinvitesusalltojoinhim.ThisbookiswrittenbythediscipleJohnafterhereceivedavision–somepartsareconfusingandevenscarybutGod’senemySatanwillbedestroyedonceandforallandGodwillbevictorious!

TheGardenofEden

AskthechildrentorecallinformationabouttheGardenthatGodcreatedatthebeginningoftime:Whatwasitcalled?Whatwasitlike?Whatbookcanwereadaboutitin?Whatwerethe2specialtreesgrowingintheGarden?[trytogetboth:KnowledgeofGood&EvilandLife]WhatchangedintheworldwhenAdamandEvesinned?[weeds,death,pain,illness,...]ThissessionweseehowGodwillmakeallthingsnewagain!

Story Focus

A New Heaven, New Earth, New Jerusalem Revelation Ch21

Pickandchoosefromtheseactivitiesorfeelfreetofindothers.Notallactivitieswillbesuitableforallagegroups.Somearemoresuitedforusewiththewholegroupandsomearebetterforsmallgroups.Bible&Discussion

GiveBiblesouttothechildrenandhelpthemfindRevelations.JohnisspeakingaboutthevisionthathehasbeengivenfromGod.• Findandreadch21v3-4.WhatthingswillbegoneintheNewHeavenandEarth?Talkabout

whatthingscausepainandsadness.Godwillwipeeverytearaway!• ThechaptertellsusabouttheNewJerusalemanddescribeswhatthecitywallswilllooklike.

Whatarecitywallsusuallymadeoutof?Findandreadch21v18-21.Therearesomedifficultwordsherenamingallofthejewels.Ifpossibleusepicturesofpreciousstones.

• Findch22v1-3Whattreeisgrowing?WherehaveweheardabouttheTreeofLifebefore?ThisisGod’splanforus!!!

Picturethis! ThecitywalloftheNewJerusalemisadornedwithmanypreciousstones.Giveeachchildabricksizesheetofpaperorcard.Usingglitterandsparklesaskthechildrentodecoratethemostamazingstone.Askthechildrentobringtheirbrickstogetherandcreatea‘wall’.HowamazingHeavenwillbe!

TheDoor Askahelperbeforehandtointerruptthegroupbyknockingatthedoortocomein.Ifithasaclearwindowthismayhelpthechildrenunderstandabitmorewhat’sgoingon.Gesturetothemtocomein.Thehelpercangesturethatthereisaproblemwiththehandle/theirhandsarefulletc.Askthechildrenwhattodotohelp.Hopefullysomeonewillvolunteertoopenthedoor!InRevelationsCh3,JesussaidHeisstandingatthedoorandknockingbutwehavetoopenthedoorandinvitehimtocomein.ExplainthatJesuswaitstobeinvitedin,Hewon’tpushhiswayin!ManypeopledecidenottoopenthedoorandtheywillmissoutonthefuturethatHeplannedforusfromthebeginningoftime!Thismaybeanappropriatetimetogivechildrentheopportunitytorespondorofferanappropriatebooklet(perhapsDougHorley’s)forthechildrentotakeawayattheend.

SUTimeline Findthefinalpanel.TalkabouttheimagesandhowthebookofRevelationwaswritten.InthisbookweseeseveraltimesthatJesuswantsustojoinHimoneday.

JellyTelly Sing-alongBibleepisodeCraftActivity

Aquickgooglesearchfor:NewJerusalemActivityorCraftorWordsearchorColouringpagewillgiveavarietyofideasyoumaywishtouse.

What’s the

memory verse?

Psalm119:105Yourwordisalamptomyfeetandalightformypath.

Week 10

The Bible Review

OldTestament:39booksBooksofMoses,History,Poetry&Wisdom,TheProphetsNewTestament:27booksGospels,ChurchHistory,Letters,ProphecyThereisagapofabout450yearsbetweentheOTandNT.

Introduction

WehaveseenhowGodcreatedtheworldwithaplaninmind.Hebroughthispeopletogetherandguidedtheminthewaytolive.Whenthetimewasright,Jesuscametoearthandmadetheultimatesacrifice;hegaveHislifetoundoAdam’smistake(themistakeanyoneofuswouldhavemadetoo!).Jesusrosefromthegraveandwillreturnoneday!GodwantsustojoinHimsomuchthatHeinspiredmenandwomenoverhundredsofyearstokeeprecords.ThesehavebeenputtogetherinTheBible.Thisamazingbookisforustoread,explore,learnandlive.Howexciting!!!

PaperPlates • Usepaperplatesteppingstonestogetfromonepointtoanother.Eachplatehasthenameofabookandtheymustbeputinthecorrectorderbeforecrossing.

• Usethepaperplatesandasksomeonetoputtheminthecorrectorder.Ifappropriateyoucouldtimethemorhave2setsandmakeitcompetitive.

Story Focus

Hiding God’s Word Psalm 119:11 You may not feel that a story is necessary as this is a review week.

Ifpossibleusethesessiontobringeverythingthechildrenhavelearnttogether.Thechildrencouldbesplitintoteams.Activitiescouldbedone:oneatatimewithteamscompeting;setupas‘stations’thatteamsrotatearound;asafreechoicesochildrenspendaslongastheywantateachonebeforemovingon.Bible&Discussion

GiveBiblesouttothechildrentoshare.• AskthechildrenhowtofindthebookofPsalms(opentothemiddleoftheBible).Whatcan

theyrememberaboutthebookofPsalms?• Whathasthememoryversebeen?Whatisthereference?[Ps119:105]Cantheyfindit?What

doesitmean?• InthesamePsalm,findv11.Whatdoesthismean?Whatshouldwedo?

BibleSort Label8areasoftheroomwiththesectionsoftheBible.Leavethepaperplatesinthecentreoftheroomandaskthechildrentoworktogethertopickaplateandtakeittotherightareaoftheroom.Oncetheyhaveallbeenplacedsomewhereaskthechildrentoseparate,gotosectionsoftheroomandplacetheplatesinthecorrectorder.Carefulplacingofthechildren(andhelpers)shouldmeanthatrogueplatesarespottedandre-delivered.Cantheyorderall66?!Thiswouldbeanamazingachievement!

4sides Setup4areasoftheroomegProphets,Gospels,Poetry&Wisdom,BooksofMoses.Calloutbooksandtheyshouldruntotheappropriatepartoftheroom.

TheBible Givethechildrenasheetofpaperwithapictureofabookwithopenpages.Askthemtowritedowneither:somethingthattheyhavelearntoverthelastfewweeks;aversethattheytriedtomemorise;theirfavouritestory/partoftheBible.

NerftheName Choose5ofthecupswithbooknamesonthemandhaveasetofrelatedquestions.Thechildwhoanswersthequestioncorrectlycanattempttoknockthecupdownwithanerfgun.EgWhatisthe1stbookintheBible?WhichbookisaGospel?Whichbookgivesusgoodadvice?WhatbookcomesafterMatthew?

JellyTelly Sing-alongBibleepisodeOldorNew Holduparandomselectionof10bookcardsandaskthechildrentocalloutwhethertheyarein

theOldorNewTestament.JengaDominoRun

Askthechildrentomakeadominorunusingthe66jengapiecesinthecorrectorder.YoucanleaveaBiblenearbyforhelp!Aftertheyhavesetitupandyouhavecheckedittheycansetitoff.Theymaywanttouseotheritemsassteps.Theycouldalsomakeitmoreinterestingbyaddingaping-pongballtotheendwiththeaimtomakeitmove.

BibleQuiz AquickgooglesearchcangiveplentyofBibleQuizquestions.Asheetofquestionscouldbefoundorputtogether.

Acrostic UsingTHEBIBLE,askthechildrentowriteanacrostic.Theycouldworkinagrouptoproducethemorindividually.

Post-ittoaPastor

IfthechildrenhaveusedPost-itnotesinprevioussessionstowritedownquestions,nowmightbethetimetoreviewsomeoftheanswers.Youmaybeabletopre-warnachurchleaderwhocouldcomeinandanswersomeofthequestions.Youcoulduseasand-timersothattheyhavetostoptalkingbythetimethesandrunsout!Thiscouldalsoworkwellwithasmallergroupofolderchildren.

ThePrize! YoumaywanttorecognisethatthechildrenhavecompletedtheseriesonTheBibleandgivethemacertificate/badge/minitimeline.Alternatively,theycoulddecorateacrowntorepresentthevictor’scrown.

What’s the memory verse?

Psalm119:105Yourwordisalamptomyfeetandalightformypath.