jesus wants to be my friend forever - clover...

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JESUS WANTS TO BE MY FRIEND FOREVER

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PA G E 2Curriculum Materials for 3-5-year-olds • © 2015 Orange. All rights reserved. • www.WhatIsOrange.org

B A S I C T R U T H

JESUS WANTS TO BE MY FRIEND FOREVER.

K E Y Q U E S T I O N

WHO DOES JESUS LOVE?

B O T T O M L I N E

JESUS LOVES EVERYONE.

M E M O R Y V E R S E

“Love each other as I have loved you.” John 15:12, NIV

B I B L E S T O R Y F O C U S

Jesus loves us when we do something wrong.

Zacchaeus • Luke 19:1-10

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MAKE IT FUNPrepare to offer one or more of the following activities as your preschoolers arrive. Let one or two teachers lead small groups of children in activities throughout the room while another teacher greets parents and kids at the door.

• Big and Small • Chutes and Ladders®• Drop in the Bucket

MAKE IT TRUE (LARGE GROUP)• Worship• Introductory Sketch• Bible Story

MAKE IT STICKThese activities are designed to help preschoolers understand and remember today’s Bible story and Bottom Line. Offer as many of the following activities as your time, facilities, resources, and leadership allow. You may want to lead one activity at a time. Or, offer two activities at once and allow half the kids to participate in each, then switch groups and repeat the activities.

• Verse Love• Act It Out• Story Hearts • Zacchaeus Rhyme • Z’s Tree

MAKE IT REALMake It Real is designed to help preschoolers understand how the Bottom Line applies to them. They’ll discuss real-life experiences and share prayer requests. Divide kids into small groups of about five to eight children with each leader. Ideally, assign the same small group leader to the same group of preschoolers for the entire year.

• Small Group Time• Prayer

Check out an example or inspiration for this activity at Pinterest.com/firstlookcurr


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BIG AND SMALL“Big and Small” is an activity that teaches sorting and size differences.

WHAT YOU NEED: A small bucket and a large bucket, 10 pretend coins, several shoes, pencil erasers, large bowls, bottle caps, and a basketball

You can see materials suggestion for this craft on the February 2016 Pinterest board found on the First Look Curriculum’s Pinterest page: https://www.pinterest.com/firstlookcurr/

(Note: All but the coins are suggestions. You will need items that will fit in the small bucket and items that will only fit in the large bucket. You can use anything that you have but remember some small items could look like candy to little people so please beware of choking hazards.)

WHAT YOU DO: Before the Activity: Place items in the middle of the activity area. Place the buckets on opposite sides of the room.

During the Activity: Allow the children to sort the items. Help the children place the large items in the large bucket and the small items in the small bucket.

After the Activity: Take the coins out of the small bucket and use them to introduce the Bible story.

WHAT YOU SAY: Before the Activity: “Can you tell the difference between big and small? (Pause.) I knew you guys were super duper smart! Let’s see! Is a car big or small? (Pause.) Yes! A car is BIG. Is an ant big or small? (Pause.) You got it! An ant is very small. Nice work!”

During the Activity: “I have a big bucket and a small bucket here (point to both buckets). I have many items (point) that I need to go into the buckets. Can you decide which items should go into the small bucket and which items should go into the big bucket? Let’s see if we can put everything in the correct bucket.”

After the Activity: “Great job! You are all so smart! I am very proud of you. (Take

MOVEMENT

An activity that uses a preschooler’s natural desire to move to help them learn and grow.

MAKE IT FUN

Activities designed to draw children into

the classroom and introduce vocabulary

and concepts needed for the Bible story.


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the coins out of the small bucket.) These coins are small, but today we are going to hear about someone who wanted lots and lots of them. I cannot wait to hear what happened!”

MOVEMENT


MAKE IT FUN





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CHUTES AND LADDERS®“Chutes and Ladders®” is a game that uses counting skills to introduce today’s Bible story.

WHAT YOU NEED: 2 or 3 “Chutes and Ladders®” board games

WHAT YOU DO: Before the Activity: Set up the game boards so they are ready for play.

During the Activity: Count off the number of children present and divide them into groups so that everyone has a spot at one of the board games. Explain that you play the game by spinning the spinner and moving your game piece that number of spaces forward on the board. If you land on the bottom of a ladder, you get to climb to the top. If you land on the top of a chute, you must slide down to the bottom. First player to the top wins.

WHAT YOU SAY: During the Activity: “Today we’re going to play one of my favorite board games, ‘Chutes and Ladders®’! Remember, if you land on the bottom of a ladder, you may climb to the top. But if land at the top of a chute, you must slide down. Are you ready? (Pause.) Let’s play!”

After the Activity: “Wasn’t that fun? (Pause.) Well, if you landed on a chute, maybe you didn’t think that part was very fun. Today we’re going to hear about a man that climbed up in a tree. I wonder if he climbed a ladder like the ones on our game boards. (Pause.) I guess we’ll find out soon!”

GAME

An activity that encourages preschoolers to follow guidelines while having fun and learning

new concepts.

MAKE IT FUN





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DROP IN THE BUCKET“Drop in the Bucket” is an activity that teaches listening skills and problem solving.

WHAT YOU NEED: Small metal bucket and 5 pretend coins

You can see materials suggestion for this craft on the February 2016 Pinterest board found on the First Look Curriculum’s Pinterest page: https://www.pinterest.com/firstlookcurr/

WHAT YOU DO: Before Activity: Place the bucket in the middle of the play area. Drop of all the coins in the bucket at one time. Ask the children if it was a loud sound.

During the Activity: Challenge the children to turn their heads and listen to see if they can tell how many coins you drop in the bucket just by listening. First drop only one coin. Ask the children how many they heard. Keep going until you get to all five. Be sure to drop the coins one at a time so the children can count them.

After the Activity: Introduce the Bible story.

WHAT YOU SAY: Before the Activity: (Drop all of the coins in the bucket.) “WOW, did you hear that? (Pause.) That was very loud! We can use our ears to tell us things. I bet your ears can tell you how many coins I drop into this bucket.”

During the Activity: “Everyone turn their heads. Great! Now use only your ears to listen for how many coins I drop. Are you ready? (Pause.) Okay, here we go!” (Continue with activity.)

After the Activity: “You are all such awesome listeners! We are going to talk about coins in our story today. There is a man who wanted as many coins as he could get! Let’s get ready to hear our TRUE story from the Bible and find out what happened!”

INVESTIGATION/ROLE PLAY

An activity that channels either a preschooler’s innate curiosity or desire to play dress up into a discussion of

concepts crucial to the lesson.

MAKE IT FUN





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VERSE LOVE“Verse Love” is an activity that uses fine motor skills to introduce this month’s Memory Verse.

WHAT YOU NEED: “Verse Love” from the Activity Pages found on the Website, and markers or crayons

WHAT YOU DO: Before the Activity: Copy the “Verse Love” Activity Pages onto copy paper, one per child. Place the crayons or markers in the center of the table.

During the Activity: Say the verse aloud with the children. Hold up an Activity Page and point to the words of the verse as you repeat it. Ask the children to trace the hearts on the page and then color them as you repeat the verse several times together.

WHAT YOU SAY: During the Activity: “Let’s say our verse together. ‘Love each other as I have loved you,’ John 15:12. Do you see the hearts on your page? (Pause.) I want you to trace the hearts and then color them as we say the verse together.” (Repeat the verse several more times as the children are coloring.)

After the Activity: “This verse is talking about Jesus! He wants us to love others like He loves us, because Jesus loves everyone. Who does Jesus love? Jesus loves everyone. So we should love everyone too!”

MEMORY VERSE REVIEW

An activity that encourages preschoolers to learn the monthly memory verse.

MAKE IT STICK

Activities designed to reinforce the

Bible story and bottom line.


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ACT IT OUT“Act It Out” is an activity that uses role play to reenact the Bible story so that the children can better understand the concept.

WHAT YOU NEED: Play money (paper money or coins will work; you will need two for every child and one for yourself)

WHAT YOU DO:Before the Activity: Have the children stand in a circle with you sitting in the middle. Lay out three bills or coins in the floor in front of you.

During the Activity: Tell the children that they are Zacchaeus. Ask them to stand on their knees. Start to retell the story and allow each child to come and take two of your bills/coins. After one child has taken your money, replace the money on the floor and allow the next child to walk on their knees and take your money. Look very sad every time your money is taken. Keep telling the story as each child comes to you. Once all of the children have taken your money, ask the children to pretend to climb a tree while still on their knees.

After the Activity: Finish telling the story. Ask the children if what Zacchaeus did was wrong when he stole the money. Ask the children what the right thing to do is and encourage them to give you back your money.

WHAT YOU SAY: Before the Activity: (Sit in the circle with the children standing around you. Lay three bills/coins in front of you.) “Today we heard a story about Zacchaeus. Do you remember if Zacchaeus was tall or short? (Pause.) Yes he was short. Let’s pretend that all of you are Zacchaeus. Can you all stand on your knees so that you are short like Zacchaeus was? (Pause.) Great job!”

During the Activity: “Zacchaeus was a tax collector and his job was to get money from all of the people. (Point to first child.) Come and get my money, Zacchaeus. (Direct child to come and get two of your bills/coins.) Boo-hoo! Zacchaeus took a lot of my money! (Replace the money and point to another child.) Your turn, Zacchaeus. (Keep encouraging the children to come to you but keep telling the story.) Zacchaeus did not just take the money that he was supposed to take. He took more and kept the extra for himself! He was a thief! It made all of the people

BIBLE STORY REVIEW

An activity that reviews the entire Bible story in a fun and interactive way allowing preschoolers that

repetition they crave.

MAKE IT STICK



BIB

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sad and angry that Zacchaeus took their money! (Finish up with the children taking the money and returning to the circle.)

“One day while Zacchaeus was taking money, Jesus came to his town. Everyone wanted to see Jesus so there were many people around Him. Remember Zacchaeus was short so he could not see. Do you remember what Zacchaeus did so he could see Jesus? (Pause.) Yes! He climbed a tree! So everyone pretend to climb a tree. (Allow the children to act it out.) Great climbing! When Jesus saw him in the tree He said, ‘Zacchaeus, you get down from there and take me to your house.’ All of the people could not believe it. The man who stole their money was going to have Jesus in his house! Zacchaeus took Jesus to his house. Jesus loves everyone even if they do not always make good choices.”

After the Activity: “Do you think that Jesus was happy that Zacchaeus took the people’s money? (Pause.) No, I am sure He was not happy, but He still loved Zacchaeus. What do you think Jesus would want Zacchaeus to do? (Pause.) I think He would want Zacchaeus to give the money back that he stole. What do you think? (Pause.) I think you are all right. So since you are all my pretend Zacchaeuses, what should you do? (Encourage the children to bring you back the money.) Great job! Jesus loves everyone, no matter what! Who does Jesus love? Jesus loves everyone!”

BIBLE STORY REVIEW

An activity that reviews the entire Bible story in a fun and interactive way allowing preschoolers that

repetition they crave.

MAKE IT STICK



BIB

LE S T O R Y R E V

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PA G E 1 0Curriculum Materials for 3-5-year-olds • © 2015 Orange. All rights reserved. • www.WhatIsOrange.org

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STORY HEARTS“Story Hearts” is an activity that uses fine motor skills to review today’s Bible story.

WHAT YOU NEED: “Story Hearts” from the Activity Pages found on the Website; white cardstock; red, pink, and white construction paper; scissors; and glue sticks

WHAT YOU DO: Before the Activity: Copy the “Story Hearts” Activity Page onto the cardstock, 1 page per child. Cut the construction paper into squares. Fold each square in half and draw the half outline of a heart along the fold for the children to cut out. Provide at least four hearts per child. Place the scissors and glue sticks in the center of the table.

During the Activity: Demonstrate for the children how to cut along the outline on the construction paper and then unfold it to reveal a heart. Pass out the folded construction paper so that each child has at least four pieces. Help the children cut out their hearts. Pass out the “Story Hearts” Activity Pages and have the children glue their hearts to the top of the page, making sure they don’t cover the story reference along the bottom of the page.

WHAT YOU SAY: During the Activity: “Who did we talk about in our Bible story today? (Pause.) He had a crazy name. (Pause.) That’s right! We talked about Zacchaeus! Did everyone love Zacchaeus? (Pause.) No way. He had stolen people’s money and they were mad at him. But when he met Jesus that day, Jesus wasn’t mad. Jesus wanted to be Zacchaeus’s friend! Let’s cut out some hearts and glue them to the top of our pages to show how Jesus chose to love Zacchaeus.”

After the Activity: “You did a GREAT job cutting out your hearts. I love them. These hearts remind me that Jesus loves everyone, even when we do something wrong. Zacchaeus had definitely done some wrong things. But Jesus forgave him. He loved Zacchaeus just like He loves us. Who does Jesus love? Jesus loves everyone.”

JUST FOR FIVES

An activity that calls on older preschoolers’ more developed cognitive and fine motor skills while reviewing

the Bible story, bottom line or memory verse.

MAKE IT STICK




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ZACCHAEUS RHYME “Zacchaeus Rhyme” is an activity that uses motions and memorization to teach the Bible story.

WHAT YOU NEED: Video of the rhyme found at https://vimeo.com/59452658 or on the First look Pinterest page at https://www.pinterest.com/firstlookcurr/

WHAT YOU DO:Before the Activity: Watch the rhyme video to learn the words and the motions.

During the Activity: Teach the rhyme and motions to the children.

After the Activity: Repeat several times.

(Option: If you have the means you may consider playing the video for the children so they can follow along.)

WHAT YOU SAY: Before the Activity: “Today we learned about Zacchaeus. He was a wee little man! Let’s learn a fun rhyme to help us remember our Bible story.”

During the Activity: (Teach the rhyme and the motions.) “Great job! Now let’s try again together! Are you ready?” (Repeat several times.)

After the Activity: “Awesome work! It was so much fun singing about Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus made some bad choices but Jesus loved him anyway. Who does Jesus love? Jesus loves everyone!”

MOVEMENT


MAKE IT STICK




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Z’S TREE“Z’s Tree” is an activity that uses fine motor skills to review today’s Bible story.

WHAT YOU NEED: “Z’s Tree” from the Activity Pages found on the Website, heart stickers, and crayons

WHAT YOU DO: Before the Activity: Copy the “Z’s Tree” Activity Page onto white paper. Place the heart stickers and crayons in the center of the table.

During the Activity: Talk about Zacchaeus and why he had to climb up in the tree. Point him out on the Activity Page. Ask them to place some heart stickers on the tree and color it.

WHAT YOU SAY: During the Activity: “I LOVED our Bible story today! Can anyone tell me who you see in the tree on your page? (Pause.) That’s right. It’s Zacchaeus. Why is Zacchaeus in a tree? (Pause.) Because he was short and he couldn’t see Jesus over the crowd. Why would we put hearts on our tree? Did someone show love that day? (Pause.) You were really listening! These hearts are about Jesus! Jesus met Zacchaeus and showed him love even when others didn’t. Let’s add some more leaves to our tree with these heart stickers.

After the Activity: “Your pictures look great! I’m so glad that Jesus showed love to Zacchaeus that day. Zacchaeus had definitely messed up, but Jesus was willing to forgive him, because Jesus loves everyone. If Jesus loved Zacchaeus when he messed up, will He love you and me when we mess up? (Pause.) YES! Because Jesus loves everyone. Who does Jesus love? Jesus loves everyone. Great job!”

CRAFT

An activity that allows preschoolers to review the Bible story, bottom line or memory verse by creating

a fun craft to take home.

MAKE IT STICK




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SMALL GROUP TIMEWHAT YOU NEED: Paperclip “Memory Verse Card” from the week one Activity Pages on the Website in your Bible at John 15:12. Provide a journal and a fun-shaped pen for each small group.

SMALL GROUP LEADER (SGL): “Zacchaeus is one of my favorite people in the Bible. I love how he wanted to see Jesus so much that he didn’t let anything get in his way, even if that meant he had to climb a tree! And then, even though Zacchaeus had done bad things, Jesus STILL loved him and wanted to go to his house to hang out. Wow! That means Jesus loves everyone, even when we do something wrong. That is GREAT news because we’ve all done something wrong!

“Hmm … Jesus loves everyone, even when we do something wrong, and our Bible verse says that we should ‘love each other as I have loved you’ (John 15:12, NIV), so that means WE should love everyone, even when THEY do something wrong! Wow! That’s some BIG love! And we can do it because God promises to help us! “Let’s say our verse together with the motions so we can remember that we should love everyone like Jesus does, even when they do something wrong.”

CHILDREN AND SGL: “Love each other (give yourself a big hug) as I (point up with both fingers) have loved you’ (bring fingers down and point all over the room at all the kids), John 15:12.” (Open hands like a book.) (Repeat the verse a few times together.)

SGL: “I think you’re getting it! Good job! What if we loved everyone the way Jesus loves everyone? Now THAT would be the best Valentines’ Day EVER!

“Okay, let’s write in our journal. Get ready, because I have a big question for you. Raise your hand if you’ve ever done something wrong. Me too! Oh, goodness! Lots of times! Well, today we are going to make a list of some wrong things we’ve done. It won’t be super easy, but we can do it. When we pray we can thank God for giving us Jesus and that He loves us, even when we do something wrong, just like He loved Zacchaeus when he did something wrong.

MAKE IT REAL

A time for preschoolers to meet with a

consistent small group leader, apply the

lesson to their lives and pray together. Investing in a few to encourage their authentic faith.


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“I’ll go first. One time I … (share something wrong you’ve done like not sharing, not telling the truth, saying something hurtful—something that the children can relate to.) I’ll write that by my name. Whew! I did it! Now it’s your turn.

(Give each child the opportunity to share. Remember to print the words so the children can recognize their names and the letters.)

“Thank you for sharing. That can be hard to talk about! The good news is Jesus still loves us and He wants to be our friend and help us make the right choice next time. Jesus is the best!

“Now let’s pray and thank God for giving us Jesus to love us, even when we do something wrong. Would anyone like to pray before I pray? (Pause.)

(Give each child that wants to pray the opportunity to do so.)

“Now I’ll pray.

PRAYERSGL: “Dear God, thank You for our good friend, Jesus. Thank You that Jesus loves everyone, even when we do something wrong. Thank You that Jesus loves (child’s name) even when he (what he said in the journal) and Jesus loves (child’s name) even when she (what she said in the journal) … (say each child’s name and what they listed). Help us to love others the way Jesus loves everyone, even when they do something wrong. We love You, God. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

MAKE IT REAL

A time for preschoolers to meet with a

consistent small group leader, apply the

lesson to their lives and pray together. Investing in a few to encourage their authentic faith.

jesus wants to be my friend forever - clover...

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