jesus wants to be my friend forever · curriculum materials for 3-5-year-olds • 2015 orange. all...

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JESUS WANTS TO BE MY FRIEND FOREVER

3W E E K

FEBRUARY2016

Y E A R O L D S

3-5

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 no one else does. The Unloved Woman

• John 8:2-11

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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.

• Heart Sock Toss• Good or Bad• Love Notes

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.

• Pillow Pass• Thumbs Up / Thumbs Down• Love Writing• Stop for Hugs!• Love Bucket

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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B A S I C T R U T H




B O T T O M L I N E






• John 8:2-11

HEART SOCK TOSS“Heart Sock Toss ” is an activity that uses gross motor skills to introduce today’s Bible story.

WHAT YOU NEED: Balled-up heart socks, 3 plastic buckets, and masking tape

WHAT YOU DO: Before the Activity: Mark a starting line on the floor with masking tape. About two feet away, place the three plastic buckets in a row.

During the activity: Ask the children to form a line behind the tape. Show them how to toss the socks underhand into the buckets. Let each child take three turns.

WHAT YOU SAY: During the Activity: “Let’s see how good you are at hitting a target. I want to line up behind this line here on the floor and toss these socks into the buckets. Are you ready? (Pause.)

After the Activity: “You all did an awesome job getting these socks into the buckets. Do you see what’s here on the side of these socks? (Pause.) Hearts! Hearts remind me of love. Today we’re going to hear about a woman that most people didn’t love but one very special person did!”

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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B A S I C T R U T H




B O T T O M L I N E






• John 8:2-11

GOOD OR BAD“Good or Bad” is an activity that teaches critical thinking and moral behavior.

WHAT YOU NEED: “Choices” from the Activity Pages found on the Website, and white paper

WHAT YOU DO: Before the Activity: Copy the Activity Page onto the paper.

During the Activity: Have the children sit in front of you. Read off the scenarios on the Activity Page one at a time. Ask the children if the scenario is a good choice or a bad choice. If it is a good choice ask them to give you a thumbs up. If it is a bad choice ask the children to give you a thumbs down.

After the Activity: Introduce the Bible story.

WHAT YOU SAY: Before the Activity: “We all make choices every day. We should always make good choices, but sometimes we all make bad choices.”

During the Activity: “I am going to read you some choices. I want you to think really hard and decide if it is a GOOD choice or a BAD choice. If it is a GOOD choice, show me a thumbs up. (Demonstrate.) If it is a BAD choice, show me a thumbs down. (Demonstrate.) Are you ready?”

After the Activity: “Great work! I am so glad that you know the difference between GOOD choices and BAD choices! In our story today, we will hear about a woman who made many bad choices. I wonder what happened to her!”

GAME

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

new concepts.

MAKE IT FUN





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B O T T O M L I N E






• John 8:2-11

LOVE NOTES“Love Notes” is an activity that uses art, creativity and fine motor skills to introduce the Bible story.

WHAT YOU NEED: Paper, envelopes, heart stickers OR stamps and ink pads, crayons or markers

WHAT YOU DO: Before the Activity: Set out the supplies for card making in the center of the table.

During the Activity: Pass out the paper and encourage the children to create a “love note” for someone. They can use the stickers or stamp pads or draw their own hearts. Encourage the children to decorate the cards as they choose. When they’ve had several minutes to work on their cards, help the children to place their cards inside the envelopes. Ask them who the card is for and write “TO: _____” and “FROM: _____” so that you can easily identify which card goes with which child at the end of the hour.

WHAT YOU SAY: During the Activity: “Have you ever received a card on your birthday or in the mail? (Pause.) How did it make you feel? (Pause.) Today I want you to create a card for someone you love. I have everything you need right here on the table.”

After the Activity: “Someone special to you is going to be so happy to receive these cards you created today! We’re going to hear a story today about a lady who had no love notes. In fact, most people didn’t love her. But there was one very special person who did!”

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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B O T T O M L I N E






• John 8:2-11

PILLOW PASS“Pillow Pass” is an activity that uses memorization to teach the Memory Verse.

WHAT YOU NEED: Heart-shaped pillow

WHAT YOU DO: Before the Activity: Have the children sit in a circle. Say the verse together as a class.

During the Activity: Give the pillow one child and direct them to pass it around the circle as they say the Memory Verse.

After the Activity: Repeat several times.

WHAT YOU SAY: Before the Activity: “Do you remember our memory verse for this month? (Pause.) I knew you did! Let’s all say it together! ‘Love each other as I have loved you,’ John 15:12. Great job!”

During the Activity: “Everyone please sit in a circle. (Hand the pillow to one of the children in the circle.) Now let’s say our verse and pass the pillow around the circle. The pillow (hold up) is a heart. A heart stands for love, and our Memory Verse tells us that Jesus loves us and we should always love each other.” (Do activity several times.)

After the Activity: “Fantastic job! Our Memory Verse tells us to love each other just like Jesus loves us. We have learned that Jesus loves us no matter what! So He wants us to love each other NO MATTER WHAT! Who does Jesus love? Jesus loves everyone!”

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.


3W E E K

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B O T T O M L I N E






• John 8:2-11

THUMBS UP / THUMBS DOWN“Thumbs Up / Thumbs Down” is an activity that uses listening and comprehension skills to review today’s Bible story.

WHAT YOU NEED: No supplies needed

WHAT YOU DO: During the Activity: Have everyone hold up his/her thumb. Explain that you will talk about today’s Bible story. Ask them to give a “thumbs up” (demonstrate this with your thumb) when something good happens and a “thumbs down” (demonstrate this with your thumb) when something bad happens.

WHAT YOU SAY: During the Activity: “Does everyone have their listening ears on and their thumbs ready? (Pause.) Great. Here we go. Today we heard a story about a woman who was in trouble. She was sad. (Thumbs down.) One day, an angry crowd came to Jesus. (Thumbs down.) They had the sad woman with them and they pushed her in front of Jesus. (Thumbs down.) The woman was sad because she had done a lot of wrong things. (Thumbs down.) No one wanted to be her friend. (Thumbs down.) In fact, everyone was mean to her. (Thumbs down.) But Jesus wasn’t mean to her. (Thumbs up.) Jesus wanted to be her friend forever. (Thumbs up.) In fact, Jesus saved her from the angry crowd that day. (Thumbs up.) Jesus told the woman that He loved her just the way she was. (Thumbs up.) He loved her and He told her that He wanted her to stop making bad choices and start doing things His way instead.” (Thumbs up.)

After the Activity: “Great job, everyone. You were really listening. I LOVE this story because it shows us that Jesus loves everyone. Jesus loves us when we make mistakes. He loves us when no one else does. 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

I EW


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• John 8:2-11

LOVE WRITING“Love Writing” is an activity that teaches fine motor and writing skills.

WHAT YOU NEED: Large cookie sheet with edges, large bag of rice or sand, and craft sticks

WHAT YOU DO: Before the Activity: Pour the rice or sand onto the cookie sheet. Make sure it is evenly spread out and the entire sheet is covered. It should be at least ¼ inch deep.

During the Activity: Encourage the children to draw a heart in the rice or sand with their finger or a craft stick. Demonstrate several times while they watch. Practice with the children by drawing hearts in the air with their fingers.

After the Activity: Allow the children to free draw in the rice or sand for a few minutes.

WHAT YOU SAY: Before the Activity: “This month we are talking about love. When we talk about love we sometimes use a heart. A heart can mean love.”

During the Activity: “Do you know how to draw a heart? (Pause.) Great! Let’s practice in the air with our fingers. (Demonstrate.) Awesome! Now we are going to draw hearts in RICE! That sounds silly, but it sounds fun too! (Demonstrate drawing a heart in the rice.) Okay, your turn!” (Allow the children to do the activity.)

After the Activity: “Great job! Your hearts were beautiful! We made hearts to show love. Jesus loves us SOOO much even if we make bad choices! He loves us no matter what! 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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• John 8:2-11

STOP FOR HUGS “Stop for Hugs” is an activity that uses gross motor, memory, and listening skills to review today’s Bottom Line.

WHAT YOU NEED: A CD player with music (we recommend this month’s song)

WHAT YOU DO: Before the Activity: Set up the CD player with music and create an open area for the children to move around in.

During the Activity: Tell the children that you will play some music as they move around the room. When the music stops, they must find a friend, give him/her a hug, and say, ‘Jesus loves everyone.’ Repeat several times until the song is finished.

WHAT YOU SAY: Before the Activity: “Today, I’m going to play some music and I want you to move around this open area. When the music stops, I want you to find a friend, give them a hug, and say, ‘Jesus loves everyone.’ Are you ready? (Pause.)

After the Activity: “Tell me: Who does Jesus love? (Pause.) Jesus loves everyone. I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you. Who does Jesus love? (Pause.) Jesus loves everyone. That’s right. He loved the woman that everyone was mean to in our Bible story today. He loves me and He loves you. He loves the people we give hugs to and the people we don’t want to give hugs to. Jesus loves everyone.”

MOVEMENT

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

MAKE IT STICK



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

3W E E K

FEBRUARY2016

Y E A R O L D S

3-5

B A S I C T R U T H




B O T T O M L I N E






• John 8:2-11

LOVE BUCKET“Love Bucket” is an activity that teaches fine motor skills and patience.

WHAT YOU NEED: “Love” and “Bucket” from the Activity Pages found on the Website, white cardstock, red tissue paper, glue, and scissors

WHAT YOU DO: Before the Activity: Copy the Activity Pages onto the white paper. Each child needs one heart and one bucket.

During the Activity: Give each child some tissue paper and a heart. Encourage the children to tear the tissue paper into small pieces and glue them to the inside of the heart.

After the Activity: Hand out the “Bucket” Activity Pages and help kids glue the heart inside the dotted heart outline.

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

WHAT YOU SAY: Before the Activity: “We have been talking about BUCKETS OF LOVE! We have so much love in our room. Jesus loves us and we all love each other!”

During the Activity: “We are going to make a project that shows our buckets of love. First we need to make the heart that shows love. (Give each child a heart and some tissue paper.) Tear the tissue paper into little pieces like this. (Demonstrate.) Then you can glue the paper to your heart.”

After the Activity: “Your hearts look wonderful! (Give each child a “Bucket” Activity Page.) Now find the heart outline on the page. Glue your heart to the outline. Perfect! Now you have buckets full of love! Who does Jesus love? Jesus loves everyone!”

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




3W E E K

FEBRUARY2016

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B A S I C T R U T H




B O T T O M L I N E






• John 8:2-11

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): “Today’s Bible story is so special. I think it’s special because it shows us how much Jesus loves every person, no matter what. Raise your hand if you’ve ever made a bad choice. (Raise your hand.) I’ve made some bad choices too. Everyone makes bad choices sometimes. Does that mean Jesus stops loving you? (Pause.) No way! Jesus still loves you, just like He loved the woman in our Bible story. She had made some very bad choices and didn’t have any friends. No one else loved her anymore. But there was one person who still loved her. Who still loved her? (Pause.) Yes! Jesus still loved her because Jesus loves everyone! Who does Jesus love?” (Pause.)

CHILDREN AND SGL: “Jesus loves everyone!”

SGL: “Who does Jesus love?” (Pause.)

CHILDREN AND SGL: “Jesus loves everyone!”

SGL: “YES! Jesus loves you and you and you … (point to each child) no matter what! Nothing will ever make Jesus stop loving you.

“Our Bible verse says that we should ‘love each other as I have loved you.’ (John 15:12, NIV) If Jesus loves everyone no matter what, does that mean WE should love everyone no matter what? (Pause.) It sure does! That can be hard to do but learning our Bible verse will help. “Let’s say our verse together with the motions.”

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.)

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.


3W E E K

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SGL: “You sound great! Now it’s time to write in our journal. Today we are going to make a list of people that we need to love no matter what. Maybe it’s someone you know that needs a friend. It could be someone that is a little hard to love that needs to know Jesus still loves them. It can be a grumpy person, a mean person, someone who doesn’t like to share, or someone who has hurt your feelings. When we pray, we can ask God to help us love these people no matter what, just like Jesus loves everyone!

(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. Let’s pray and thank God for giving us Jesus to love us no matter what and for helping us love people no matter what. 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 He loves us, even when it seems like no one else does. Thank You that nothing we do will ever make Jesus stop loving us. Help (name of child) love (person they listed) no matter what and (name of child) love (person they listed) no matter what and … (read the list you and the children made). Help us to love others the way Jesus loves us. We love You, God. You are so amazing! 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 · curriculum materials for 3-5-year-olds • 2015 orange. all...

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