week jesus wants to be my friend forever....forever. t rt g. a . .to. 2 prelude social worship story...

©2020 The ReThink Group. All rights reserved. www.ThinkOrange.com

USER AGREEMENTTEAM

CEOReggie Joiner

DIRECTOR OF MESSAGINGKristen Ivy

DIRECTOR OFPRESCHOOL STRATEGYBrittany Compton Robertson

DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUMKathy Hill

DESIGN AND BRAND MANAGERSharon van Rossum

CREATIVE TEAMBrittany Compton RobertsonKathy HillAutumn WardAshley HiersDonna HighSharon van Rossum Deb Springer McKenzie CauseyMissy Purcell

WRITERSDonna HighEmily MeredithAutumn WardAshley Hiers

W E E K

J U N E 2 0 2 0

TWOY E A R - O L D S

3-5

Scripture quotations marked (NLV) are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, New Life Version. Copyright © 1969-2003 by Christian Literature International, P.O. Box 777, Canby OR 97013. Used by permission.

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S M A L L G R O U P

JESUS WANTS TO BE MY FRIEND FOREVER.

W E E K

J U N E 2 0 2 0


3-5S M A L L G R O U P

S M A L L G R O U P

B I B L E S T O R Y

I spy Jesus is alive!

EASTER MATTHEW 26—28;

JOHN 21:1-14

M E M O R Y V E R S E

“These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the

Christ, the Son of God.”

JOHN 20:31, NLV

K E Y Q U E S T I O N

Who can believe in Jesus?

B O T T O M L I N E

I can believe in Jesus.

B A S I C T R U T H

Jesus wants to be my friend forever.

©2020 The ReThink Group. All rights reserved. www.ThinkOrange.com 2

PRELUDE SOCIAL WORSHIP STORY GROUPS HOME

PRELUDE: Setting the tone for the experienceFor Leaders OnlyMonthly OverviewCreate the Environment

SOCIAL: Providing time for fun interactionOffer one or more of these activities as preschoolers arrive. ChecklistFood PrepRock Bin

WORSHIP: Inviting people to respond to GodJesus Loves Me RemixHe’s Alive Oh Yeah

STORY: Communicating God’s truth in engaging waysIntroductory SketchBible StoryPrayer

GROUPS: Creating a safe place to connectOffer as many of these activities as your time, facilities, resources, and leadership allow. Memory Verse CrawlJesus Is AliveHide-n-SeekFreeze DanceBible Foam BookmarksJournal and Prayer

HOME: Prompting action beyond the experienceGoing HomeParent Cue

15M I N

10M I N

10M I N

25M I N

This symbol indicates an activity with potential allergens. Be sure to post allergy alert sign and inform parents at drop-off.

W E E K

J U N E 2 0 2 0



S M A L L G R O U P

B I B L E S T O R Y



JOHN 21:1-14




JOHN 20:31, NLV



B O T T O M L I N E


B A S I C T R U T H


15 MINUTES



1. CHECKLISTW H AT Y O U N E E D : “Checklist” and “Food Pictures” Activity Pages, cardstock, wall tape, and preschool-sized pencils or washable markers

W H AT Y O U D O : B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: Copy “Checklist” onto cardstock and cut apart, one half page per child. Copy “Food Pictures” onto cardstock and cut on dotted lines, one set per small group. Hang “Food Pictures” at preschooler level all around the activity area.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Give each child a checklist and a pencil or marker. Invite the children to walk around the activity area and look for the pictures on their checklist. Tell them to place a checkmark by each picture on their checklist that they find. Continue the activity until every child has a checkmark by each item on their checklist.

W H AT Y O U S AY: B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: “I spy FOOD all over our room!”

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Here is a checklist (hold up) of all of the pictures around our room. You can play ‘I spy,’ and when you find a food, place a checkmark next to that food. Let’s try one together! The first picture on our checklist is a cheeseburger. Let’s find the cheeseburger. (Do activity.) Nice work! Now, place a checkmark next to the cheeseburger on the checklist. Great job! Let’s find the other foods.” (Finish activity.)

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “You found all of the food on your checklist! Nice work! Today, we will hear a Bible story about a special meal with a special person.”

T R A N S I T I O N : Move to Worship and Story by pretending to eat as you walk to the story area.

M O V Ean activity that uses a preschooler’s natural desire to move

to help them learn

W E E K

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S M A L L G R O U P

B I B L E S T O R Y



JOHN 21:1-14




JOHN 20:31, NLV



B O T T O M L I N E


B A S I C T R U T H


15 MINUTES



2. FOOD PREP Be sure to list the items you will be using today on the “Allergy Alert Poster” and post it at the door to your room.

W H AT Y O U N E E D : “Allergy Alert Poster;” cardstock; Play-Doh® in various colors; plastic or wooden rolling pins; plastic knives or similar tools for Play-Doh shaping; and plastic tablecloths

NOTE: One cheaper option for rolling pins is to cut a dowel rod into 6-inch sections and sand the ends.

W H AT Y O U D O : B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: Copy the “Allergy Alert Poster” on cardstock and hang on the door. Cover the tables with the tablecloths. Set a lump of Play-Doh at each spot at the table. Set the rolling pins and other Play-Doh tools in the center of the table.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Instruct the children to use the tools provided to make food out of their Play-Doh. Encourage them to think of their favorite food then shape it with the tools.

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: Collect Play-Doh and return it to the airtight containers. Gather all Play-Doh shaping tools and set aside to be washed later.

W H AT Y O U S AY: B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: “What is your favorite food? Sometimes our moms or dads make our favorite foods to celebrate or have a special meal. I want you to shape the Play-Doh in front of you into your favorite food. You can use the rolling pins to roll out your Play-Doh. Then, cut it out or shape your Play-Doh with your hands.”

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “All of the Play-Doh food creations are making me hungry! In today’s Bible story, we’ll hear about a special meal with a special person. Let’s go!”

T R A N S I T I O N : Move to Worship and Story by calling out different foods. Children will give a thumbs up is they like it and a thumbs down if they don’t. Examples: macaroni and cheese, apples, broccoli, cookies, peas, chicken, bananas, yogurt.

P L A Yan activity that encourages preschoolers to follow guidelines

while having fun and learning new concepts

W E E K

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S M A L L G R O U P

B I B L E S T O R Y



JOHN 21:1-14




JOHN 20:31, NLV



B O T T O M L I N E


B A S I C T R U T H


15 MINUTES



3. ROCK BIN W H AT Y O U N E E D : Medium-sized tub or bin; eight to ten rocks of different sizesW H AT Y O U D O : B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: Place all of the rocks inside the bin.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Challenge the children to take out the rocks one by one and put them in a line from smallest to largest. Continue the activity until every rock has been removed from the bin.

W H AT Y O U S AY: B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: “I spy some stones!”

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: “These rocks are all different sizes. (Point.) Let’s take out the rocks one at a time and put them in a line from smallest to largest.”

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Nice job! This is the smallest rock (point to the first rock in the line), and this is the largest rock (point to last rock in the line). Today, in our Bible story, we will talk about a HUGE stone that was rolled away!”

T R A N S I T I O N : Move to Worship and Story by pretending to push a large stone as you walk to the story area.

E X P L O R Ean activity that channels a preschooler’s innate curiosity into a discussion

of the week’s crucial concepts

W E E K

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S M A L L G R O U P

B I B L E S T O R Y



JOHN 21:1-14




JOHN 20:31, NLV



B O T T O M L I N E


B A S I C T R U T H



to help them learn

25 MINUTES



1. MEMORY VERSE CRAWLW H AT Y O U N E E D : A play tunnel

W H AT Y O U D O : B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: Set the tunnel on the floor of the activity area.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Line up the children on one end of the tunnel. Encourage them to crawl through, one at a time, then say the memory verse together as a group. Repeat until every child has had a turn crawling through the tunnel.

W H AT Y O U S AY:B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Friends, let’s line up at the end of our tunnel!”

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Let’s take turns crawling through the tunnel. When each friend stands up at the other end, we will say our memory verse. It says, ‘These are written (open your hands like a book) so that you (point out) may believe (point to head) that Jesus is the Christ, (point up) the Son of God.’ (Rock baby.) John 20:31. (Open hands like a book.)

“Great job! Okay, (Child’s name) crawl through the tunnel then jump up, and we’ll say our verse together.” (Repeat with each child.)

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “When you went into the tunnel, we couldn’t see you until you came out. In our Bible story, today, we heard how Jesus went away. His friends were so sad. But then, Jesus came back! Jesus is alive, and we can believe in him. Who can bel ieve in Jesus? I can bel ieve in Jesus !”

H E A R FROM GOD

M E M O R Y V E R S E R E V I E W

W E E K

J U N E 2 0 2 0



S M A L L G R O U P

B I B L E S T O R Y



JOHN 21:1-14




JOHN 20:31, NLV



B O T T O M L I N E


B A S I C T R U T H


25 MINUTES

C R E A T Ean activity that allows preschoolers to review the Bible story,

bottom line, or memory verse by creating a craft to take home



2. JESUS IS ALIVEW H AT Y O U N E E D : “Story Book” Activity Page, copy paper, and jumbo crayons

W H AT Y O U D O : B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: Copy “Story Book” on paper, one per child.

Option: Pre-fold the copies to make the story books.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Give each child a “Story Book.” Show the children how to fold the paper to make their story books. Make the crayons available. As you review the Bible story, encourage the children to color each story picture.

W H AT Y O U S AY:D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Today, we’re going to make story books to take home. Then, you can tell your family about today’s Bible story! Let me show you how to fold your paper to make your book. (Demonstrate.) Great! Now, we can read the story together while you color the pictures.

“Look at the first picture. That’s Jesus. Jesus loves everyone!

“Look at the second picture. Angry people hurt Jesus so badly that He died. Jesus’ friends buried Him in a tomb and rolled a big stone in front of it. They were very sad.

“Look at the third picture. It’s Jesus! Jesus did something only He can do. He came back!

“Now, look at the last picture. Jesus visited His friends after He came back so they could see that He is alive. Jesus is alive! And that’s why we can believe in Jesus. Jesus is alive! Who can bel ieve in Jesus? I can bel ieve in Jesus !”

T A L K A B O U T G O D

B I B L E S T O R Y R E V I E W

W E E K

J U N E 2 0 2 0



S M A L L G R O U P

B I B L E S T O R Y



JOHN 21:1-14




JOHN 20:31, NLV



B O T T O M L I N E


B A S I C T R U T H


T H I N Kan advanced activity specifically designed for older preschoolers

25 MINUTES



3. HIDE-N-SEEKW H AT Y O U N E E D : “Where Are You?” Activity Page; copy paper; and washable markers or crayons

W H AT Y O U D O : B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: Copy “Where Are You?” on paper, one per child.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Give each child a copy of “Where Are You?” and a marker or crayon. Instruct them to find the hidden pictures on the page that are shown in the picture box. (Jesus, three hearts, and a Bible.)

W H AT Y O U S AY:B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: “This is a picture of Jesus standing by the tomb, after He came back. Remember that in our story, Jesus died, but then on the third day, Jesus came back? That’s what this picture is. But guess what! There are other pictures hidden inside this big picture. Let’s play a little ‘I Spy’ and find them!”

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Place your finger on the picture box right here. (Demonstrate with an Activity Page.) What pictures do you see in the picture box? (Pause.) Yes! There’s Jesus, three hearts, and a Bible. I want you to find these pictures and circle them. Got it?”

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “You found all of the pictures. Good job! (Give two thumbs up.) We can believe that Jesus is God’s Son. We can believe that Jesus loves everyone, no matter what. And, we can believe that Jesus is alive! A lot of people saw Jesus after He came back, and they wrote down what they saw. We can read what some of them wrote in the Bible, and we can believe in Jesus, too. Who can bel ieve in Jesus? I can bel ieve in Jesus !”

L I V E F O R G O D

A P P L I C AT I O N A C T I V I T Y

W E E K

J U N E 2 0 2 0



S M A L L G R O U P

B I B L E S T O R Y



JOHN 21:1-14




JOHN 20:31, NLV



B O T T O M L I N E


B A S I C T R U T H



to help them learn

25 MINUTES



4. FREEZE DANCEW H AT Y O U N E E D : Music player and the monthly song

W H AT Y O U D O :B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: Have the children stand in front of you.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Turn the music on and ask the children to dance. After about 30 seconds, turn off the music and ask the children to stand very still or FREEZE. Ask the children to say the Bottom Line when they FREEZE. Start the music and ask the children to dance again. Repeat the activity several times in 30 second increments.

W H AT Y O U S AY: B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Let’s dance!”

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: “I’m going to turn on our song for this month. When you hear the music, start to dance. When the music stops, everyone FREEZE and say, ‘ I can bel ieve in Jesus!’ (Demonstrate.) Are you ready?” (Pause then do activity.)

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Whew! That was so much fun! God gave us Jesus, and we can all believe in Jesus! Who can bel ieve in Jesus? I can bel ieve in Jesus !”

L I V E F O R G O D


W E E K

J U N E 2 0 2 0



S M A L L G R O U P

B I B L E S T O R Y



JOHN 21:1-14




JOHN 20:31, NLV



B O T T O M L I N E


B A S I C T R U T H


25 MINUTES

C R E A T Ean activity that allows preschoolers to review the Bible story,

bottom line, or memory verse by creating a craft to take home



5. BIBLE FOAM BOOKMARKS W H AT Y O U N E E D : Foam sheets, one for every four children; foam stickers; “June Memory Verse Label” Activity Page; and Avery® #5160 labels or equivalent

W H AT Y O U D O : B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: Copy the “June Memory Verse Label” onto the label paper, one label per child. Cut the foam sheets into four strips to create a bookmark for each child. Set the foam stickers in the center of the table.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Encourage the children to use the stickers to decorate their bookmarks. Give each child a “June Memory Verse Label” to add to the back of their bookmark.

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: Set aside the bookmarks for pick up. Gather any extra stickers or foam sheets for clean-up.

W H AT Y O U S AY: B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Today, we’re going to decorate a bookmark. You can put these in your Bible to read about Jesus. I have some stickers that you can use to decorate your bookmark.”

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: “On this label is our memory verse. It says, ‘These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.’ John 20:31. It also says, ‘ I can bel ieve in Jesus!’ We can read the stories about Jesus in the Bible.”

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “I’m so glad we can read about Jesus in the Bible. All of the stories we read about Jesus are true! Jesus is alive and I can bel ieve in Jesus. Who can bel ieve in Jesus? I can bel ieve in Jesus !”

L I V E F O R G O D


W E E K

J U N E 2 0 2 0



S M A L L G R O U P

B I B L E S T O R Y



JOHN 21:1-14




JOHN 20:31, NLV



B O T T O M L I N E


B A S I C T R U T H


R E F L E C Tan activity that encourages personal application and prayer

25 MINUTES



6. JOURNAL AND PRAYER W H AT Y O U N E E D : Paperclip “Memory Verse Card” in your Bible at John 20:31. Provide a journal and a fun-shaped pen for each Small Group.

S M A L L G R O U P L E A D E R ( S G L ) : “It’s Small Group time. Today, we will count to three and hop; count to three and hop; count to three and hop. We’ll keep on counting to three and hopping until we get to our Small Group spot. Come on, count and hop with me!” Count to three out loud and hop all the way to your Small Group spot.

S G L : “One, two, three, HOP! One, two, three, HOP!

“And, here we are! Great counting and hopping. Let’s sit down and talk about today’s Bible story. One, two, three, sit down with me! (Open the Bible and lay it in front of the children.)

“Our Bible story, today, was about God’s Son, Jesus. We learned how angry people hurt Jesus so badly that He died. Jesus’ friends buried Him in a tomb, and they were very sad. But that’s not the end of the story, is it? No way! On the third day, count with me, one . . . two . . . three . . . JESUS CAME BACK! Jesus is alive, and He wants to be your friend forever!

“We know Jesus is alive, because people saw Jesus come back, and they wrote down what they saw. We can read it all right here in the Bible. (Hold up Bible.)

“We can read what Jesus said and did after He came back, and we can believe Jesus is alive, too! So, when I ask you, ‘Who can bel ieve in Jesus?’ , I want you to say, ‘ I can bel ieve in Jesus.’ Here we go! Who can bel ieve in Jesus?”

C H I L D R E N A N D S G L : “I can bel ieve in Jesus!”

S G L : “You sure can! And the Bible verse we are learning will help us remember that the stories in the Bible are written so we can believe in Jesus. It says . . . (Turn the pages of your Bible to the Memory Verse Card.)

“These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of

P R A Y T O G O D

P R AY E R A C T I V I T Y

W E E K

J U N E 2 0 2 0



S M A L L G R O U P

R E F L E C Tan activity that encourages personal application and prayer

25 MINUTES



God, John 20:31. (Close Bible and lay it down.)

“Let’s stand up and say that together with the motions.”

C H I L D R E N A N D S G L : “These are written (open your hands like a book) so that you (point out) may believe (point to head) that Jesus is the Christ, (point up) the Son of God. (Rock baby.) John 20:31.” (Open your hands like a book.)

Repeat the verse with motions a few times.

S G L : “You sound amazing! (Give each child a fist bump.)

“Now, let’s sit down so we can write in our prayer journal and talk to God. (Hold journal and fun-shaped pen.)

“Jesus came back and is alive today. He wants to be your friend forever. He wants to be (child’s name)’s friend forever and (child’s name)’s friend forever and (continue with each child). So, today I want each of you to write your name in our prayer journal. I can help you if you need it. Then, we can use your names when we pray. (Say each child’s name and let them write their name in the prayer journal.)

“You did a wonderful job. Thank you for writing your names. I am so proud of you! Would anyone like to pray before I pray?”

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

PRAYERS G L : “Dear God, thank You that Your Son, Jesus, came back and is alive today. Thank You that He wants to be everyone’s friend forever. Thank You that Jesus wants to be (child’s name)’s friend forever and (continue with each child). I pray each person here will believe in Jesus and follow Him. We love You, God. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

P R A Y T O G O D

P R AY E R A C T I V I T Y

week jesus wants to be my friend forever....forever. t rt g. a . .to. 2 prelude social worship story...

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