WEEK JESUS WANTS TO BE MY FRIEND FOREVER....and a heart. DURING THE ACTIVITY: Place the rocks in the...

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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 LY 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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“STATEMENT OF FAITH” USER AGREEMENTOrange gladly grants permission to churches, schools, and other licensees to tailor First Look® materials to fit their unique leadership requirements, locale and format preferences, and physical environment needs. However, if you wish to edit the content substantively, including Bible stories, learning activities, scripts, and any other content in which biblical principles and concepts are presented, you are obligated to do so within the doctrinal guidelines we’ve expressed in our Statement of Faith.

S M A L L G R O U P

JESUS WANTS TO BE MY FRIEND FOREVER.

W E E K

J U LY 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 someone who made everything.

PAUL TEACHES IN ATHENS ACTS 17:16-34

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. TeachSchool DaysCreate

WORSHIP: Inviting people to respond to GodI SpyLove God and Everybody Else

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. Pass the Word VerseRock the StoryThings God Made CollageBig CityMy Teaching KitJournal and Prayer

HOME: Prompting action beyond the experienceGoing HomeParent Cue

15M I N

10M I N

10M I N

25M I N

W E E K

J U LY 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 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. TEACHW H AT Y O U N E E D : No supplies needed.

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: Encourage the children to teach each other about themselves. Have the children tell each other the following things:

• Favorite color• Favorite food• What they like to do outside• If they have a pet• If they have brothers and sisters• Favorite ice cream• Favorite animal• What they like to do with their family• Favorite thing to do at church• Favorite TV show

Be sure each child has a turn to teach others about themselves.

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 get to know each other today. We’re going to be teachers and teach others about ourselves.”

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: “First, let’s teach each other what our favorite color is. (Pause.) Great job! I love learning all about you! Next, let’s teach each other what our favorite food is. (Pause.) Yum! You all have wonderful favorite foods! Now, let’s teach each other what we like to do when we go outside.” (Continue and finish activity.)

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “That was so much fun! Today, we’ll hear a Bible story about a man who went to a city to teach people all about Jesus!”

T R A N S I T I O N : Move to Worship and Story by teaching the children about you, using the questions above.

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

to help them learn

W E E K

J U LY 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 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. SCHOOL DAYS W H AT Y O U N E E D : Books, clipboards, a white board or chalkboard, and other school related play items

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: Place all of the gathered items in your activity area.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Invite the children to use the items provided to play school. They can choose one child to act as the teacher and read to the class (the remaining friends). Encourage the children to switch roles and allow several friends to be the teacher.

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: “Raise your hand if you go to preschool? (Pause.) Yay! School is so fun. I have some things for you and your friends to play school with. Let’s take turns as the teacher so that all of our friends have a chance to lead the class.”

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “That was so fun! I love school, don’t you? In our Bible story today, we’ll hear about someone who was a teacher. Let’s pay close attention to find out who it is!”

T R A N S I T I O N : Move to Worship and Story by asking the children to walk in a line like they do at school while holding a bubble in their mouth and keeping their hands to themselves. (“Holding a bubble” means to puff out their mouths like there is a bubble inside.)

P L A Yan activity that encourages preschoolers to follow guidelines

while having fun and learning new concepts

W E E K

J U LY 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 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. CREATEW H AT Y O U N E E D : Muffin pan, pom poms, large buttons, stickers, foam pieces, crayons, ribbon, cardstock, and glue sticks

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: Place each group of items in its own muffin cup (except cardstock and glue sticks). Place the muffin tin in the middle of the activity area.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Give each child a piece of cardstock and a glue stick. Encourage the children to use the items to create anything they like on the cardstock.

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: Send home the creations with the children.

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 CREATE!”

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: “We have some really cool items here. (Point.) Let’s use them to create something amazing. You can make anything you like.”

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “I love your creations! Today, we’ll hear a Bible story about a man who taught people that God created the whole world!”

T R A N S I T I O N : Move to Worship and Story by allowing the children to create a new way to walk to story time. (Examples: hop, skip, march)

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

J U LY 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 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. PASS THE WORD VERSE W H AT Y O U N E E D : A Bible and a phone or music player for music

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: Gather the children to stand in a circle in the activity area.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Play music as you pass the Bible around the circle. Stop the music randomly. When the music stops, instruct the friend holding the Bible to open it. Then, say the memory verse together. Repeat several times.

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: (Hold up the Bible.) “Friends, can anyone tell me what this is? (Pause.) Yes, this is the Bible! It’s God’s word to us and it’s true. We find our memory verse in the Bible. It says, ‘These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,’ John 20:31. Let’s pass the Bible around the circle. When the music stops, the friend holding the Bible will open it like this (demonstrate), and we will say the verse together.”

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “That was SO fun! The Bible tells us about Jesus. When we read God’s words to us, we can believe in Jesus! 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 LY 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 20:31, NLV



B O T T O M L I N E


B A S I C T R U T H


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

of the week’s crucial concepts

25 MINUTES



2. ROCK THE STORYW H AT Y O U N E E D : Three medium-sized smooth rocks, paint pens or markers, and a bag or basket

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: Draw one picture on each rock: a person, the world, and a heart.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Place the rocks in the basket or bag. Have the children sit with you with the basket in the middle. Retell the Bible story. When you get to the three things that Paul taught, remove a rock from the basket and tell the part that is represented on the rock.

• Person- God made people.• Heart- God gave us Jesus.• World- God made everything in the world.

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: Let the children retell the story to each other, using the rocks.

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: “We heard a wonderful Bible story today. We’ll use these rocks to tell our Bible story.”

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Paul went to a city where the people did not believe in Jesus. So, Paul taught the people about Jesus! He told the people that they should not believe in statues and that they should believe in the one true God. Let’s choose a rock to see what Paul taught the people. (Choose a rock.) This rock has a heart on it. Paul told the people that God loves us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, just for us! Let’s choose another rock. (Choose a rock.) This rock has a person on it. Paul told the people that God made all of the people. EVERYONE! Let’s see what the last rock has on it. (Pick up the last rock.) This rock has a world on it. Paul told the people that God made the WHOLE WORLD!

“Now, you may use the rocks to tell each other all about our Bible story.” (Finish activity.)

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Paul taught all of the people that they can believe in Jesus! 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 LY 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 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. THINGS GOD MADE COLLAGEW H AT Y O U N E E D : A large piece butcher paper; crayons; gardening, food, and animal magazines; scissors; glue sticks; and sticky tack or wall tape

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: Place the butcher paper and crayons on the table. Cut out several pictures of things that God made from the magazines. Place the cutouts and glue sticks on the table.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Encourage the children to draw things God has made and glue magazine pictures onto the butcher paper to create a collage.

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: Gather all of the supplies to set aside. Hang the collage the children created on a focal wall.

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: “Everywhere we look, we can spy things God made! Let’s make a collage of things God made. You can select a picture or two to glue to the page, or use the crayons to draw some things God made!”

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “I spy so many things God made! I spy (point to the collage and name things you spy that God made). Paul told the people in Athens that God made the world and that God made people—including you! Paul told the people about Jesus so they could believe in him. Jesus wants to be my friend forever. Tell me, 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 LY 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 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. BIG CITYW H AT Y O U N E E D : “Big City” Activity Page, cardstock, and wall tape

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 “Big City” onto the cardstock and tape it to the wall at preschooler level.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Invite the children to go the “city” in different ways: hop, skip, crawl, etc. Repeat as desired.

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 go to the city just like Paul did in our Bible story.” (Point to the picture.)

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: “First, let’s hop to the city. (Do activity.) Great job! Now, let’s skip to the city! (Continue with different movements as time and interest allow.)

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “That was so much fun! Paul went to the city to tell everyone that they can 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 LY 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 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. MY TEACHING KIT W H AT Y O U N E E D : “Teaching Aide” and “Kit Label” Activity Pages; cardstock; Avery® #5163 labels or equivalent; file folders, one per child; colorful duct tape; stickers; colorful craft tape; permanent markers; scissors; paper; and new crayons, one per child

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 “Teaching Aide” on cardstock and cut on the dotted lines, one set per child. Copy “Kit Label” on the label paper, one label per child. Write child’s name in the blank.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Help children tape the sides of the file folder with strips of duct tape. Have children decorate their folder with craft tape and stickers then add the label to the front. Encourage children to assemble their kits with paper, stickers, a crayon, and the “Teaching Aide” images.

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: Talk about how Paul taught others about Jesus so they could believe in Him, and we can, too.

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 heard how Paul traveled to a city called Athens. While he was there, he taught the people all about Jesus. Let’s make a teaching kit of our own to help us be like Paul.”

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: “The first thing we need to do is to tape the sides of your folder together like this. (Demonstrate.) Great, now you can use the stickers and craft tape to decorate. (Pause.) Everyone needs a label for the front of your kit. (Hand out labels with their names written in the blanks.)

Now, we can assemble the kits. You need some paper and a crayon. (Give each child some paper and one crayon.) You need stickers. (Give each child some stickers.) And you need the story pictures. (Give each child a set of the story pictures.) There is a picture of Jesus inside a heart, because God gave us His Son, Jesus. And a picture of the world because God made the whole world and everything in it. There’s a picture of a person because God made people to know Him. Then there’s a note on how to use your amazing teaching kit. Put everything inside your folder. (Pause.) Now, you are all set!”

L I V E F O R G O D


W E E K

J U LY 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 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



A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Paul believed in Jesus. He told everyone that Jesus is alive and wants to be their friend forever. When Paul was in Athens, he told the people they should worship the one true God—the God who made everything—instead of worshipping statues made of stone. The people wanted to know more, so Paul told them how God made the whole world and everything in it. The sky, water, sun, moon, stars, trees, flowers, birds, fish, animals—God made all of it! The people were amazed and wanted Paul to tell them more.

“Paul told them how God made people. He told them how God made all people to know Him. Paul told the people about Jesus. He told them that Jesus is God’s Son. Jesus is alive and wants to be their friend forever! When Paul was finished talking, some of the people believed in Jesus! The good news is that EVERYONE can 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 LY 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 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’ll walk like our favorite animals to our Small Group spot. Hmm . . . let’s think for a second. What is your favorite animal, and how does it walk? (Pause.) Are you thinking about your favorite animal? Are you thinking about how it walks? (Pause.) Great! Walk like your favorite animal, and follow me! (Walk like an animal as you lead the children to your Small Group spot.)

“Here we are! Now, let’s be people and sit down so we can 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 a man named Paul. Paul went to a city called Athens so he could teach the people about God and His Son, Jesus. He taught them that God made the whole world and everything in it, including people. He taught them that God loves people so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to be their friend forever. And guess what? A lot of the people believed in Jesus! You can read all about it in the Bible. (Hold up the Bible.)

“Paul made sure to write down some of his story so you and I can believe in Jesus, too. 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! Our Bible verse even says that . . . (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 God, John 20:31. (Close Bible and lay it down.)

“All of the stories in the Bible were written so that you and you and you (point to each child as you say, ‘you’) can believe in Jesus. Let’s stand up and say that verse together with the motions.”

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 LY 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



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 the motions a few times.)

S G L : “I am so proud of you! You sound great! (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.)

“God made the whole world and everything in it, including you and me. That’s a lot of amazing things! I know it will be hard to pick just one thing, but I want us to make a list of our favorite things God made. When I say your name, tell me one thing that God made that you just really love.

(Say each child’s name and write down what they say. Remember to print the names so the children can recognize their names and the letters.)

“This is an amazing list! We have food, animals, nature, and all kinds of wonderful things! 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, there is no one else like You. Only You could make the whole world and everything in it. Only You could make people. Only You could make all of space and the stars, sun, moon, and planets. You are AMAZING, God! We want to thank You for some of our favorite things. [Child’s name] really likes [item listed]. [Child’s name] really likes [item listed]. (Continue with each child and what they listed). And most of all, thank You for loving us so much that You gave us Jesus. 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....and a heart. DURING THE ACTIVITY: Place the rocks in the...

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