jesus wants to be my friend...

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Edition, Today’s English Version, Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society.

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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 • © 2017 Orange. All rights reserved. • www.ThinkOrange.com

B A S I C T R U T H


K E Y Q U E S T I O N

WHO IS THE BEST?

B O T T O M L I N E

JESUS IS THE BEST!

M E M O R Y V E R S E

“God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son.”

John 3:16, GNT

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

Jesus made the church to do great things. Peter the Rock

• Matthew 16:17-18

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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.

• More• Like a Domino• Shout It Out

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.

• Line Up Verse• Build and Tell• Whose Voice Is It?• Sticker Tag• Who Can You Tell?

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


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B A S I C T R U T H



WHO IS THE BEST?

B O T T O M L I N E

JESUS IS THE BEST!



John 3:16, GNT



• Matthew 16:17-18

MORE“More” is an activity that teaches following directions, teamwork, and listening skills while teaching a key concept of today’s Bible story.

WHAT YOU NEED: Small baby pool and ball pit balls

WHAT YOU DO:Before the Activity: Place the pool in the center of the activity area. Place two balls in the pool and spread the rest of the balls all over the floor around the pool.

During the Activity: Tell the children that you need MORE balls in the pool. Encourage the children to pick up all of the balls and place them in the pool.

After the Activity: Introduce the Bible story.

WHAT YOU SAY:Before the Activity: “OH NO! There are only two balls in the pool! (Point.) I need MORE balls in the pool. Can you please help me put MORE balls in the pool?”

During the Activity: “Let’s all work together and put MORE balls in the pool. (Do activity.) Whew! That was hard work! Thank you for working together and putting more balls in the pool. Now they are all off of the floor!”

After the Activity: “In our Bible story today, we are going to learn how MORE and MORE people learned about Jesus. Let’s get ready to hear our TRUE story from the Bible!”

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



WHO IS THE BEST?

B O T T O M L I N E

JESUS IS THE BEST!



John 3:16, GNT



• Matthew 16:17-18

LIKE A DOMINO“Like a Domino” is an activity that uses fine motor skills to introduce today’s Bible story.

WHAT YOU NEED: “Domino” Activity Page, white cardstock, scissors, dominoes (4 or 5 per child)

WHAT YOU DO: Before the Activity: Copy the “Domino” Activity Page onto cardstock and cut on dotted lines. Provide one strip per child.

During the Activity: Pass out the “Domino” strips to each child along with four or five dominoes. Point out the straight lines on the page in each shape. Encourage the children to line up their dominoes on their page. Then show them how to tap one domino at the end to see how they all fall down. Repeat lining up the dominoes and knocking them over as time and interest allow.

WHAT YOU SAY: During the Activity: “Have you ever played with dominoes before? Today, I want you to line up your dominoes on your page to see if you can make them all fall down in a line. Everyone look at your pages. Do you see the shapes? (Point to shapes.) Every shape has a straight line in it. Let’s line up your dominoes on one of those straight lines and see if we can bump one to knock the rest of them over.”

After the Activity: “When we knocked one domino over, it knocked the next one, which knocked the next one, and so on. Today, we’re going to hear about a man who told people about Jesus. Then they told people, and then they told people, sort of like these dominoes. I want you to put your listening ears on during our Bible story today so you can hear all about it!”

GAME

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

new concepts.

MAKE IT FUN





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B A S I C T R U T H



WHO IS THE BEST?

B O T T O M L I N E

JESUS IS THE BEST!



John 3:16, GNT



• Matthew 16:17-18

SHOUT IT OUT “Shout It Out” is an activity that teaches critical thinking and problem solving skills while introducing today’s Bible story.

WHAT YOU NEED: Play microphone, megaphone, paper towel tube, and a smart phone or other audio recording device

WHAT YOU DO:Before the Activity: Place the microphone, megaphone, and paper towel tube in the activity area.

During the Activity: Challenge the children to use each item to shout, “Jesus is the best.” Record each child saying it and then play it back for them to hear. Decide as a class which way is the loudest and best way to tell people that Jesus is the best. Be sure each child has a turn to say it each way.

WHAT YOU SAY:Before the Activity: “Jesus is the best!”

During the Activity: “I wonder which way is the best way to tell people that Jesus is the best? Hmmm. I have three ways here that we could try. I have a microphone (point), a megaphone (point), and a tube (point) that we can use. Let’s each say, [Bottom Line] ‘Jesus is the BEST’ in all three ways. I will record it and we can decide which way is best. Are you ready?” (Pause.) (Do activity.)

After the Activity: “That was awesome! We found the best, loudest way for us to tell others that Jesus is the best. In our story today, we are going to hear about a man who found his best way to tell others about Jesus. I cannot wait for you to find out what it was!”

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 A S I C T R U T H



WHO IS THE BEST?

B O T T O M L I N E

JESUS IS THE BEST!



John 3:16, GNT



• Matthew 16:17-18

LINE UP VERSE“Line Up Verse” is an activity that uses gross motor movements and memory skills to review this month’s memory verse.

WHAT YOU NEED: Floor tape

WHAT YOU DO: Before the Activity: In an open area of the room, use the tape to mark a line on the floor. The line should be long enough for all the children to stand on in a line, shoulder to shoulder.

During the Activity: Encourage the children to line up shoulder to shoulder on the taped line facing the same direction. Explain that you will walk down the line and gently tap each friend on the head as they say the words of the verse. If you get to the end of the line and still have words left, just turn and walk back in the other direction as you complete the verse. When finished, say, “Switch,” and instruct the children to switch to a different spot in line and repeat. Do not expect the children to say a word of the verse by themselves; just have everyone say all the words together while you tap their heads. Repeat as time and interest allow.

WHAT YOU SAY:During the Activity: “Today I want us to line up to say our memory verse. Quick, everyone come stand in a line, shoulder to shoulder, right here on this tape. (Pause as children follow directions.) Great! I will walk along the line and tap you on the head as we say the words of the verse together. Make sure you’re listening, watching, and repeating the verse. When we finish, I will say, ‘Switch!’ and I want you to quickly move to a new spot and line up again. Are you ready? (Pause.) Here we go. (Say one word each time you tap a child’s head.) God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, John 3:16. Switch!” (Repeat several times.)

After the Activity: “You really know this month’s verse! Great job, friends. God loved us SO much that He sent Jesus to be our friend forever! I’m so glad, because Jesus is the best. Who is the best? Jesus is the best!”

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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B A S I C T R U T H



WHO IS THE BEST?

B O T T O M L I N E

JESUS IS THE BEST!



John 3:16, GNT



• Matthew 16:17-18

BUILD AND TELL “Build and Tell” is an activity that demonstrates the Bible story for the children as it is being retold.

WHAT YOU NEED: “People” Activity Page, white cardstock, scissors, 20 wooden blocks, and clear tape

WHAT YOU DO:Before the Activity: Copy the “People” Activity Page onto the cardstock. You will need 20 people. Cut out each person along the dotted lines. Tape each person to a block. Stand all of the blocks up in the activity area.

During the Activity: Choose one of the people to be Peter. Hold the Peter block and move it toward one of the other blocks and then say, “Jesus is the best!” Then move that block to the center of the area. Repeat with all of the blocks and begin stacking the blocks that Peter told about Jesus into the form of a church building. Continue until all of the blocks have been told about Jesus and you have built a church. Place the Peter block at the top of your church.

WHAT YOU SAY:Before the Activity: “In our story today, Peter (hold up Peter block) told everyone about Jesus.”

During the Activity: “He told one person first (hold Peter towards a block) that Jesus is the best! (Move that block to center.) Then he told another person (move toward second block) that Jesus is the best! (Stack the second block on top of the first one.) Then he told another person and another. (Repeat with the rest of the blocks and stack them all to build a church, putting Peter on top.) He told so many people about Jesus that he made the first church!” (Point to the church.)

After the Activity: “Jesus wants to be everyone’s friend forever! And He wants us to tell everyone about Him, just like Peter did. We should tell everyone that Jesus is the best! Who is the best? Jesus is the best!”

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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B A S I C T R U T H



WHO IS THE BEST?

B O T T O M L I N E

JESUS IS THE BEST!



John 3:16, GNT



• Matthew 16:17-18

WHOSE VOICE IS IT? “Whose Voice Is It?” is an activity that uses listening and critical thinking skills to review today’s Bible story.

WHAT YOU NEED: A smart phone, a piece of paper, and a pen

WHAT YOU DO: During the Activity: Record each child on the voice memo app on your smart phone saying, “Jesus is the best!” Make sure to number each memo and write down each child’s name so you can keep track of whose voice is whose. Then play each memo aloud for the children to see if they can identify the voice they hear.

WHAT YOU SAY:During the Activity: “Today I want to see how well you know each other’s voices! First, I’ll record each of you saying, ‘Jesus is the best!’ Then I’ll play each person’s recording and we’ll see if you can recognize which friend’s voice it is.”

After the Activity: “Wow! You did a great job recognizing your voices! And you are right; Jesus is the best! Peter built the church by telling others that Jesus is the best and you can tell others that too! Who is the best? Jesus is the best!”

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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B A S I C T R U T H



WHO IS THE BEST?

B O T T O M L I N E

JESUS IS THE BEST!



John 3:16, GNT



• Matthew 16:17-18

STICKER TAG “Sticker Tag” is an activity that teaches large and fine motor skills and teamwork.

WHAT YOU NEED: Sheets of heart stickers (1 sheet per child)

WHAT YOU DO:Before the Activity: Guide the children to stand in front of you.

During the Activity: Give each child a sheet of stickers. Encourage the children to give each of their friends a sticker and say, “Jesus is the best!” Each child should have a sticker from each of the other children.

WHAT YOU SAY: Before the Activity: “Jesus IS the best! Let’s tell everyone that!”

During the Activity: (Give each child a sheet of stickers.) “Tell all of your friends that Jesus is the best and then give them a sticker. (Do activity.) Telling everyone about Jesus is so much fun!”

After the Activity: “Jesus wants us to tell everyone that He wants to be their friend forever! Peter did such a great job telling about Jesus and we can too. We should tell all of our friends and family that Jesus is the best! Who is the best? Jesus is the best!”

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 • © 2017 Orange. All rights reserved. • www.ThinkOrange.com

4W E E K

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B A S I C T R U T H



WHO IS THE BEST?

B O T T O M L I N E

JESUS IS THE BEST!



John 3:16, GNT



• Matthew 16:17-18

WHO CAN YOU TELL? “Who Can You Tell?” is an activity that uses fine motor skills, critical thinking, and creativity to review today’s Bible story.

WHAT YOU NEED: “Jesus Cutout” (from Week 3) and “Story Labels” Activity Pages, white cardstock, Avery® labels #5160 or equivalent, craft sticks (3 per child), construction paper in any color (1 piece per child), envelopes (1 per child), heart stickers, glue sticks, and markers

WHAT YOU DO: Before the Activity: Copy the “Jesus Cutout” from Week 3 onto white cardstock and cut apart. Provide one cutout per child. Lay the markers in the center of the table. Copy the “Story Labels” Activity Page onto the labels so each child will have one.

During the Activity: Give each child three craft sticks to draw faces on with the markers. Give them a cutout to color. Then pass out a piece of construction paper and an envelope to each child. Encourage the children to glue the envelope (make sure they can still open and close it) to the bottom half of the page and the Jesus cutout to the top of the page. Pass out a “Story Label” to each child to place at the bottom along with some heart stickers. They may place the stickers anywhere they choose. Encourage them to place their craft sticks into the envelopes.

WHAT YOU SAY: During the Activity: “Today we’re going to make a craft to help us remember to tell others that Jesus is the best. I want you to draw some faces on each of your craft sticks. These can be the faces of friends or family. You can tell these friends that Jesus is the best! Then I want you to color these cutouts. (Hold up cutout.) You will glue this to the top of the page and the envelope to the bottom. Then you can put your craft sticks into the envelope! I also have some stickers you can use to decorate your pages.” (Help children with the craft.)

After the Activity: “Great job making your crafts, everyone! They look great. When you look at these craft stick faces, remember to tell these friends and/or family members that Jesus is the best. Tell me again: Who is the best? Jesus is the best. That’s right!”

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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B A S I C T R U T H



WHO IS THE BEST?

B O T T O M L I N E

JESUS IS THE BEST!



John 3:16, GNT



• Matthew 16:17-18

SMALL GROUP TIMEWHAT YOU NEED: Paperclip “Memory Verse Card” (from the Week One Activity Pages on the Website) in your Bible at John 3:16. Provide a journal and a fun-shaped pen for each small group.

SMALL GROUP LEADER (SGL): “Today we heard about how Jesus told Peter He was going to build His Church. Jesus wasn’t talking about a building with windows and walls. Jesus was talking about people—people like you and me! Every person who follows Jesus is a part of His Church. It’s like the Church is one big family. Every time a person follows Jesus, the Church gets bigger! I love it! Jesus really is the best! Who is the best?”

CHILDREN AND SGL: “Jesus is the best!”

SGL: “One more time! Who is the best?”

CHILDREN AND SGL: “Jesus is the best!”

SGL: “Yes He is! And we want all of our family and friends to know that Jesus is the best so they can be a part of the Church. One way we can let them know is by telling them the Bible verse we’ve been learning.

(Open Bible to memory verse card.)

“Our verse says (read verse from the Bible): God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, John 3:16. Now let’s say it with the motions.”

CHILDREN AND SGL: “God (point up) loved (hug yourself) the world (raise your arms overhead to form a circle) so much (stretch your arms out as far as possible) that He gave (place your hands together with palms up in front of you as if you’re offering something) His only (point up) Son (hold your arms as if you’re cradling and rocking a baby), John 3:16.” (Open your hands like a book.) (Repeat several times.)

SGL: “Perfect! I am so proud of you! Now it’s time to come sit with me so we can write in our prayer journal and talk to God. Today we’re going to make a list of people we want to tell about Jesus. Telling people about Jesus is how the Church

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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gets bigger!

(Open prayer journal and hold your fun pen.)

“When I say your name tell me a person you want to tell about Jesus. I’ll write down what you say and we can use our list when we pray.

(Write each child’s name and what they say beside their name. Remember to print the words they say so the children can recognize their names and the letters.)

“Thank you for helping me make this list of people. Would anyone like to pray before I pray?

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

“Now I will pray.”

PRAYERSGL: “Dear God, thank You for giving us Jesus to be our friend forever. Thank You that He is building His Church and we get to be a part of it. Please help us to tell everyone we know that You love us so much You gave us Your Son. Help [child’s name] tell [name of person he listed] that Jesus is the best and . . . (repeat for each child). We want everyone to know that Jesus is the best! 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...

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