Explore the Bible: Kids Preview Guide

PREVIEW GUIDE

Kids

EXPLORERS WANTED!

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Explore the Bible

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Fall 2017

FROM the

EDITOR

Whether we choose to open a digital version of the Bible or flip through gold-leafed pages wrapped in a leather-bound cover, many of us have easy access to Scripture. We choose from various translations, in-depth study Bibles, devo-filled versions, age group-focused editions, and trendy covers. I can’t help but wonder if our many options and easy access to these divine words makes us, on occasion, take God-breathed lessons for granted.

The Bible is the inspired, inerrant, Word of God. When we read the Bible, we are reading the words God inspired men to write. As stated in 2 Timothy 3:16, all of Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training. With this in mind, we should hold God’s Word in high esteem. We should desire to lead boys and girls to know about their Bible and appreciate the value it holds. As they encounter more Scripture and grow in Bible skills, they can grow into mature disciples with an everlasting love of the living Word of God. Explore the Bible: Kids is a book-by-book study of God’s Word that helps babies through preteens dig deep into the Bible and uncover truths from each book. Over the course of three years, kids will dive into every book of the Bible and learn foundational stories that show God’s love for people, as well as His plan for the redemption of sinners. Each session exposes valuable truths and focuses on key Bible skills kids will use throughout their lives. When you choose Explore the Bible, your babies through preteens will begin laying foundations of biblical literacy as they encounter Scripture week after week.

Thank you for considering using content from Explore the Bible: Kids in your ministry.

Look over the following pages to discover activities, resources, and Bible stories included in this three-year study plan. I pray your journey into God’s Word will help kids grow into biblically literate disciples who use God’s Word to share His love with others.

Tim Pollard Publishing Team Leader, Explore the Bible: Kids

LifeWay.com/Explore the Bible

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HOW WILL THIS HELP OVERVIEW

SESSION FOCUS

EXPLORE THE BIBLE TEXT CONNECTION

TEXT TRUTH God made everything.

Genesis 1:1–2:2 leads us to know that God created everything and has a plan for His creation. God’s original creation and plan for people was “very good.”

BIBLE STORY Genesis 1:1–2:2

Session 1: God’s Beautiful Creation

1

God’s Beautiful Creation

FOR THE LEADER

Genesis 1:1–2:2 God is sovereign over the entire universe. The vastness of the universe is almost beyond our ability to conceive. Just our solar system is so large that it takes 248 years for Pluto to make one revolution around the sun. Our sun is only one star in this galaxy, the Milky Way, which consists of about 100 billion stars. Furthermore, the universe consists of billions of galaxies, each one of which has billions of stars. That makes us feel very small, but it also helps us to see how great God is.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” is the first statement of the Bible. Most ancient near eastern cultures had some sort of myth describing the beginnings of creation, usually involving divine beings and conflict. But the Bible offers truth in only seven Hebrew words. That opening statement shows how biblical faith differs from other worldviews. For example, this statement contrasts with atheism because it asserts the existence of God. This first verse also conflicts with polytheism because it declares the existence of only one God. It contradicts naturalism, or materialism, because it shows that the forces of nature are not all that exists—God exists, and He is divine and separate from the world. Furthermore, nature is not divine; the real God is not in nature but over nature, calling it into existence.

The Bible claims that the universe did not begin by chance, but by design. That idea is compellingly logical. We know that when we see a design, someone designed it. Look at the document you are reading. It is highly unlikely you would conclude it came to be by chance.

It is irrational to believe that somehow ink and paper accidentally combined to form this book. Since it has a design, we know someone designed it intentionally. Look at the created order. We are surrounded by design. To believe that nature, with all its complexity, came into being by chance is against everything we know about design. The universe is the intentional creation of a designer, and the Bible reveals Him as the one true God.

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Explore the Bible: Preschool Leader Guide

1.Increase Biblical Literacy

To counteract the generational move away from biblical literacy, Explore the Bible incorporates activities and lessons based on Bible Skills For Kids™. We are committed to building kids up in the Word to help them develop into life-long, biblically literate disciples.

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CHRIST IN CONTEXT Genesis is a book about beginnings—the beginning of the world, the beginning of a people chosen by God, and the beginning of God’s plan to restore all people to Him through His Son, Jesus.

BIBLE SKILLS • Touch, hold, and turn pages of the Bible.

• Hear names of some of the books in the Bible.

ARRIVAL ACTIVITIES (5 MINUTES) As preschoolers arrive, offer choices of self-guided activities that set the stage for Bible explorations.

1 Trace letters to write the words Genesis and Bible.

2 Make a sticker

Tools: Bible, Genesis Tracing Guide (Enhanced CD), crayons or colored pencils

Tools: Bible, construction paper, colorful nature stickers, washable markers or crayons

picture featuring animals, plants, people.

3 Sort daytime and nighttime pictures.

• The Book of Genesis goes on to show that God’s plan was thwarted when His creation chose to sin. God needed to rescue His people from sin.

• In the Book of Exodus, God provided a plan to rescue people, and He shared that plan with Moses. God revealed His covenant name, “I AM WHO I AM.” God is both Creator and Deliverer.

• In creation, God provided everything people would need to live fruitful, productive, God-honoring lives. Likewise, God provided all that Moses needed in order to confront Pharoah and lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt.

Tools: Bible with ribbon placed at Genesis 1, picture cutouts of daytime and nighttime activities, a yellow piece of paper and a black piece of paper FAMILY AT HOME

▸▸ After everyone has had an opportunity to do one or more arrival

activities, direct preschoolers to Exploration Stations.

Print this week’s devotional page to give to families.

BIBLE SKILLS Session 1: God’s Beautiful Creation

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KIDS

FOR

Session

BIBLE VERSE Genesis 1:1

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (CSB)

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2.Read Scripture Book-by-book

Kids will experience the whole of God’s Word as they study the Scriptures one book at a time. Over the course of three years, kids will learn truths from all 66 books.

3.Bring the Bible to Life

Each session of Explore the Bible brings the Bible to life through rich study and engaging objects, equips kids with foundational Bible knowledge and skills, and encourages them to live what they learn everywhere they go.

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CREATION

DNA is huge and you have a lot of it wrapped up in your body.

If you could unravel all of the DNA in your cells, it would stretch between planet Earth and the sun 100 times!

Who created your DNA?

IT. HING AND RULES OVER GOD CREATED EVERYT YOU KNOW the Euphrates DID & S TIGRI is the longest river in western EUPHRATES

Asia? The Tigris and Euphrates were part of the garden of Eden.

RIVERS

DNA

HUMAN BODY

1

FACTS

CREATION

Your skull is made up of 22 different bones.

Use the code to discover some of things God created.

What is your favorite creation?

AMAZING CREATIONS CODE -..

---

...-

...

..-

-.

--.

..

.-.

.-

5 Your heart beats about 100,000 times a day.

..-.

-

.-.

.

.

...

.-.

.-

...

...

.-.

.-

.--.

3

.

..-.

...

7

.

A .B -...

C -.-.

D -..

E. F ..-.

G --.

H ....

I ..

2

Your brain can be MORE ACTIVE when you’re ASLEEP than when you’re awake.

Review the days of creation by solving the maze.

FINISH BIBLE PASSAGE: GENESIS 1—2

.

--.

--.

Your teeth are as strong as a SHARK’S TEETH.

MAZE

J .--K -.L .-..

M -N -.

O --P .--.

Q --.R .-.

S ...

TU ..V ...W .-X -..Y -.-Z --..

You have 26

DIFFERENT BONES in

each foot.

Together, your two feet contain nearly 25% of the bones in your entire body.

DAY 6

DAY 3

4

MEMORY VERSE: GENESIS 1:1

The length of your arms stretched out is about equal to your height.

It takes your body about 12 HOURS to digest food.

DAY 5

6

DAY 2

START

8 Your BIG TOE helps keep your whole body balanced.

DAY 1

WORD TO KNOW Eden (EE duh n)

DAY 4

4

5

LifeWay.com/Explore the Bible

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HOW IT WORKS 1.Book-by-book Study Session Session 1: God’s Beautiful Creation

1

Kids will focus on one book of the Bible at a time, studying all of the Bible in three years.

God’s Beautiful Creation

1

FOR THE LEADER

Genesis 1:1–2:2 God is sovereign over the entire universe. The vastness of the universe is almost beyond our ability to conceive. Just our solar system is so large that it takes 248 years for Pluto to make one revolution around the sun. Our sun is only one star in this galaxy, the Milky Way, which consists of about 100 billion stars. Furthermore, the universe consists of billions of galaxies, each one of which has billions of stars. That makes us feel very small, but it also helps us to see how great God is.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” is the first statement of the Bible. Most ancient near eastern cultures had some sort of myth describing the beginnings of creation, usually involving divine beings and conflict. But the Bible offers truth in only seven Hebrew words. That opening statement shows how biblical faith differs from other worldviews. For example, this statement contrasts with atheism because it asserts the existence of God. This first verse also conflicts with polytheism because it declares the existence of only one God. It contradicts naturalism, or materialism, because it shows that the forces of nature are not all that exists—God exists, and He is divine and separate from the world. Furthermore, nature is not divine; the real God is not in nature but over nature, calling it into existence.

The Bible claims that the universe did not begin by chance, but by design. That idea is compellingly logical. We know that when we see a design, someone designed it. Look at the document you are reading. It is highly unlikely you would conclude it came to be by chance.

It is irrational to believe that somehow ink and paper accidentally combined to form this book. Since it has a design, we know someone designed it intentionally. Look at the created order. We are surrounded by design. To believe that nature, with all its complexity, came into being by chance is against everything we know about design. The universe is the intentional creation of a designer, and the Bible reveals Him as the one true God.

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CIRCLE TIME

CIRCLE TIME (10-15 MINUTES, DEPENDING ON YOUR AGE GROUP) GATHER

OPTIONS

• Walk around the room and invite preschoolers to complete their activities and join you in the Circle Time area.

• When children are seated, ask them to play a game. Tell the children to stand up, turn around, hop twice, wave to a friend, clap their hands, then sit down.

Explore the Bible: Preschool Leader Guide

HEAR THE BIBLE STORY

1. Arrival Activities 2. Circle Time 3. Exploration Stations

OR 1. Arrival Activities 2. Exploration Stations 3. Circle Time

• Remark: “Thank you for following directions. That was fun! God made you to move, didn’t He? God made people, and He made other things.

Can someone tell me something God made?” After children respond, open the Bible to Genesis 1.

TOOLS

• Tell the Bible story. Show children the Story Picture.

• Lead preschoolers to name uses for the water God made. Sing a song about the water, land, and animals. To the tune “God Is So Good,” sing: “God made the water, God made the land, God made the animals, He’s so good to us.”

2. Bible Skills

Each session, boys and girls will dig deep into their Bible and use one or two skills related to Bible Skills for Kids.

• Ask each preschooler to name his favorite animal. If the animal makes a sound, ask the child to mimic it. Thank God for ears to hear the animals.

2

• Bibles • Activity Page • cards with the word Genesis printed on them (1 card for each child)

PACK ITEM 1 Story Picture: God’s World

PRACTICE BIBLE SKILLS • Distribute Bibles to the children. (If preschoolers brought Bibles, direct them to get their Bibles at this time.)

• Give every child a card with the word Genesis printed on it. Say: “The very first book in the Bible is Genesis. Let’s look for that book in your Bible.”

• Ask teachers in the circle to help children turn to the Book of Genesis.

Direct children to find Genesis 1:1. Then repeat the Bible Verse together.

PRAY • Lead the group in thanking God for a beautiful world.

Session 1: God’s Beautiful Creation

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“But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

James 1:22 (CSB)

OVERVIEW

SESSION FOCUS

3. Text Truth

Each session highlights a truth that comes right from the text that helps boys and girls learn biblical truth in a whole new way.

1

3

EXPLORE THE BIBLE TEXT CONNECTION

TEXT TRUTH God made everything.

Genesis 1:1–2:2 leads us to know that God created everything and has a plan for His creation. God’s original creation and plan for people was “very good.”

BIBLE STORY Genesis 1:1–2:2 BIBLE VERSE Genesis 1:1 CHRIST IN CONTEXT Genesis is a book about beginnings—the beginning of the world, the beginning of a people chosen by God, and the beginning of God’s plan to restore all people to Him through His Son, Jesus.

BIBLE SKILLS • Touch, hold, and turn pages of the Bible.

• Hear names of some of the books in the Bible.

ARRIVAL ACTIVITIES (5 MINUTES) As preschoolers arrive, offer choices of self-guided activities that set the stage for Bible explorations.

1 Trace letters to

2 Make a sticker

Tools: Bible, Genesis Tracing Guide (Enhanced CD), crayons or colored pencils

Tools: Bible, construction paper, colorful nature stickers, washable markers or crayons

write the words Genesis and Bible.

Circle a flower.

Name the animal.

picture featuring animals, plants, people.

3 Sort daytime and nighttime pictures.

• The Book of Genesis goes on to show that God’s plan was thwarted when His creation chose to sin. God needed to rescue His people from sin.

• In the Book of Exodus, God provided a plan to rescue people, and He shared that plan with Moses. God revealed His covenant name, “I AM WHO I AM.” God is both Creator and Deliverer.

• In creation, God provided everything people would need to live fruitful, productive, God-honoring lives. Likewise, God provided all that Moses needed in order to confront Pharoah and lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt.

Tools: Bible with ribbon placed at Genesis 1, picture cutouts of daytime and nighttime activities, a yellow piece of paper and a black piece of paper FAMILY AT HOME

▸▸ After everyone has had an opportunity to do one or more arrival

activities, direct preschoolers to Exploration Stations.

Print this week’s devotional page to give to families.

Session 1: God’s Beautiful Creation

I LOVE GOD’S WORLD

Count the stars.

Draw a picture of you.

CREATION

HING AND RULES OVER GOD CREATED EVERYT YOU KNOW the Euphrates TIGRIS & DID is the longest river in western EUPHRATES

DNA

HUMAN BODY

1

© 2017 LifeWay Explore the Bible: Preschool Activity Pages

FACTS

CREATION

Your skull is made up of

2

22 different bones.

-..

---

...-

...

..-

-.

..

.-.

--.

Your teeth are as strong as a SHARK’S TEETH.

Use the code to discover some of things God created.

What is your favorite creation?

AMAZING CREATIONS CODE

Your heart beats about 100,000 times a day.

..-.

-

.-.

.

.

...

--.

.-.

.-

...

...

--.

.-.

.-

.--.

.

..-.

...

7

.

A .B -...

C -.-.

D -..

E. F ..-.

G --.

H ....

I ..

Your brain can be MORE ACTIVE when you’re ASLEEP than when you’re awake.

MAZE

Review the days of creation by solving the maze.

FINISH BIBLE PASSAGE: GENESIS 1—2

5

.

.-

3

4

DNA is huge and you have a lot of it wrapped up in your body.

If you could unravel all of the DNA in your cells, it would stretch between planet Earth and the sun 100 times!

Who created your DNA?

IT.

Asia? The Tigris and Euphrates were part of the garden of Eden.

RIVERS

J .--K -.L .-..

M -N -.

O --P .--.

Q --.R .-.

S ...

TU ..V ...W .-X -..Y -.-Z --..

You have 26

DIFFERENT

BONES in each foot.

Together, your two feet contain nearly 25% of the bones in your entire body.

7

1

DAY 6

DAY 3

4

MEMORY VERSE: GENESIS 1:1

The length of your arms stretched out is about equal to your height.

It takes your body about 12 HOURS to digest food.

DAY 5

6

DAY 2

CREATION 8

Your BIG TOE helps keep your whole body balanced.

WORD TO KNOW

START

DAY 1

(EE

Eden duhn )

DAY 4

4

GENESIS 1–2 5

Everyone has their own unique DNA!

SESSION

1

4. Family Resources

Age group resources are designed with built-in content just for parents so they will be equipped to continue the learning at home.

• Activity Pages • Explorer Guides • Family Cards • App

FAMILY BIBLE SKILLS: Place a Bible on a table. Challenge each member of the family to find Genesis 1 as fast as possible. If you have younger kids, challenge them to find any chapter of Genesis.

• What is your favorite day of creation?

• If you could create anything, what would you create?

• What did God say about His creation? See Genesis 1:31.

Additional Hour of Worship For those who desire to provide an additional hour of content that reinforces learning and provides a worship experience for preschoolers and kids, Tool Kits with Worship are available.

LifeWay.com/Explore the Bible

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INVITE YOUR LITTLEST EXPLORERS TO EXPERIENCE THE WORD.

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Explore the Bible

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PRESCHOOL

Preschool Leader Guide (Sample shown at 65% of actual size)

Leader Guide > Fall 2017 Steve Gaines, General Editor

GENESIS, ACTS, 1 SAMUEL

LifeWay.com/Explore the Bible

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Session Session 1: God’s Beautiful Creation

God’s Beautiful Creation

FOR THE LEADER

Genesis 1:1–2:2

1

God is sovereign over the entire universe. The vastness of the universe is almost beyond our ability to conceive. Just our solar system is so large that it takes 248 years for Pluto to make one revolution around the sun. Our sun is only one star in this galaxy, the Milky Way, which consists of about 100 billion stars. Furthermore, the universe consists of billions of galaxies, each one of which has billions of stars. That makes us feel very small, but it also helps us to see how great God is.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” is the first statement of the Bible. Most ancient near eastern cultures had some sort of myth describing the beginnings of creation, usually involving divine beings and conflict. But the Bible offers truth in only seven Hebrew words. That opening statement shows how biblical faith differs from other worldviews. For example, this statement contrasts with atheism because it asserts the existence of God. This first verse also conflicts with polytheism because it declares the existence of only one God. It contradicts naturalism, or materialism, because it shows that the forces of nature are not all that exists—God exists, and He is divine and separate from the world. Furthermore, nature is not divine; the real God is not in nature but over nature, calling it into existence.

The Bible claims that the universe did not begin by chance, but by design. That idea is compellingly logical. We know that when we see a design, someone designed it. Look at the document you are reading. It is highly unlikely you would conclude it came to be by chance.

It is irrational to believe that somehow ink and paper accidentally combined to form this book. Since it has a design, we know someone designed it intentionally. Look at the created order. We are surrounded by design. To believe that nature, with all its complexity, came into being by chance is against everything we know about design. The universe is the intentional creation of a designer, and the Bible reveals Him as the one true God.

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Explore the Bible

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Explore the Bible: Preschool Leader Guide

OVERVIEW

SESSION FOCUS 2

EXPLORE THE BIBLE TEXT CONNECTION

3

TEXT TRUTH God made everything.

Genesis 1:1–2:2 leads us to know that God created everything and has a plan for His creation. God’s original creation and plan for people was “very good.”

BIBLE STORY Genesis 1:1–2:2 BIBLE VERSE Genesis 1:1 CHRIST IN CONTEXT Genesis is a book about beginnings—the beginning of the world, the beginning of a people chosen by God, and the beginning of God’s plan to restore all people to Him through His Son, Jesus.

BIBLE SKILLS • Touch, hold, and turn pages of the Bible.

• Hear names of some of the books in the Bible.

ARRIVAL ACTIVITIES (5 MINUTES) As preschoolers arrive, offer choices of self-guided activities that set the stage for Bible explorations.

1 Trace letters to

2 Make a sticker

Tools: Bible, Genesis Tracing Guide (Enhanced CD), crayons or colored pencils

Tools: Bible, construction paper, colorful nature stickers, washable markers or crayons

write the words Genesis and Bible.

picture featuring animals, plants, people.

3 Sort daytime and nighttime pictures.

Tools: Bible with ribbon placed at Genesis 1, picture cutouts of daytime and nighttime activities, a yellow piece of paper and a black piece of paper

• The Book of Genesis goes on to show that God’s plan was thwarted when His creation chose to sin. God needed to rescue His people from sin.

• In the Book of Exodus, God provided a plan to rescue people, and He shared that plan with Moses. God revealed His covenant name, “I AM WHO I AM.” God is both Creator and Deliverer.

Features 1\ Leader Bible study prepares leaders for teaching.

2\ The Text Truth tells preschoolers the main point of the session.

3\ The Text Connection connects what boys and girls study with other relevant biblical content.

4\ The Family At Home section provides parents with resources to lead discipleship at home.

• In creation, God provided everything people would need to live fruitful, productive, God-honoring lives. Likewise, God provided all that Moses needed in order to confront Pharoah and lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt.

4 FAMILY AT HOME

▸▸ After everyone has had an opportunity to do one or more arrival

activities, direct preschoolers to Exploration Stations.

Print this week’s devotional page to give to families.

Session 1: God’s Beautiful Creation

7

LifeWay.com/Explore the Bible

11

BIBLE STORY

TEXT TRUTH God made everything.

1 GOD’S WORLD Genesis 1:1–2:2

BIBLE VERSE Genesis 1:1

LEADER TIP! Prepare to tell the Bible story in your own words. Shorten the story as necessary to match the attention span of your group of preschoolers.

Before God made the world, there was nothing except God. Then God decided to make the world.

One, two, three, four, five, six. Six days to create the world. That’s all the time it took for God to do it. God created everything you can see and even the things you cannot see.

First God made the heavens and the earth. There was no light, only darkness everywhere. God said, “Let there be light.” Suddenly there was light! Then God made daytime and nighttime.

After that, God decided to create water and sky. God told all the water to run into one place, and that is what happened. God called the waters oceans. Then God made the dry ground appear and called it land.

Next God made plants for His world. He made plants with seed. He created beautiful flowers and tall trees. Some trees had fruit. Colors everywhere!

God made two great lights—the bright sun and the shining moon. Then God made the twinkling stars. All of this was good!

What a world! It was good, but God decided to make more! God made animals—so many kinds! God made every moving creature on earth.

Finally, God made a man, then He made a woman. God told the people to live in His world and take care of it.

God made a perfect world. He said, “It is very good.”

One, two, three, four, five, six. Six days God worked. Then on day seven, God rested!

LEADER TIP You choose! Are your preschoolers ready to learn memory verses? Decide which wording of the Bible verse you want to use with your group.

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BIBLE VERSE From the Bible text:

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 Paraphrase:

In the beginning, God created the world. Genesis 1:1

Explore the Bible: Preschool Leader Guide

CIRCLE TIME

2

CIRCLE TIME (10-15 MINUTES, DEPENDING ON YOUR AGE GROUP) GATHER

• When children are seated, ask them to play a game. Tell the children to stand up, turn around, hop twice, wave to a friend, clap their hands, then sit down.

HEAR THE BIBLE STORY

1\ T he Bible story is designed to engage preschoolers in the Word.

2\ Circle Time includes suggestions for beginning class.

OPTIONS

• Walk around the room and invite preschoolers to complete their activities and join you in the Circle Time area.

Features

3\ Bible skills are included in each session to lay a foundation for biblical literacy.

1. Arrival Activities 2. Circle Time 3. Exploration Stations

OR 1. Arrival Activities 2. Exploration Stations 3. Circle Time

• Remark: “Thank you for following directions. That was fun! God made you to move, didn’t He? God made people, and He made other things.

Can someone tell me something God made?” After children respond, open the Bible to Genesis 1.

TOOLS

• Tell the Bible story. Show children the Story Picture.

• Lead preschoolers to name uses for the water God made. Sing a song about the water, land, and animals. To the tune “God Is So Good,” sing: “God made the water, God made the land, God made the animals, He’s so good to us.”

• Bibles • Activity Page • cards with the word Genesis printed on them (1 card for each child)

• Ask each preschooler to name his favorite animal. If the animal makes a sound, ask the child to mimic it. Thank God for ears to hear the animals.

PACK ITEM

PRACTICE BIBLE SKILLS

1 Story Picture: God’s World

3

• Distribute Bibles to the children. (If preschoolers brought Bibles, direct them to get their Bibles at this time.)

• Give every child a card with the word Genesis printed on it. Say: “The very first book in the Bible is Genesis. Let’s look for that book in your Bible.”

• Ask teachers in the circle to help children turn to the Book of Genesis.

Direct children to find Genesis 1:1. Then repeat the Bible Verse together.

PRAY • Lead the group in thanking God for a beautiful world.

Session 1: God’s Beautiful Creation

9

LifeWay.com/Explore the Bible

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EXPLORATION STATIONS TEXT TRUTH God made everything.

BIBLE STORY

1 EXPLORATION STATIONS (45-60 MINUTES) Set up at least three stations to provide choices of multisensory activities and movement for busy preschoolers.

God’s World Genesis 1:1–2:2

BIBLE VERSE Genesis 1:1

PACK ITEMS 1 Story Picture: God’s World 15 Genesis Letter Match 16 Days of Creation Chart 17 Days of Creation Cards

PRETEND TO CAMP Tools: Bible, small pop-up tent, a few camping items, red and yellow tissue paper, tape, plastic or paper stars, CD or app featuring nature sounds • Use the props to set up a “campsite.”

• Talk about things people see, hear, and do while camping. Children may recall family campouts.

• Play the CD. Lead children to identify nature sounds.

2 LEADER TIP! To children the world is full of amazing and exciting things!

Look at God’s world through a child’s eyes and recapture the wonder and awe. Help children learn that God made our beautiful world and He expects us to take care of it.

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• Say: “In the daytime we enjoy the sunshine and blue skies. At nighttime we see God ’s moon and stars.

Thank You, God, for Your beautiful world.”

• Open the Bible to Genesis 1. Say: “In the Book of Genesis we read that God created the world.” Point to the Bible page as you tell the Bible stor y.

Explore the Bible: Preschool Leader Guide

READ AND MATCH Tools: Bible, nature books and pictures of God’s world, Genesis Letter Match (Pack) • Talk with children about things they can see, hear, touch, feel, and enjoy in God’s world.

• Open the Bible to the Book of Genesis. Point to the word Genesis.

• Say: “Genesis is the name of the first book in the Bible. The word Genesis means ‘beginnings.’

Everything began with God.” • Lay the Genesis card on the table. Guide a child to match the letter cutouts to those on the card. Say: “You spelled the word Genesis!”

EXPLORATION STATIONS

FEEL AND GUESS Tools: Bible; tree bark, feather, blades of grass, smooth stone (golf ball size), large unshelled nuts, seashell, bell pepper or potato; tall round box with a sock covering; Allerg y Sign (Enhanced CD); Activity Page • Show the picture on the Activity Page. Lead children to identify things in God’s world. Remark: “God made a wonderful world. Everything God made is good.”

• Hold the box. Say: “I have some nature items in this box. God created each one of them. Let’s see if you can guess what they are.”

• Give each child a turn to reach her hand into the box and identify an item without looking. When she removes the item from the box, lay it aside.

• Open the Bible to Genesis 1 and tell the Bible story.

MAKE A CREATION QUILT

PLAY WITH PEOPLE FIGURES ks, toy Tools: Bible, wooden bloc ture: people figures, Story Pic cars God ’s World (Pack), toy e and trucks, masking tap tend • As children enjoy pre and cks blo the h wit play ilies. figures, talk about fam , and Say: “God made people s. ilie fam for ed nn pla He .” ple peo es God lov a • Use the tape to make Ask few roads on the floor. ns children their destinatio and what they “see” on : their driving routes. Say “God gave you eyes and .” ears to enjoy His world ry • Show children the Sto Picture. Ask a child to name something in the de picture. Say: “God ma the trees.” Thank God for items mentioned.

Tools: Bible, Bible, paper, crayons, washable markers, colored pencils, clear tape, Days of Creation Chart (Pack), Days of Creation Cards (Pack)

Features 1\ E xploration Stations include age-appropriate options for small-group activities to reinforce learning.

2\ Helpful tips give leaders ideas for classroom management or better guidance of activities.

• Show children the Creation Chart and count the letters across the page. Name the things that God made on each day of creation.

• Distribute the Creation Cards. Guide children to match the pictures to the days on which God made these things. Say: “God made everything in His world, and it was all good.”

• Show children Genesis 1 in the Bible. Remark that this is the place where we read about God’s creation.

• Invite children to choose one day of creation and draw a picture showing something God made.

• Lay drawings on a table in a quilt pattern and tape them together. Hang the “quilt” on the wall.

ask • Turn to Genesis 1 and le a child to hold the Bib while you tell the story.

Session 1: God’s Beautiful Creation

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NEXT HOUR

1 NEXT HOUR (MORE EXPLORATIONS FOR PRESCHOOLERS) OPTIONS

1. Continue activities from the first hour. (Kids learn through repetition.)

2. Try something different.

Choose two or three new activities.

ENJOY PLAY DOUGH Tools: Bible; fresh play dough; shaped cookie cutters (such as animals, stars, people); Activity Page; Allergy Sign (Enhanced CD) • As the child enjoys pressing and cutting play dough, show him the Activity Page. Point to animals or plants or water. Tell the Bible story.

• Remark: “A verse in the Bible says that in the beginning, God made the world. God’s world is wonderful.”

God made everything.

• Ask the child to name a favorite animal or food. Thank God for providing food for people and animals.

BIBLE STORY

DECORATE SHOE OUTLINES

God’s World Genesis 1:1–2:2 The Bible story is printed on the back of the Story Picture.

Tools: Bible, paper, pencil, crayons, washable markers

TEXT TRUTH

BIBLE VERSE Genesis 1:1

• Invite a child to stand on a piece of paper. Draw around the child’s shoes to make an outline.

• Give the preschooler crayons and markers to decorate his shoes.

• Talk about the first people God made. Say: “God made many things before He made people. Then He made a man, then a woman. God loved the people. God loves you.”

• Open the Bible to Genesis 1:27 and say: “This is where we read that God made people. People were God’s most special creation.”

WORK CREATION PUZZLES Tools: Bible, 2 or 3 wooden puzzles featuring God’s world, shoe box, solid-color place mats, Story Picture: God’s World (Pack Item 1) • Put all the puzzle pieces in the box and lay puzzle frames on place mats.

• Invite two children to work puzzles. Explain: “All the puzzles show things God made. The pieces for the puzzles are in the shoe box. Take turns getting pieces and deciding in which frame the pieces fit. You can work together.”

• As the children complete puzzles, tell the Bible story. Show the children the Story Picture and call on them to name things in God’s world.

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Explore the Bible: Preschool Leader Guide

NEXT HOUR

Features 1\ Next Hour suggestions are available for continued learning during a second hour.

2\ More time is set aside for Bible skills practice.

WASH VEGETABLES

SCHEDULE

Tools: Bible; shallow dishpan with small amount of water; vegetable scrubber; vegetables such as potato, carrot, bell pepper, squash, eggplant; Allergy Sign (Enhanced CD); 2 towels

• Restroom & Snack (10 min.)

• Exploration Activities (30-40 min.)

• Circle Time (10 min.)

3\ Find these same suggestions in a printable format on the Enhanced CD.

• Invite a child to wash the vegetables. As she works, ask her which vegetables she eats. Comment on the wide variety of foods God planned for us. Say: “The Bible tells us that God made plants with seed. Has your family planted a vegetable garden before?”

• Turn to Genesis 1. Say: “In the very first book of the Bible we learn that God made water. You are washing the vegetables with cool water. God also planned for people and animals to have water to drink. Isn’t God good?”

• Say a thank-you to God for His wonderful world.

CIRCLE TIME

2

LEADER TIP!

GATHER

PRACTICE BIBLE SKILLS

• Play the Enhanced CD and lead children to clap to the music.

• Pass a Bible around the group as the Enhanced CD plays. Stop the music and ask the child holding the Bible to stand. Help the child say the Bible Verse. Give every child a turn.

REVIEW THE BIBLE STORY • Say: “You listened with your ears.

God gave you ears to hear. He gave you eyes to see His world. Today you have heard a Bible story about everything God made. Let’s talk about the things God made.”

• Use the Days of Creation Chart (Pack) and Days of Creation Cards (Pack) to recall the things God made on each day of creation.

Form groups of two or three preschoolers and a teacher.

Look at the Activity Page, review the Bible story, and say the Bible verse.

PRAY • Ask children to tell their prayer requests.

• Say a simple prayer, thanking God for His beautiful world. Thank God for the Bible that helps us know that God made the world.

DON’T FORGET! Give every child this week’s Activity Page and Preschool Family Card.

3 Look for printable Next Hour helps on the Preschool Enhanced CD. Session 1: God’s Beautiful Creation

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3 Circle a flower.

Count the stars.

© 2017 LifeWay Explore the Bible: Preschool Activity Pages

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Name the animal.

I LOVEGOD’S WORLD GOD’S WORLD Draw a picture of yo

Preschool Activity Pages

.

D

ou.

Features 1\ H elp preschoolers soak in lessons by highlighting the Text Truth over and over.

SESSION 1

1 Text Truth: God made everything.

Bible Verse: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 Bible Verse Paraphrase: In the beginning, God created the world.

Genesis 1:1

GENESIS 1:1—2:2

2

2\ Provide parents with preschool-friendly Bible stories to review with their children.

3\ Reinforce learning from weekly sessions with fun activities.

For K a ids Parend nts

Before God made the world, there was nothing except God. Then God decided to make the world.

One, two, three, four, five, six. Six days to create the world.

That’s all the time it took for God to do it. God created everything you can see and even the things you cannot see.

First God made the heavens and the earth. There was no light, only darkness everywhere. God said, “Let there be light.” Suddenly there was light! Then God made daytime and nighttime.

After that, God decided to create water and sky. God told all the water to run into one place, and that is what happened. God called the waters oceans. Then God made the dry ground appear and called it land.

Next God made plants for His world. He made plants with seed.

He created beautiful flowers and tall trees. Some trees had fruit.

Colors everywhere!

God made two great lights—the bright sun and the shining moon. Then God made the twinkling stars. All of this was good!

What a world! It was good, but God decided to make more! God made animals—so many kinds! God made every moving creature on earth.

Finally, God made a man, then He made a woman. God told the people to live in His world and take care of it.

God made a perfect world. He said, “It is very good.”

One, two, three, four, five, six. Six days God worked. Then on day seven, God rested!

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Preschool Family Cards

GOD’S WORLD Genesis 1:1–2:2

Features 1\ S hare the weekly text with parents for their own Bible study.

2\ Provide short bullet points for parents to repeat as they talk to their preschoolers about the Bible story.

3\ Deliver activity suggestions to increase Bible skills throughout the week.

1

GOD’S WORLD

2

• God • God • God • God

3

BUILD A SKILL

Genesis 1:1–2:2 made made made made

the sky and water. the land and plants. birds, fish, and animals. people.

This week help your preschooler turn pages in a Bible to find the Book of Genesis. Point to the word Genesis as you say it.

SESSION 1

LEARN A VERSE This week’s Bible verse is Genesis 1:1. Read this verse to your preschooler, then help him repeat it a few times. Option: Use a simple paraphrase of the verse.

Younger Preschoolers: God made the world.

Older Preschoolers: In the beginning, God created the world.

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BUILD A FOUNDATION FOR BIBLICALLY LITERATE KIDS.

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Younger Kids Leader Guide

YOUNGER KIDS

(Sample shown at 65% of actual size)

Leader Guide > Fall 2017 Steve Gaines, General Editor

GENESIS, ACTS, 1 SAMUEL

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Kids

Features 1\ Leader Bible study prepares leaders for teaching.

Session

FOR THE LEADER

1

Creation 1

Session 1: Creation

Genesis 1–2 God is sovereign over the entire universe. The vastness of the universe is almost beyond our ability to conceive. Just our solar system is so large that it takes 248 years for Pluto to make one revolution around the sun. Our sun is only one star in this galaxy, the Milky Way, which consists of about 100 billion stars. Furthermore, the universe consists of billions of galaxies, each one of which has billions of stars. That makes us feel very small, but it also helps us to see how great God is.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” is the first statement of the Bible. Most ancient near eastern cultures had some sort of myth describing the beginnings of creation, usually involving divine beings and conflict. But the Bible offers truth in only seven Hebrew words. That opening statement shows how biblical faith differs from other worldviews. For example, this statement contrasts with atheism because it asserts the existence of God. This first verse also conflicts with polytheism because it declares the existence of only one God. It contradicts naturalism, or materialism, because it shows that the forces of nature are not all that exists—God exists, and He is divine and separate from the world. Furthermore, nature is not divine; the real God is not in nature but over nature, calling it into existence.

The Bible claims that the universe did not begin by chance, but by design. That idea is compellingly logical. We know that when we see a design, someone designed it. Look at the document you are reading. It is highly unlikely you would conclude it came to be by chance.

It is irrational to believe that somehow ink and paper accidentally combined to form this book. Since it has a design, we know someone designed it intentionally. Look at the created order. We are surrounded by design. To believe that nature, with all its complexity, came into being by chance is against everything we know about design. The universe is the intentional creation of a designer, and the Bible reveals Him as the one true God.

Session 1: Creation

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OVERVIEW

SESSION FOCUS 1

BIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 1–2 MEMORY VERSE: Genesis 1:1 TEXT TRUTH: God created everything and rules over it.

CHRIST IN CONTEXT: The Book of Genesis is a book of beginnings. In the beginning,

God created a perfect world. Sin separated mankind from God and showed that people need a Savior. God called Abram and promised him that one day his descendants would be God’s special people and one day, He would send a Messiah—Jesus—to rescue them.

2

GET STARTED TOOLS (10 MINUTES)

¨ Bible Skills: “Genesis” and “Bible Books” (Books of the Bible Posters), “Bible Book Cards” (enhanced CD), paper, marker, tape BIBLE STUDY TOOLS (35 MINUTES)

¨ Jump In: “DNA” (DVDROM) ¨ Examine the Text: Bibles, “Text Truth Strips” (Poster Pack), whiteboard, dry erase marker

¨ Video: Explore the Bible on Location video ¨ Memory Verse: “Genesis 1:1” (Poster Pack), Giant Inflatable Game Cube or a square box, “Verse Cube Directions” (enhanced CD) ¨ Prayer: Family Cards, whiteboard, dry erase marker SMALL GROUP TOOLS (30 MINUTES)

¨ Move: long sheet of paper, markers, tape ¨ Make: straws, heavyweight paper, washable paint in various colors, glue, googly eyes ¨ Explore: paper, markers or pens To order the Giant Inflatable Game Cube (Item No. 005630803), call LifeWay Customer Service at 1.800.458.2772 or order online at www.lifeway.com.

¨ Explorer Guides: Bibles, Explorer Guides, pens

NOTE: Downloadable versions of DVD items are available in the Digital Video Bundle.

Downloadable versions of enhanced CD items are available in the Music and Print Extras Bundle.

For free online training on how to lead a group, visit ministrygrid.com/web/explorethebible.

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Explore the Bible: Younger Kids

BIBLE STORY

3 GOD CREATED THE WORLD

4

Genesis 1–2 In the very beginning, there was nothing except God. Then God began to create the heavens and the earth.

God said, “Let there be light.” And there was light! God thought the light was good. He called the light “day” and the darkness “night.” This happened on the first day of creation.

The next day God said, “Let there be an expanse between the waters.” So God made the expanse. God called the expanse “sky” on the second day of creation.

On the third day of creation, God spoke and created dry land. He also created the seas. Next, God created plants and trees. God saw that everything He had created was good.

God said, “Let there be lights in the sky.” God made the sun to give light in the day and the moon and stars to give light at night. God saw that it was good and that was the end of the fourth day of creation.

Next, God created all kinds of sea creatures. Fish, dolphins, whales, stingrays and more were created to swim through the seas. He created all types of birds to fly.

Robins, cardinals, ravens, doves, and parrots were created to fly across everything God had created. That was the end of day 5.

On day 6, God created land animals. Cows, horses, lions, zebras, giraffes, and more were created by God’s words. God saw that His creation was good. God spoke again, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness. They will rule over all the animals.”

God created man in His image. God planted a garden in Eden and He placed man in the garden. God made many trees grow in the garden, including the tree of life.

Another tree grew in the garden. It was called the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

TEXT CONNECTION • Genesis 1–2 leads us to know that God created everything and has a plan for His creation. God’s original creation and plan for people was “very good.”

• The Book of Genesis goes on to show that God’s plan was thwarted when His creation chose to sin. God needed to rescue His people from sin.

Features 1\ T he Text Truth tells kids the main point of the session.

2\ Tools section tells you what to gather in one place.

3\ The Bible story is designed to engage kids in the Word.

4\ The Text Connection connects what boys and girls study with other relevant biblical content.

• In the Book of Exodus, God provided a plan to rescue people, and He shared that plan with Moses. God revealed His covenant name, “I AM WHO I AM.” God is both Creator and Deliverer.

• In creation, God provided everything people would need to live fruitful, productive, God-honoring lives. Likewise, God provided all that Moses needed in order to confront Pharaoh and lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt.

God took the man and placed Him in the garden to work the garden and watch over it. God gave man one command: “You may eat from any tree in the garden, but you may not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you do, you will certainly die.”

God also made a helper for the man—a woman. God saw all He had made and it was good.

On the seventh day, God saw that all of His work was finished and He rested.

God called it holy because He rested from His work of creation.

KEY POINTS • God created people to know and love Him. • Everything God created was perfect.

EXPLORE THE BIBLE AT HOME See the enhanced CD for additional family resources.

Session 1: Creation

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GET STARTED

1

TOOLS:

• Bible Skills: “Genesis” and “Bible Books” (Books of the Bible Posters), “Bible Book Cards” (enhanced CD), paper, marker, tape

PREPARATION: • Print Old Testament on one piece of paper and New Testament on another piece of paper. Display the signs on opposite sides of the room.

GET STARTED (10 MINUTES) BIBLE SKILLS • Mix up the “Bible Book Cards” and spread them facedown on the floor or a table in the middle of the room.

• Guide kids to spread out around the “Bible Book Cards.” Explain that when you say “start” kids will begin to turn over the cards and take them to the appropriate side of the room. Review with kids where the “Old Testament” and “New Testament” signs are displayed.

• Play the game, assisting kids as needed.

• After kids complete their sorting, review the books in the Old Testament pile.

• Display the “Genesis” poster.

• Share: “Today, we will begin a special study of the Book of Genesis.

Repeat after me. Genesis (JEN ih siss).” Read some of the questions and answers from the “Genesis” poster as time allows.

• Dismiss to Bible Study.

S SPOTLIGHT 2 BIBLE SKILL e Old Testament and • Locates the two main parts of the Bible—th the New Testament—and identifies some books in each part.

• Locates all books of the Bible by using the contents page or with teacher guidance.

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BIBLE STUDY

3 BIBLE STUDY (35 MINUTES) JUMP IN • Say: “Hi! I am glad to see you today. We are going to have a great time exploring God’s Word—the Bible. Before we get started, I want to learn a little about some of you. When I call on you, tell me your favorite Bible story or Bible person.” (Select as many kids to respond as you can.)

• Display the “DNA” visual.

• Ask: “What do you think this picture is? I will give you a hint: it is something you have right now.” After a few guesses, acknowledge that the picture is of DNA. • Explain: “Everyone has DNA in your body and everyone’s DNA is unique.

My DNA is different from your DNA. And your DNA is different from anyone else’s DNA. Who do you think created DNA?” (God) • Continue: “Awesome! Today we are going to study the very first story in the Bible. It is the story of creation. God created everything and rules over it.”

EXAMINE THE TEXT • Say: “Let’s open our Bible to the Book of Genesis. Genesis is the first book of the Bible, in the Old Testament.” Demonstrate how to use the table of contents to locate Bible books.

• Ask: “Do I have any volunteers to help read some Bible verses?”

• Select volunteers to each read one verse of Genesis 1:1-5.

• Say: “Wow! Can you imagine being able to create something by talking?

What if I said ‘Let there be purple puppy dogs’ and it happened? Wouldn’t that be awesome? God is all-powerful. All He had to do was speak and things were created. Let’s see what else God created.”

• Tell the Bible story in your own words. A Bible story script has been provided for you to use as a guide.

• Say: “Our Text Truth is God created everything and rules over it.”

• Display the Text Truth Strip.

• Say: “Read the Text Truth with me. God created everything and rules over it. God is in charge. He made the world. He made you. He made me.

And guess what? God has a plan for you.”

VIDEO • Play the Session 1 video.

• Ask: “What did Joel learn about creation?”

• Conclude: “We can look around our earth and see that Somebody created all of these amazing things. Did you know the teeth of a beaver never stop growing? Do you know why? The beaver eats wood. Eating wood is tough on teeth. Who made the beaver? God did. God created the beaver and knew that it needed special teeth. God created everything and rules over it.”

TOOLS: • Jump In: “DNA” (DVD-ROM) • Examine the Text: Bibles, “Text Truth Strips” (Poster Pack), whiteboard, dry erase marker • Video: Explore the Bible on Location video • Memory Verse: “Genesis 1:1” (Poster Pack), Giant Inflatable Game Cube or a square box, “Verse Cube Directions” (enhanced CD) • Prayer: Family Cards, whiteboard, dry erase marker

Features 1\ B ible Skills activities are included in each session to lay a foundation for biblical literacy.

2\ Bible Skills Spotlight highlights the biblical knowledge kids will gain through activities.

3\ Large group Bible study brings kids together for object-based learning.

MEMORY VERSE PREPARATION: • Print the “Verse Cube Directions” and slide one page into each side of the Giant Inflatable Game Cube.

EXAMINE THE TEXT PRE-READER TIP: • Print the word Genesis on a whiteboard where kids can see it.

OPTION: • If you have kids who enjoy reading aloud, you may wish to share more of the Bible story by asking volunteers to read key verses from Genesis 1.

Session 1: Creation

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BIBLE STUDY

MEMORY VERSE • Display the “Genesis 1:1” poster. Invite kids to read the verse together.

Choose a kid to toss the game cube and read aloud the action instructions that land face up. The entire group should complete the instructions while saying the memory verse.

PRAYER • Distribute a Family Card to each boy and girl.

• Say: “When you see the picture of DNA on your Family Card, you can remember that God created everything and rules over it. You are a special part of God’s creation. Take your card home and share it with your family this week. Your family can answer the questions on the back and work on a special Bible skill together.”

• Conclude: “We have had a great time learning about creation. Before we go to small groups, let’s take a minute to pray. One thing we can tell God when we pray is what we are thankful for. Think about things or people that you are glad God created. Let’s make a list of those things.”

• Write each kid’s response on a whiteboard. Close in prayer, thanking God for His many creations.

• Dismiss to Small Group.

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SMALL GROUP

1 SMALL GROUP (30 MINUTES) EXPLORER GUIDES • Distribute an Explorer Guide to each boy and girl. Help kids locate today’s pages.

• Direct girls and boys to examine the information about the object, DNA. • Invite kids to check out some other unique facts about the “Human Body.” Note how detailed the human body is and how that reminds us of how great our God is.

• Review the Bible story by helping kids solve the “Creation Maze.” Use the code to discover some of God’s creations in the “Amazing Creations Code.”

• Say: “Genesis tells us that the garden of Eden had four rivers.” Ask a volunteer to read aloud the information about the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.

TOOLS: • Explorer Guides: Bibles, Explorer Guides, pens

Features 1\ S mall group activities reinforce learning and engage different types of learners.

2\ The Family App adds technology to enhance small group time.

2

TECH CONNECT (OPTIONAL) • Prior to class, download the Explore the Bible: Kids Family App. • Use the activity labeled “Explorer Plus” on the app.

ACTIVITIES • Select one or more of the activities to complete as time allows.

MOVE

DAYS OF CREATION RELAY Tools: long sheet of paper, markers, tape

2,” and so on. Display the s and label the sections, “Day 1,” “Day ¨ Divide the sheet of paper into 6 section kids. the room from sheet of paper on the opposite side of the boys and girls that when the room from the paper. Explain to the • Form two teams and line teams up across g something God created take turns going to the paper and drawin will they start, to signal the them you give use the following ideas as trouble thinking of something to draw, have kids If . created was it day the under suggestions. ▸▸ Day 1: light, day, night ▸▸ Day 2: blue sky or clouds ▸▸ Day 3: land, seas, plants, trees ▸▸ Day 4: sun, moon, stars ▸▸ Day 5: birds, sea creatures ▸▸ Day 6: land animals, man

each day. Conclude the activity by had a turn and something is drawn for • Continue playing until everyone has it. over rules everything and reviewing the Text Truth: God created

Session 1: Creation

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Features

SMALL GROUP MAK

STRAW PAINTING CREATIONS

CREATION SCAVENGER HUNT

Tools: straws, heavyweight paper, washable paint in various colors, glue, googly eyes

Tools: paper, markers or pens

• Provide each kid with a piece of heavyweight paper. Squeeze a drop of paint on each kid’s paper. Kids may wish to use multiple colors.

• Guide boys and girls to softly blow air through their straws to move the paint.

• After kids finish blowing the paint around to create a shape or design of their own choice, kids may wish to glue googly eyes on their creations.

• Say: “You created your own unique creation using paint and paper. What did God create in today’s Bible story? Today’s Text Truth is God created everything and rules over it.”

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EXPL

Explore the Bible: Younger Kids

• Invite boys and girls to list the following colors on their papers: red, blue, yellow, orange, green, brown, purple, black.

• If possible, take your kids outside for this activity. You may also allow kids to look out a window.

• Challenge kids to find something God created for each of the colors listed on their papers.

Ask them to list what they saw next to each color. As time allows, invite kids to share what they found.

• Close by reviewing the Text Truth: God created everything and rules over it.

E OR

1

E

1\ T hree types of activities give leaders a variety of experiences to help kids explore the Bible.

1

Younger Kids Family Cards

CREATION

Features 1

Everyone has their own unique DNA!

1\ R emind kids about the object of the week and why it was chosen for this session.

2\ Give parents the Scripture passage kids studied during their session.

SESSION

3\ Help families grow in the Word together with Bible skills.

GENESIS 1–2 2

4\ Equip parents to lead spiritual conversations with fun discussion questions.

1

FAMILY BIBLE SKILLS:

3

Place a Bible on a table. Challenge each member of the family to find Genesis 1 as fast as possible. If you have younger kids, challenge them to find any chapter of Genesis.

4 • What is your favorite day of creation?

• If you could create anything, what would you create?

• What did God say about His creation? See Genesis 1:31.

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N O I T A E R C

AND RULES OVER IT. NG HI YT ER EV D TE EA GOD CR

1

TIGRIS & EUPHRATES RIVERS

DID YOU KNOW the Euphrates

is the longest river in western Asia? The Tigris and Euphrates were part of the garden of Eden.

HUMAN BODY

1

FACTS

Your skull is made up of 22 different bones.

Use the code to discover some of things God created.

What is your favorite creation?

AMAZING CREATIONS CODE -..

---

...-

...

..-

-.

--.

..

.-.

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.

.-

Your heart beats about 100,000 times a day.

..-.

.-.

.

.

...

--.

.-.

.-

...

...

--.

.-.

.-

.--.

.

Fall 2017

3

5

-

4

Your teeth are as strong as a SHARK’S TEETH.

..-.

...

7

.

A .B -...

C -.-.

D -..

E. F ..-.

G --.

H ....

I ..

J .--K -.L .-..

M -N -.

O --P .--.

Q --.R .-.

S ...

TU ..V ...W .-X -..Y -.-Z --..

You have 26

DIFFERENT BONES in

each foot.

Together, your two feet contain nearly 25% of the bones in your entire body.

2

Your brain can be MORE ACTIVE when you’re ASLEEP than when you’re awake.

4

The length of your arms stretched out is about equal to your height.

It takes your body about 12 HOURS to digest food.

6

8 Your BIG TOE helps keep your whole body balanced.

Younger Kids Explorer Guide DNA is huge and you have a lot of it wrapped up in your body.

If you could unravel all of the DNA in your cells, it would stretch between planet Earth and the sun 100 times!

Who created your DNA?

2

Features 1\ H elp kids soak in knowledge by highlighting the Text Truth over and over.

2\ Discover fascinating facts about the object of the week.

DNA

3 CREATION

3\ Reinforce learning from weekly sessions with fun activities.

MAZE

Review the days of creation by solving the maze.

4\ Broaden biblical vocabulary with the weekly Word to Know.

FINISH BIBLE PASSAGE: GENESIS 1—2

DAY 6

DAY 3

MEMORY VERSE: GENESIS 1:1

4 DAY 5 DAY 2

START

DAY 1

WORD TO K NOW Ede n (EE duh n)

DAY 4 5

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KIDS PRODUCTS Get started with a Tool Kit! The Tool Kit contains all the resources you need for one group packaged together. Simply order one Tool Kit per Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, Younger Kids, or Older Kids group. Include a second hour of worship by purchasing the Tool Kit with Worship. Order a Leader Guide for each leader and Explorer Packs for each child separately.

Print

Kids Tool Kit Includes one Leader Guide, one Poster Pack, one Explorer Guide, one pack of Kids Family Cards, one Enhanced CD, and one DVD. Order one for each group. Available for Younger and Older Kids.

Kids Tool Kit with Worship Includes everything in the Kids Tool Kit plus a Worship DVD-ROM. Order one for your kids ministry area.

Preschool Tool Kit Includes one Preschool Leader Guide, one set of Activity Pages, one Preschool Leader Pack, one pack of Preschool Family Cards, and one Preschool Enhanced CD. Order one for each group. Available for Babies & Toddlers and Preschool.

Preschool Tool Kit with Worship Includes everything in the Preschool Tool Kit plus one Preschool Worship DVD-ROM. Order one for your preschool ministry area.

Digital curriculum bundles are available at lifeway.com/explorethebible.

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Explore the Bible

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Fall 2017

BABIES & TODDLERS

YOUNGER KIDS

OLDER KIDS

PRESCHOOL

Diaper Bag Cards > Fall 2017 Name, General Editor

Leader Guide > Fall 2017 Steve Gaines, General Editor

Explorer Guide > Fall 2017 Steve Gaines, General Editor

BIBLE BOOKS

PRESCHOOL

FAMI LY CARDS

Diaper Bag Cards > Quarter Year Name, General Editor

Activity Pages > Fall 2017 Steve Gaines, General Editor

FALL 2017

GENESIS, ACTS, 1 SAMUEL

Kids

Leader Guide Provides leader-friendly session plans for small and large group learning.

Order one for each leader.

Available for Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, Younger Kids, and Older Kids.

GENESIS, ACTS, 1 SAMUEL

GENESIS, ACTS, 1 SAMUEL

Diaper Bag Cards Weekly cards include easy-to-do-at-home suggestions for family Bible experiences and kid-friendly Bible story illustrations that encourage conversations about the Bible. Order one for each child.

Activity Pages Gummed pad filled with colorfully illustrated weekly Bible stories and fun, Bible-focused activities designed to engage preschoolers during small group time.

Order one for each preschooler.

Available for Babies & Toddlers.

Available for Preschool.

Kids

GENESIS, ACTS, 1 SAMUEL

Explorer Guides Magazine-style guide for use during group time provides kids with fun and informative ways to connect to Scripture.

Preschool Family Cards Equip parents with the Text Truth, Bible verse, and Bible story from each session. Each card includes an activity for preschoolers to continue exploring the Bible at home.

Available for Younger Kids and Older Kids.

Available for Preschool.

OLDER KIDS

THE LAW

GENESIS

GOD CREATED EVERYTHING AND HAS A PLAN FOR HIS PEOPLE.

KIDS FAMILY CARDS

WHO

Explorer Guide > Fall 2017 Steve Gaines, General Editor

WROTE THE TEXT? Moses the promised land

WHO IS THE AUDIENCE? Israelites, traveling to

WHAT

BOOKS OF THE

BIBLE

KIDS FAMILY CARDS

FALL 2017

WAS HAPPENING IN THE WORLD? First Dynasty of Babylon; Bronze Age emerged; China created the first zoo in 2000 B.C.; Babylonians and Egyptians divided the days into hours, minutes, and seconds in 2000 B.C.; Multiplication tables developed in Mesopotamia in 1800 B.C.

WHEN WAS GENESIS WRITTEN? Considered between 1445–1406 B.C. WHEN DID THE EVENTS OF GENESIS TAKE PLACE? From creation to about 1805 B.C. (Joseph’s death)

WHERE WAS GENESIS WRITTEN? Somewhere on Israel’s journey from

CARDS

FALL 2017

slavery in Egypt to the land of Canaan

WHY WAS GENESIS WRITTEN? To lay the foundation for

history and theology for the entire Bible. Genesis reveals one’s need for redemption and lays out God’s plan to send a redeemer.

GOD DID NOT MAKE IT RAIN IN THE

GARDEN OF EDEN,

THE LONGEST LIVING PERSON IN THE BIBLE?

METHUSELAH LIVED TO THE RIPE OLD AGE OF

GENESIS, ACTS, 1 SAMUEL

Kids Family Cards Provide parents with discussion questions that relate to each session.

Each card includes a Bible skills activity to help families grow in biblical literacy at home.

969

Kids

Explorer Pack Bundle the Explorer Guide and Family Cards together. Order one for each child.

ALMONDS AND PISTACHIOS

ARE NUTS MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE. (GENESIS 43:11)

YEARS.

Poster Pack Posters help you create an engaging learning environment.

Available for Younger Kids and Older Kids.

Books of the Bible Cards Send kids home with a pack of cards representing all 66 books of the Bible.

Order one for each child.

SO THE PLANTS CONSUMED WATER FROM STREAMS COMING FROM THE GROUND. (GENESIS 2:6)

THE RAVEN IS THE FIRST TYPE OF BIRD MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE. IT APPEARS IN GENESIS 8:7 WHEN IT WAS SENT OUT FROM THE ARK BY NOAH TO SEE IF THE FLOOD WATERS HAD DECREASED. THE SECOND TYPE OF BIRD WAS A DOVE IN VERSE 8.

Books of the Bible Posters Color-coded posters include interesting facts about the books of the Bible, including the author, audience, and purpose.

ETB_Bible_books_posters.indd 3

3/13/14 4:05 PM

Available for Kids.

The free Explore the Bible App compliments what kids learn during Bible study each week.

Available in iTunes and Google Play.

LifeWay.com/Explore the Bible

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EXPLORE THE BIBLE: KIDS THREE-YEAR STUDY PLAN

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study

PLAN Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Fall 2017 Genesis Acts 1 Samuel

Fall 2018 2 Samuel 1 Chronicles Genesis Galatians James

Fall 2019 John 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Kings 2 Kings 2 Chronicles

Winter 2017-18 Matthew 1 Peter 2 Peter Jude Joshua Spring 2018 Matthew Judges Ruth Psalms Summer 2018 Exodus Leviticus Acts 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians

Winter 2018-19 Mark 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Amos Hosea Jonah Nahum Joel Spring 2019 Romans Proverbs Song of Solomon Luke Ephesians Numbers Summer 2019 Deuteronomy Job Ecclesiastes Mark Isaiah Micah

Winter 2019-20 Luke Philippians Colossians Philemon Obadiah Ezekiel Daniel Spring 2020 Jeremiah Lamentations John Hebrews Esther Summer 2020 Ezra Nehemiah Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi 1 John 2 John 3 John Revelation

BUILD UP BIBLICALLY LITERATE KIDS WITH BIBLE SKILLS FOR KIDS!

BIBLE SKILLS

KIDS

FOR

A PILLAR OF EXPLORE THE BIBLE: KIDS!

Bible Skills for Kids was developed by LifeWay Kids to provide teachers, parents, and ministers of preschoolers and children with Bible skill milestones.

Bible Skills for Kids also forms the foundation for Bible skills in the Explore the Bible: Kids resources.

The 16-page Bible Skills for Kids booklet provides information on how to teach Bible skills to kids, handy lists of foundational Bible stories for preschoolers and kids, the most important memory verses for kids, and what to look for in a Bible for kids.

The product includes a dual-sided poster that provides both a chart and an infographic format of Bible skill goals for four age groups: Younger Preschool, Older Preschool, Younger Kids, and Older Kids.

18% Rarely or Never

22% At Least Once a Month

19% Every Day

26%

14% Once a Week

A Few Times a Week WHY DO WE NEED TO FOCUS ON BIBLE SKILLS? While the majority of churchgoers desire to honor Christ with their lives and even profess to meditate on biblical truths, a LifeWay Research study found few actually engage in personal reading and study of the Scriptures.

When asked how often they personally (not as part of a church worship service) read the Bible, a similar number responded “Every Day” (19 percent) as responded “Rarely/Never” (18 percent). A quarter indicated they read the Bible a few times a week. Fourteen percent said they read the Bible “Once a Week,” and another 22 percent said “Once a Month” or “A Few Times a Month.”

“God’s Word is truth, so it should come as no surprise that reading and studying the Bible are still the activities that have the most impact on growth in this attribute of spiritual maturity,” LifeWay Research stated. “As basic as that is, there are still numerous churchgoers who are not reading the Bible regularly. You simply won’t grow if you don’t know God and spend time in God’s Word.”

LEARN MORE AT LIFEWAY.COM/BIBLESKILLSFORKIDS http://lifewayresearch.com/2012/09/06bible-engagement-in-churchgoers-hearts-not-always-practiced/

Kids

LifeWay Christian Resources One LifeWay Plaza Nashville, TN 37234 CRA74350

BAB IES

DLE & TOD

RS

LESHIP

GUIDE

EXPLORE THE BIBLE: ADULTS

DISCIP

ADULTS

Biblebook

EXODUS AND LEVITICUS

D A I LY

| YOUN G

PERSONAL STUDY GUIDE

Explorer Guide > Fall 2017 Steve Gaines, General Editor

®

PERSONAL STUDY GUIDE

THE BIBLE

STUDENTS

2017 > Fall Gui de Editor General Lea der Gaines, Steve

EXPLORE THE BIBLE

EXPL ORE

| EXPLORE THE BIBLE

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Steve Gaines, General Editor

DOWNLOAD 3 ADDITIONAL PREVIEW SESSIONS FOR FREE Want to experience more Explore the Bible? You’re invited to try three additional preview sessions for adults, students, kids, and preschool. These are full sessions you can review, lead, and share with your ministry team.

Download them for free at lifeway.com/ExploreTheBible.

800.458.2772

@ExploreTheBible

/ExploreTheBible