jesus gives the beatitudes - group publishing · bible point . following jesus makes us happy. key...

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Lesson 9 Infants, Toddlers & 2s Winter Quarter

Lesson 9

Jesus Gives the BeatitudesMatthew 5:1-12

Bible Point Following Jesus makes us happy.

Key VerseCome to me and rest (adapted from Matthew 11:28).

Weaving Faith Into Life Children will understand that God makes them happy.

S ince children are very literal at this age, be careful when correcting a child to make a distinction between the child and the behavior choice. Let the child know that the

behavior choice was bad—not the child. Tangible signs of love such as hugs and kisses signify your approval, and words of praise reinforce all the good behavior choices you want to see. As children begin to see that you love them unconditionally, relate this to God’s love. Teach children that God always loves them and that following Jesus makes us happy.

INFANT

LESSON WHAT CHILDREN DO SUPPLIES EASY PREP

1

Getting Started

Sing and CelebrateListen to “Servant of All” (Mark 9:35b) and “Come to Jesus.”

CD player Teacher Pack: CD

2

Bible Exploration

We Can Please GodLearn through an action verse that they make God happy.

3

Weaving Faith

Into Life

Show God’s Love Sing a song about being kind like Jesus.

Hugs and KissesExperience hugs and kisses, and learn about being kind.

Weaving Faith at HomeTake home their “Growing With Jesus” pages.

My Bible Snuggles or 1 copy per child of the “Growing With Jesus” page (at the end of the lesson)

Remove the Lesson 9 pages from each My Bible Snuggles student book.

Lesson 9 Infants, Toddlers & 2sWinter Quarter

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TODDLER


1

Getting Started

Sing and CelebrateSing or listen to “Servant of All” (Mark 9:35b) and “Come to Jesus.”


2

Bible Exploration

Pleasing GodGo on a “hike,” and learn ways to please God by following Jesus.

Bible, 1 red construction paper heart, bandage, backpack Teacher Pack: smiley face

Put the heart shape, the smiley face, a Bible, and a bandage into the backpack.

3

Weaving Faith

Into Life

Kind Words Sing a song about being kind.

Gentle and KindDo an art project, and learn what it means to be gentle and kind like Jesus.

My Bible Snuggles or 1 copy per child of the “Gentle and Kind” page (at the end of the lesson), marker, glue, cotton balls




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2-YEAR-OLD


1

Getting Started

Sing and CelebrateSing or listen to “Servant of All” (Mark 9:35b) and “Come to Jesus.”


2

Bible Exploration

Happiness HikePretend to go on a hike, and learn ways that they make God happy by following Jesus.

Bible, 1 red construction paper heart, bandage, backpack Teacher Pack: smiley face

Put the heart shape, the smiley face, a Bible, and a bandage into a backpack.

3

Weaving Faith

Into Life

Saying Kind WordsRecord and listen to kind words.

audio recorder with playback

Prepare the audio recorder for recording and playback.

Make a Heart Make a happy heart to remind them that following Jesus makes them happy.

My Bible Snuggles or 1 copy per child of the “Gentle and Kind” page (at the end of the lesson), glue, cotton balls, 1 piece of red construction paper per 5 or 6 children, scissors

Remove the Lesson 9 pages from each My Bible Snuggles student book. Cut smiles from red construction paper.



BIBLe BACKGROUND FOR LEADERS


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Jesus Gives the BeatitudesMatthew 5:1-12

What God Expects…

This passage marks the beginning of a message Jesus preached called the Sermon on the Mount. This particular section of the Sermon on the Mount is called the Beatitudes. These verses describe the characteristics that Jesus expects of those who follow him. In addition, each description is accompanied by a pronouncement of blessing on those who demonstrate that characteristic. Some of the blessings are worded in the present tense, and others are worded in the future tense, but all are certainties. Some Bible translations use the word happy instead of blessed in these verses, but happy doesn’t convey the full meaning of what’s intended here. This blessing by God involves joy that doesn’t depend on circumstances but rather is based on what God has done for us. …Leads to Joy…

Poor in spirit: those who are not proud, understanding that they can do nothing without God. Theirs is the kingdom of heaven: God grants them entry into his kingdom because they trust in him. Those who mourn: people who are saddened by their own sin and the sin around them. They will be comforted: one day God will dry all their tears. The meek: those who are humble before God. They will inherit the earth: the arrogant will inherit nothing, but the meek will be honored by God. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: people who strive to do what is right and pleasing to God. They will be filled: God will grant them personal satisfaction as they faithfully seek to serve him. The merciful: those who humbly realize they don’t deserve God’s mercy, but having received it, strive to extend it to others. They will be shown mercy: As they extend mercy to others, God will grant more mercy to them. The pure in heart: people who continue to focus on Christ and don’t allow other allegiances to contaminate that relationship. They will see God: One

day they will see the object of their worship face to face. The peacemakers: those who live at peace and seek to make peace among others. They will be called sons of God: By seeking to bring peace to others, they will show that they are God’s children. Those who are persecuted because of righteousness: people who suffer for standing up for God. Theirs is the kingdom of heaven: Those who endure in faith are assured a place in the kingdom. …No Matter What

Matthew 5:11-12 expands on the last of the Beatitudes, describing what our attitude should be when we are persecuted: We should rejoice because we’ll be rewarded for our perseverance. What happens to us on earth will seem insignificant in light of the rewards we’ll receive for faithfully honoring God in our earthly lives.

The Jesus Connection

Jesus preached in front of a large crowd, but he directed these blessings to his followers. Following Jesus has its price, but it also has great rewards.

Which of these blessings seem most true in your life? Which ones do you need Jesus to make more real in your life? Jesus wants this passage to describe you—so pray about what needs to change for that to be true. You can write your prayer here.

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INFANT

GETTING STARTED

Sing and Celebrate

What You’ll Do Sing “Servant of All (Mark 9:35b)” (track 11 of the CD). As you sing, sway with a baby back and forth.

If anyone wants to be first,He must be the very last.If anyone wants to be first,He must be the very last,

And the servant of all,And the servant of all,And the servant of all,If you want to be first.

(Repeat from the beginning.)

If anyone wants to be first,He must be the very last.If anyone wants to be first,He must be the very last.

“Servant of All” (Mark 9:35b) by Uelese Fa’agutu, Rachel Fa’agutu, and Jay Stocker. © 2007 Group Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.

Sing “Come to Jesus” (not on the CD) to the tune of “Bingo.” As you sing, bounce a baby gently on your knees.

The people came in crowds each day,And Jesus taught and helped them.Come to Jesus,Come to Jesus,Come to Jesus,For he will teach and help you!

After singing, say: FOLLOWING JESUS MAKES US HAPPY.

Sing and CelebrateSupplies

CD playerTeacher PackCD: “Servant of All” (Mark 9:35b) (track 11)


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2 BIBLE EXPLORATION

We Can Please God

What You’ll Do Hold a baby on your lap, facing you.

Say: God is happy when we’re kind to others. (smile at baby)God is happy when we help each other. (hold baby’s palms together between your

hands)God is happy when we follow Jesus. (touch baby’s hands to his or her heart)God, help us make you happy by being kind to others and showing your love! (hug

baby)

Say: God is happy when we follow him, and FOLLOWING JESUS MAKES US HAPPY.

3 WEAVING FAITH INTO LIFE

Show God’s Love

What You’ll Do Place a baby on his or her back in front of you. Sing the following song to the tune of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.” On the word “kind,” gently clap the baby’s hands. On the line “Show God’s love today,” bring baby’s hands up and over his or her head.

Kind, kind, let’s be kindEverywhere we go.Show God’s love today.To everyone you know!

Say: FOLLOWING JESUS MAKES US HAPPY.

Hugs and Kisses

What You’ll Do Hold a baby close, and smile at him or her.

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Say: God is happy when we share his love. Hug the baby. Jesus is happy when we follow him. We make God and Jesus happy. FOLLOWING JESUS MAKES US HAPPY, too.

Weaving Faith at Home Have children take home their “Growing With Jesus” pages. Encourage parents to do the activities with children to help them grow with Jesus. By working together and focusing on the same goals, you and parents can help children weave faith into their lives!

Talk to your Director about emailing the FREE FamilyConnect to all your church’s families. Available at group.com/digital.

TODDLER

GETTING STARTED

Sing and Celebrate

What You’ll Do Sing “Servant of All (Mark 9:35b)” (track 11 on the CD). On the word “first,” have children hold up one finger.






Weaving Faith at Home Supplies


Weaving Faith at Home Easy Prep





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Sing “Come to Jesus” (not on the CD) to the tune of “Bingo.” As you sing, practice a clapping pattern with the toddlers.



2 BIBLE EXPLORATION

Pleasing God

What You’ll Do Place the backpack on your back, and invite two toddlers to join you. Walk around the room, and then sit in a corner.

Say: Jesus teaches us about what God wants us to do. Open the backpack and remove the heart shape. God wants us to love others. Remove the Bible and open it to Matthew 5. Tell children that this is God’s special book. God wants us to read our Bibles and learn about him. Remove the smiley face. God wants us to say kind words to others. Remove the bandage. God wants us to help others feel better. We can do lots of things that make God happy, and FOLLOWING JESUS MAKES US HAPPY, too.


Kind Words

What You’ll Do Sing the following song to the tune of “Wheels on the Bus.” Encourage toddlers to join you in the actions.

Pleasing God Supplies

Bible1 red construction paper heart

bandagebackpack Teacher Pack:smiley face

Pleasing God Easy Prep

Put the heart shape, the smiley face, a Bible, and a bandage into the backpack.

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We please God when we are kind. (pat someone’s back)We are kind. (pat someone’s back)We are kind. (pat someone’s back)We follow Jesus when we’re kind. (pat someone’s back)That makes God glad! (point to your smile)

Gentle and Kind

What You’ll Do Give each child a “Gentle and Kind” page, and write children’s names on their handouts. Set out cotton balls and glue.

Say: This cotton is soft. Let children touch the cotton balls to see how soft they are. God wants us to be gentle and kind to our friends. That means we touch them softly and use nice words. This cotton will remind us to be gentle and kind.

Help toddlers spread glue on the inside of the heart that is on their handouts. Then let children place several cotton balls on the glue. Jesus is gentle and kind to us. FOLLOWING JESUS MAKES US HAPPY. Have toddlers touch the soft cotton and say, “Be kind.”

Weaving Faith at Home Have children take home their “Growing With Jesus” pages. Encourage parents to do the activities with children to help them grow with Jesus. By working together and focusing on the same goals, you and parents can help children weave faith into their lives!


Gentle and Kind Supplies

My Bible Snuggles or 1 copy per child of the “Gentle and Kind” page (at the end of the lesson)

markergluecotton balls

Gentle and Kind Easy Prep





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2-YEAR-OLD

GETTING STARTED

Sing and Celebrate

What You’ll Do Sing “Servant of All (Mark 9:35b)” (track 11 on the CD). As you sing, encourage children to sing with you.






Sing “Come to Jesus” (not on the CD) to the tune of “Bingo.” After singing the song through a few times to familiarize children with the words, take them on a singing march. Line kids up, and have them follow you around the room singing.





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2 BIBLE EXPLORATION

Happiness Hike

What You’ll Do Place the backpack on your back, and invite children to join you on a hike.

Ask: Have you gone on a hike before? Encourage kids to respond.

Say: Jesus and his special friends once hiked a mountain. Then Jesus told them ways to please God, or make him happy. Help me tell what Jesus said.

We’re going on a hike, (pretend to climb)Just you and me. (point to yourself and to children)We’re going on a hike (pretend to climb)To see what makes God happy. (point to your smiling face)Jesus told his friends (point to several children)Things that they could say. (point to your mouth)He told them things that they could do (stretch your arms out to the sides)To please God every day. (smile, wave your hands above your head, and then sit down)

Say: Jesus teaches us how to please God. Open the backpack and remove the heart shape. God wants us to show love to others. Remove the Bible and open it to Matthew 5. God wants us to read our Bibles and learn about him. Remove the smiley face. God wants us to say kind words to others. Remove the bandage. God wants us to help others feel better. We make God happy. FOLLOWING JESUS MAKES US HAPPY.


Saying Kind Words

What You’ll Do Let children take turns speaking into the audio recorder. Have children say kind words such as “please,” “thank you,” “I’m sorry,” “I love you,” and “excuse me.” Play back the recording so each child can hear his or her own voice.

Say: God hears our words, and he is happy when we’re kind. Jesus teaches us how to be kind to each other. FOLLOWING JESUS MAKES US HAPPY.

Happiness Hike Supplies

Bible1 red construction paper heart

bandagebackpack Teacher Packsmiley face

Happiness Hike Easy Prep

Put the heart shape, the smiley face, a Bible, and a bandage into a backpack.

Saying Kind Words Supplies

audio recorder with playback

Saying Kind Words Easy Prep

Prepare the audio recorder for recording and playback.


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Make a Heart What You’ll Do Have children glue cotton ball “eyes” and paper smiles onto the heart on their “Gentle and Kind” pages.

Say: This happy heart can remind you that Jesus teaches us how to make God happy. FOLLOWING JESUS MAKES US HAPPY.

Weaving Faith at HomeHave children take home their “Growing With Jesus” pages. Encourage parents to do the activities with children to help them grow with Jesus. By working together and focusing on the same goals, you and parents can help children weave faith into their lives!


Make a Heart Supplies

My Bible Snuggles or 1 copy per child of the “Gentle and Kind” page (at the end of the lesson)

gluecotton balls1 piece of red construction paper per 5 or 6 children

scissors

Make a Heart Easy Prep

Remove the Lesson 9 pages from each My Bible Snuggles student book. Cut smiles from red construction paper.



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HOME CONNECT

! OK TO COPY© FaithWeaver NOW™ group.com.

Growing With Jesus

B y experiencing fun songs, games, and activities, your child began learning that following Jesus makes us happy (from Matthew 5:1-12). Your child participated in

one of the following activities today. You can do these activities to help your child grow with Jesus throughout the week.

INFANT

Hugs and Kisses

Hold your baby close, and smile at him or her.

Say: Jesus teaches us to be kind. Hug your baby. God is happy when we are kind. Kiss your baby. It makes us happy when we follow Jesus.

TODDLER

Kind Words

Sing the following song to the tune of “Wheels on the Bus.” Encourage your child to join you in the actions.

We please God when we are kind. (pat child’s back)

We are kind. (pat child’s back)

We are kind. (pat child’s back)

We please God when we are kind. (pat child’s back)

That makes God glad! (point to your smile)

2-YEAR-OLD

Saying Kind Words

Let your child speak into an audio recording device. Have your child say kind words such as “please,” “thank you,” “I’m sorry,” “I love you,” and “excuse me.” Play back the recording so your child can hear his or her own voice.

Say: Jesus teaches us to be kind because it makes God happy. Following Jesus makes us happy.

Unconditional Love

Children need approval from their parents. Your child wants assurance that you love him or her—no matter what. When correcting your child, make a distinction between the poor behavior choice and your child. Ensure that your child knows that it’s not him or her but the behavior choice that was poor. Tangible signs of love such as hugs and kisses signify your approval, as well as words of congratulations and praise.

Help your child become a FaithWeaver with these ideas: n Give your child a chance to help with various fun tasks, like opening the mail or pouring

detergent into the washing machine. Thank your child for helping, and remind your child that he or she makes God happy.

n Have a pretend party with your child’s dolls or stuffed animals, suggesting that your child share a special toy with each. Compliment your child for sharing, and remind him or her that Jesus teaches us to be kind.

n “Catch” your child doing something good. Tell your child how happy you are and that God is happy, too.

jesus gives the beatitudes - group publishing · bible point . following jesus makes us happy. key...

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