Explore the Bible: Kids - Preschool Leader Guide Sample

PRESCHOOL

Leader Guide > Fall 2019 David Dykes, General Editor

JOHN, 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS, 1 & 2 KINGS, 2 CHRONICLES

Session

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Jesus Came to Help

FOR THE LEADER

John 3:1-21 The Gospel of John is unique among the four gospels. John’s Gospel includes many unique details. John’s purpose for writing his Gospel was to provide evidence that Jesus Christ was indeed the Messiah, the one and only son of God. John actually begins his Gospel similarly to Matthew, Mark, and Luke with genealogical information, though John begins farther back than any of the others—in the very beginning. God existed in the beginning and John introduces Jesus’ oneness with God in the beginning and then becoming flesh. John identifies Jesus as the Word of God. After introducing Jesus as the Word become flesh, the Gospel of John continues as a series of stories that John recorded so he could show that Jesus was indeed who John claimed He was. The first major story John tells is of a visit to Jesus from one of the leaders of the Jews named Nicodemus. Being a ruler of the Jews meant that Nicodemus was not just a respected member of Jewish life, but he served on the Sanhedrin. This council was comprised of 71 members led by the High Priest. As a member of the Sanhedrin, Nicodemus would have been well versed in Jewish law and religious life.

Nicodemus went to Jesus at night and recognized Jesus as being sent from God. Nicodemus understood that Jesus was a prophet, but he did not grasp yet that Jesus was the Son of God. Further, Nicodemus identified Jesus as a rabbi, or teacher, and put himself in the role of learner. Both of these admissions show that Nicodemus was truly seeking real answers to his questions.

Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus led Nicodemus to question the details of eternal life. Jesus clarified for Nicodemus what it meant to be born again. Jesus told Nicodemus real eternal life comes through a relationship with God, which can be gained through trust in God’s plan to send His one and only Son to die for the sins of all people. God sent His Son, Jesus, to rescue us from our sin.

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Explore the Bible: Preschool Leader Guide © 2019 LifeWay

OVERVIEW

SESSION FOCUS TEXT TRUTH Jesus came to love and help all people.

BIBLE STORY John 3:1-21 BIBLE VERSE John 3:16 CHRIST IN CONTEXT The Book of John reveals Jesus’ identity as God in flesh and describes the eternal, all-knowing, ever-present, and all-powerful nature of Christ.

BIBLE SKILLS • Know there are two main parts of the Bible­—the Old Testament and the New Testament.

• Begin to understand that people wrote God’s words in the Bible.

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

▸▸ Draw a picture

▸▸ Drive toy cars on

Tools: Bible marked at John 3, several small flashlights, Shadow Play Poster (Pack Item 29)

Tools: Bible, paper, colored pencils

Tools: Bible opened to John 3, toy vehicles, masking tape roads

on the Bible and wall.

of people helping one another.

roads.

FAMILY AT HOME ▸▸ A fter everyone has had an opportunity to do one or more arrival

activities, direct preschoolers to Exploration Stations.

(See next page.)

Print this week’s devotional page (Enhanced CD) to give to families.

Session 1: Jesus Came to Help

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BIBLE STORY

TEXT TRUTH Jesus came to love and help all people.

BIBLE VERSE John 3:16

LEADER TIP! Display the Fall Door Poster (Pack Item 15) outside the room. When children arrive, tell parents their children will be exploring the Bible.

LEADER TIP! Explain that rabbi is the Jewish word for teacher.

JESUS TALKED TO NICODEMUS John 3:1-21

Jesus traveled to many places to teach people. People saw Jesus do amazing things. News about Jesus spread and the people heard about the wonderful things Jesus did.

Nicodemus was a leader in Jerusalem and a teacher of the Law. Nicodemus was curious about Jesus. Nicodemus wondered who Jesus was.

One night Nicodemus decided to find Jesus and talk to Him. When Nicodemus found Jesus, he said: “Rabbi, we know You are a teacher who has come from God. No one could do what You do if God wasn’t with him.”

Jesus cared about Nicodemus. Jesus wanted to help Nicodemus and other people know how they could be with God forever. Jesus told Nicodemus that he had to be born again.

Now Nicodemus was very confused! What did Jesus mean? How could a person be a baby two times?

Jesus helped Nicodemus understand that people are born the first time as real live people. They eat, sleep, walk, talk, and other people can see them.

The second time people are born is when the people believe (have faith) in Jesus. The people still have their bodies like before, but they think and act differently because they love Jesus. It is like they are brand new people!

Nicodemus still did not know exactly what Jesus meant, so he listened some more.

Jesus said, “God loved everyone so much that He sent Me, His Son, to teach people and show them how to be God’s children. When people believe in Me, they can live with God forever.”

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:

God loved the world and gave his Son so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life. John 3:16 Paraphrase:

God sent Jesus to help people know how to be with Him. John 3:16

Explore the Bible: Preschool Leader Guide © 2019 LifeWay

CIRCLE TIME

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

LEADER TIP!

• Ask preschoolers to help straighten the classroom before Circle Time.

Enjoy Circle Time with the lights dimmed.

• Say: “Thank you for working together and helping one another. Today we will hear that Jesus came to love and help people.”

HEAR THE BIBLE STORY

TOOLS

• Say: “Everywhere Jesus went, people followed Him. They listened to Him teach and they watched the things He did. In today’s story, we will hear about a man who had some questions for Jesus. Nicodemus called Jesus rabbi, which means teacher, because Nicodemus wanted to learn from Jesus.”

PACK ITEMS

• Bibles

• Show children the Story Picture (Pack). Point out that Nicodemus waited until after dark to talk to Jesus. Talk about the differences between daytime and nighttime.

• Open the Bible to John 3 and lay the Bible in your lap. Tell the Bible story.

1 Story Picture: Jesus Talked to Nicodemus 16 Bible Markers 17 Text Truth Poster 18 Text Truth Poster Add-Ons 19 Bible Word Cards: Bible, Old Testament, New Testament

• Help preschoolers understand the abstract concept of being born again but keep the discussion appropriate for their age. (See Bible story.)

• Read today’s Text Truth Poster Add-on (Pack) and place it on the Text Truth Poster (Pack).

PRACTICE BIBLE SKILLS • Show the selected Bible Word Cards (Pack). Tell preschoolers that there are two main parts of the Bible, the Old Testament and the New Testament.

• Ask teachers in the group to help children find the Old and New Testaments in Bibles.

LEADER TIP! Show preschoolers where the Book of John appears on the Bible Timeline for Kids (LifeWay, 005811866).

• Turn to the Bible Marker (Pack) at John 3:16 and say the Bible verse.

• Say: “The Book of John was written by Jesus’ friend John. God told John the words to write.”

PRAY • Ask God to help boys and girls know that Jesus loves everyone.

Session 1: Jesus Came to Help

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EXPLORATION STATIONS TEXT TRUTH Jesus came to love and help all people.

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

BIBLE STORY Jesus Talked to Nicodemus John 3:1-21

BIBLE VERSE

PLAY SCHOOL

John 3:16

Tools: Bible, Bible Word Cards (Pack), lined paper, pencils, whiteboards, dry-erase markers, erasers, pointer PACK ITEMS 1 Story Picture: Jesus Talked to Nicodemus 16 Bible Markers 19 Bible Word Cards: Old Testament, New Testament, Bible, John, Jesus, Nicodemus 20 Search-the-Bible Cards 21 B ook of John Figures: Jesus, Nicodemus 26 Nighttime Matching Cards 28 Bible Times Backdrop

LEADER TIP! Many preschoolers may attend weekday preschool programs, so a school-related activity will not be unfamiliar to them.

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• Section off an area to create a “school” space for preschoolers. Invite boys and girls to take turns pretending to be a teacher.

• Display the Bible Word Cards. Guide the “teacher” to use the pointer and identify a few letters in the words. (Help as needed.)

• Give children paper and pencils (and whiteboards and markers) to write letters and words.

• Say: “Nicodemus called Jesus a rabbi. Rabbi means teacher. Jesus taught Nicodemus what it meant to be a new person by believing in Jesus.”

• Say the Bible verse.

TELL THE BIBLE STORY Tools: Bible, Story Picture: Jesus Talked to Nicodemus (Pack), Book of John Figures (Pack), Bible Times Backdrop (Pack), blocks • Prepare the Book of John Figures as instructed in the Leader Pack. Prop the figures in front of the Backdrop.

• Point to the Story Picture.

Suggest that a child arrange blocks and figures to resemble the picture.

• Encourage children to tell the Bible stor y, saying what Jesus and Nicodemus said to each other.

• Open the Bible to John 3.

Say: “This place in the Bible tells about Nicodemus’ visit with Jesus.”

Explore the Bible: Preschool Leader Guide © 2019 LifeWay

EXPLORATION STATIONS

MAKE A LANTERN Tools: Bible, clear plastic cups, hole punch, ribbon, colored tissue paper cut into small pieces, diluted white glue, paintbrushes, battery-operated tea light candles, permanent marker (teacher use) • Punch holes on opposite sides of each cup’s rim.

Thread ribbon through the holes and tie the ends to create a hanging loop.

• Guide a child to dip a paintbrush in glue and paint the outside of the cup. Tell her to attach tissue to the glue to create a stained-glass look. Allow the glue to dry.

• Print the Bible verse on a child’s lantern and place a tea light candle in the cup.

• Say: “Nicodemus went to Jesus at nighttime.

Perhaps Nicodemus carried a lantern as he walked through the streets.”

SEARCH THE BIBLE

Tools: Bible, Search-the-Bible Cards (Pack), Bible Markers (Pack), Enhanced CD

WORK NIGHTTIME PUZZLES Tools: Bible, Nighttime Matching Cards (Pack), w and Activity Page, large yello lights white star shapes, flash • Create star puzzles by two cutting each star into the pieces. Spread pieces on to table. Encourage a child er. th put the star pieces toge • Separate Nighttime ace Matching Cards and pl a ll them facedown. Te ht on child: “Shine a flashlig er, ov em two cards, turn th .” and see if they match s are rd ca Continue until all matched.

• Show the picture on the Activity Page and stor y. summarize the Bible rned • Say: “Nicodemus lea and that Jesus came to love help all people.” day’s • Help the child say to e.

Bible verse and referenc

• Play the Enhanced CD. Listen for songs that tell about Jesus.

• Tear apart the Search Cards and show them to a child.

Help the preschooler follow the printed directions to locate places in the Bible.

• Tell the child: “The Old Testament tells about things that happened before Jesus was born. The New Testament tells what happened after Jesus was born.”

• Find the book, chapter, and verse for today’s Bible verse. Mark this location with the Bible Marker.

• Remark: “John 3:16 is a special verse that many people know by heart. Let’s say that verse together.”

• Help the child say the Bible verse and reference.

Session 1: Jesus Came to Help

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NEXT HOUR

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.

TEXT TRUTH Jesus came to love and help all people.

BIBLE STORY Jesus Talked to Nicodemus John 3:1-21 The Bible story is printed on the back of the Story Picture.

BIBLE VERSE John 3:16

PLAN A TRIP Tools: Bible, maps (paper and electronic), travel magazines and brochures, backpack or small suitcase, chairs, toy steering wheel, set of keys • Show children the travel items and say: “Jesus traveled to many places and taught people everywhere He went. In one town, a man named Nicodemus looked for Jesus and talked to Him.” • Suggest that children look at travel brochures to plan a trip. Pretend to get a car ready for travel. Arrange chairs like a car.

• Invite children to take turns being the driver and passengers.

• Comment that people travel to churches in your city to learn about Jesus.

DRAW A NIGHTTIME PICTURE Tools: Bible, Activity Page, black or dark blue construction paper, chalk • Show preschoolers the picture on the Activity Page. Point out that Nicodemus and Jesus talked after dark.

• Invite children to draw a nighttime sky. Or children may look at the picture on the Activity Page and draw something similar.

• Say: “Nicodemus wanted to know more about Jesus. Jesus helped Nicodemus understand how he could be with God forever.”

• Guide a child to open the Bible to the New Testament section. Help the preschooler turn the pages to find John 3:16. Say the Bible verse.

CUT STAR & HEART SHAPES Tools: Bible, fresh play dough, rollers, star and heart cookie cutters, Story Picture: Jesus Talked to Nicodemus (Pack Item 1) • Give a child a hand-size ball of dough and a roller. Suggest that she choose a star or heart shape to cut the dough.

• While the child rolls and cuts dough, comment that her shape reminds you of today’s Bible story: Nicodemus looked for Jesus at nighttime (star) and Jesus told Nicodemus that God loved him (heart).

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Explore the Bible: Preschool Leader Guide © 2019 LifeWay

NEXT HOUR

• Show the preschooler the Story Picture and summarize the Bible story.

• Say: “We learn from the Bible that Jesus came to love and help people.”

READ ABOUT JESUS

LEADER TIP! Form groups of two or three preschoolers and a teacher.

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

Tools: Bible, several books about Jesus, Preschool Family Card, Enhanced CD • Invite a preschooler to get a book to “read” while the CD plays. Listen for songs that tell about Jesus.

• Show the child the picture on the Family Card. Point to Jesus and Nicodemus.

• Say: “John wrote about the night Nicodemus looked for Jesus. The Book of John has true stories about things Jesus did and said. Jesus came to love and help all people.”

CIRCLE TIME GATHER

PRACTICE BIBLE SKILLS

• Ask preschoolers to tell about something they do before they go to bed each night.

• Say: “John 3:16 is a special Bible verse. Let’s find it in our Bibles and read the verse together.”

• Children may mention bathe, read a book, pray with family.

• Ask teachers in the circle to help preschoolers look for John 3:16 in children’s or classroom Bibles.

REVIEW THE BIBLE STORY

• Read the verse, then lead children to say the verse with you.

• Remark: “Nicodemus looked for Jesus one night and asked Him some questions. Jesus helped Nicodemus know that God sent Jesus to help people understand how to be with God.” • Pass the Story Picture (Pack) around the circle.

PRAY • Thank God for sending Jesus to love and help everyone.

• Thank God for the Bible and its true stories.

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

Look for printable Next Hour helps on the Preschool Enhanced CD. Session 1: Jesus Came to Help

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Preview four sessions at lifeway.com/explorethebible