NCCP KidsX Complete Leader Guide PreK-K (Vol 1) by nccpumc

LEADER GUIDE

PRE-K & K â&#x20AC;¢ QUARTER 1

PRE-K & K QUARTER 1

LEADER GUIDE

Loveland, Colorado group.com/SimplyLoved

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior written permission from the publisher, except where noted in the text and in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For information, visit group.com/permissions. This creative team is simply honored to create Simply Loved for you: Laura Baldwin-Stout, Mollie Bickert, Jody Brolsma, Adam Bohlmeyer, Jessica Goldsmith, Becky Helzer, Jennifer Hooks, Charity Kauffman, Mikal Keefer, Jan Kershner, Steve Kyle, Joani Schultz, Peggy Naylor, Jeff Storm, Rodney Stewart, and Andrea Zimmerman. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. ISBN 978-1-4707-6257-5 Printed in the United States of America. 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 25 24 23 22 21 20

Contents Welcome to Simply Loved!........................................................................4 How It Works...............................................................................................5 Our Strategic Approach...........................................................................7 A Faith Foundation for Young Children..............................................8 Classroom Transition Song Lyrics........................................................9 Supply Closet Inventory..................................................................10 Unit 1: In the Beginning Lesson 1: God Creates the World ........................................................11 Lesson 2: God Creates People...............................................................19 Lesson 3: Sin Enters God’s World.........................................................27 Lesson 4: A Flood Covers the Earth ....................................................35 Unit 2: God Has a Plan Lesson 5: God Calls Abram.....................................................................43 Lesson 6: Isaac Is Born.............................................................................53 Lesson 7: Jacob Steals Esau’s Blessing ...............................................63 Lesson 8: Jacob and Esau Make Peace ..............................................71 Unit 3: Good News for Outsiders Lesson 9: Shepherds Hear About Jesus’ Birth .................................79 Lesson 10: Jesus Befriends Zacchaeus...............................................87 Lesson 11: Jesus Welcomes Children..................................................95 Lesson 12: Jesus Talks With a Samaritan Woman ..........................103

Contents

Welcome to Simply Loved! Welcome to Simply Loved Sunday school—where you and your team simply experience God’s love and share it with kids.

“Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.” (1 John 4:11-12)

With Simply Loved, you, your helpers (we call them Crew Guides), and your kids explore a foundational, Jesus-centered journey through God’s story of love. We believe that faith isn’t a subject to be mastered; it’s a relationship to grow! So every single component of Simply Loved sets the stage for you to more intentionally grow friendship with Jesus and each other. Keep reading to find out what that’ll look like in your classroom. J oin our Simply Loved Facebook community to learn from children’s ministry leaders just like you! facebook.com/groups/simplylovedteacherslounge

Welcome to Simply Loved!

How It Works Simple Volunteer Roles

You’ll need the following volunteers: Leader: (That’s you!) The one person in each teaching space who has looked over the lesson and will direct all activities. The glance-able, structured lessons in this guide allow leaders to spend more time interacting with kids and less time glued to scripts. Crew Guide: A helper who simply shows up and participates with kids. Crew Guides don’t need to be Bible experts—simply people who love Jesus and kids!

A Simple, Flexible Lesson! Simple Prep for Leaders Prepare your heart and pray for the kids before each lesson. Plus, check off supplies as you gather them!

Opening Options Choose from two opening activities—both introduce the day’s Bible Point. Each unit creatively uses the same supplies all four weeks. That means you’ll need to gather Opening Options supplies only once a month! If you’d like, set up these Opening Options as activity stations in your room. Simply cut apart the cards you’ll find in each lesson and place one at each station to guide activity and conversation. Or, do one or both activities with all kids together. You choose! Sing & Play Gather kids to sing and discover the Bible Point. Plus, a Bible Memory Buddy connects the Bible verse to kids’ everyday lives.

Bible Discovery We’ve given you lots of options, but don’t skip this part! It’s the “meat” of the lesson where kids experience God’s greatest gift in an interactive, hands-on way. There’s no time to be bored as kids and Connect Crews follow the Leader through a memorable Bible experience. You’ll read directly from the Bible throughout the Bible Discovery, so be sure to mark your place ahead of time and choose a kid-friendly translation to read from. We’ve intentionally chosen shorter passages for young attention spans.

How It Works

Apply-It Options Consider your time frame, and take your pick: a game, a snack, or a Coloring Creation page! Each option applies the Bible Point to everyday kid life, making faith relevant to even young kids.

Goodbye Circle Wrap up your lesson with a gospel-centered Jesus connection, and remind kids that Jesus is with them wherever they go! Plus, affirm kids by name as you give each child a Bible Memory Buddy sticker at the end of each lesson.

A Simple, Flexible Format! Age-Graded Classrooms It’s simple! You’ll need one prepared leader and at least one helper (we call helpers Crew Guides) for each teaching space. We recommend having a media player handy in each space for music and each week’s Bible Memory Buddy video. Age-Graded Classrooms With a Multi-Age Opening It’s simple! Lead the Sing & Play section with all ages together. Set up a media player in your gathering area so that when you’re all together, you can sing along with music videos, introduce the Bible Point, and meet the Bible Memory Buddy! Then, disperse to age-graded classrooms for Bible Discovery, Apply-It Options, and the Goodbye Circle. You’ll need one prepared leader and at least one helper (we call helpers Crew Guides) for each teaching space. One (big or small) Room With Multi-Age Kids It’s simple! You’ll need one prepared leader plus at least one helper (we call helpers Crew Guides). Ideally, you’ll have one Crew Guide for every five to eight kids, but it can work with your church’s volunteer-to-children ratios. We recommend having a media player handy for music and each week’s Bible Memory Buddy video.

How It Works

Our Strategic Approach

There are “whys” behind every lesson component, and we want to share them with you! Here are the guiding principles behind the creation of Simply Loved Sunday school curriculum. You may have heard…

But we’ve found…

That’s why…

“It’s hard to recruit volunteers.”

When volunteers need less prep time, have fun, and feel like they’re making a difference, they’ll make serving a priority.

Simply Loved volunteer roles are important, but easy!

“Kids need to be entertained.”

Kids need to be noticed and loved.

Simply Loved lessons are designed to help you listen to kids and get to know them.

“You need a lot of supplies.”

You need only a few supplies used in creative ways.

Simply Loved incorporates minimal supplies each unit but uses them in innovative ways to introduce and apply the day’s lesson.

“We need helpers— any warm body will do.”

Helpers don’t just assist. Even though they don’t need to prep, they serve an important relational purpose and make a big difference in kids’ lives.

Simply Loved helpers have a name and an elevated role: they’re “Crew Guides”! They participate along with the kids, play a meaningful role in lessons, and make a difference by building friendships with kids.

“Kids are rarely able to remember Scripture.”

Creating a visual and emotional connection to Scripture dramatically helps kids remember and understand why the Bible matters in their everyday lives.

Simply Loved incorporates kid-friendly videos featuring Bible Memory Buddies (animals God created) to help them understand Bible truths and trigger Scripture memory. And Bible Memory Buddies help discoveries stick! (wink, wink)

“Teachers are Bible experts.”

Teachers are channels of friendship who help children understand and experience Jesus’ love.

Simply Loved uses human relationships to communicate God’s love in a tangible way. Built-in conversation starters help teachers share their personal stories and their own friendship with Jesus.

“Covering a lot of information is intimidating.”

Reaching children is simple when you focus on one Bible Point.

Simply Loved repeats key Bible Points in different ways so truths sink deep. And it combines the repetition of a Bible Point with an auditory and physical response that will stick with kids long after your lesson ends.

“Success requires getting through the whole lesson.”

You’ll clearly communicate the key Bible Point no matter how far you get.

With Simply Loved, a palette of Bible Point-supporting options gives you the freedom to choose what works for your kids and your time frame. So no matter how much of the lesson you complete, the Truth from God’s Word shines through.

“Kids’ll get bored if you repeat something they’ve heard before.”

Kids appreciate routine and repetition when it’s done in a fun way.

Simply Loved’s scope and sequence intentionally repeats the Bible verse and Point for four weeks. This strategically cements Bible learning no matter how often kids attend.

Our Strategic Approach

A Faith Foundation for Young Children

As their leader, you get to show young children what loving Jesus looks like! And Simply Loved will help. Simply Loved incorporates these Age-Level Building Blocks to create a wonderful foundation for young children to learn to love and follow Jesus.

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Young children are active! They like to move and use their whole bodies to make discoveries, so Simply Loved lessons engage young kids in a variety of active, hands-on ways. Young children have short attention spans. Simply Loved lessons are broken down into bite-size pieces. Be sure to use the Simply Loved classroom songs to help young kids move from one thing to the next. Young children feel so many things! Anger, frustration, love, comfort, fear. When you’re sharing a Bible story, Simply Loved identifies a key emotion in the story and pauses to ask young children about a time they felt that way. Connecting to emotion cements learning and helps young children know that Jesus understands their feelings and is with them, no matter what. Jesus often used tangible examples to make abstract learning more concrete. So Simply Loved uses everyday preschool items like blocks, backpacks, dolls, and trains! It’s young children’s job to play! So Simply Loved incorporates imagination and play into Bible teaching. Young children learn through repetition, so Simply Loved repeats, repeats, repeats. Each Simply Loved Pre-K & K lesson is centered around one easy-toremember Bible Point that’s said over and over. Repetition helps cement Bible truths into young minds and hearts to help them—not just someday, but right now! Keep it simple. Young children need to know basic truths about God, so keep it simple! Simply Loved keeps memory verses simple and easy to understand, crafts simple so little hands can handle them, and games simple so kids can jump right in and play. We’ve left snacks up to you, so keep snacks simple and be mindful of allergies. Young children thrive when they know what to expect. So Simply Loved establishes a predictable classroom routine young children can rely on.

Young children are busy explorers! Sometimes their curiosity can lead to unexpected emergencies. Be sure to supervise your little friends as they work with small objects to prevent choking hazards. And always double check for allergies before serving food. Most times, Simply Loved leaves snack choices up to you; however, if food supplies are listed, note this allergy alert to remind you to use caution when serving your young friends.

A Faith Foundation for Young Children

A llergy alert! Check for food allergies or limitations before serving.

Classroom Transition Song Lyrics Catchy transition music signals times of welcome, cleanup, prayer, and send-off, and these songs help kids wrap up one activity and move on to the next. These high-quality songs have been professionally produced so leaders don’t need to be vocalists. But if you do want to sing along, here are the words! The Cleanup Song

God, You Are So Good

Doot, doot, doo, doo, doo. Time to clean up. Clean up! Cleanup can be fun!

God, you are so good. (extend arms up) We thank you for our food. (fold hands together) You give me what I need. (hold arms out) You take good care of me. (hug yourself) Amen. (fold hands together)

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh! Clean up! Cleanup can be fun! Doot, doot, doo, doo, doo. Now our cleanup— It’s done! Cleanup can be fun. Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh! Clean up! Cleanup can be fun! “The Cleanup Song” by Sam Mizell. © 2020 Group Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. No unauthorized use or duplication permitted.

Hello, My Friends Hello, my friends. (wave) Who’s here today? (shrug shoulders) Let’s say hello and play a game! (wave) C’mon, shake a hand. High-five! Spin around. Now say your name!

Goodbye, My Friends Goodbye, my friends. (wave one hand) It’s time to go. (wave other hand) It’s time to make my way back home. (march in place) I know Jesus loves me. (hug yourself) He loves me so, oh! (spread arms wide) Everywhere I go, (march in place) Jesus loves me. (hug yourself) Everywhere I go, (march in place) He’s thinking of me. (point to head) Everywhere I go, (march in place) Jesus loves me. (hug yourself) Everywhere I go. (march in place) Goodbye, my friends. (wave) “Goodbye, My Friends” by Sam Mizell. © 2020 Group Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. No unauthorized use or duplication permitted.

Jesus loves you, (hug yourself) Yes, it’s true. (nod yes) He loves you, he loves you, He loves you, he loves you! (point to friends) Jesus loves you, (hug yourself) Yes, it’s true. (nod yes) He loves you. He loves you, and you, and you, and you, and you! (point to friends) Hello, my friends. (wave) Who’s here today? (shrug shoulders) Let’s say hello (wave) and shout hooray! (pump fist in air) “Hello, My Friends” by Sam Mizell. © 2020 Group Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. No unauthorized use or duplication permitted.

Classroom Transition Song Lyrics

Supply Closet Inventory Pre-K & K—Quarter 1 Have these items handy for some hands-on fun this quarter!

Program Essentials

Toys & Goodies

Bible

play dough

Music CD*

cookie cutters (optional)

Buddy Video DVD*

snack (you choose!)

Music Video DVD*

felt pieces in various colors and sizes, including brown and tan

Bible Story posters* Bible Memory Buddy posters* Bible Memory Buddy stickers* Coloring Creation pages* media player Art Supplies crayons, including multicultural crayons glue sticks chenille wires markers child-safe scissors chalk glitter paper watercolor paints

streamers in a variety of rainbow colors lullaby music (optional) real or artificial leaves cotton balls Odds & Ends fan (optional) napkins hand cleanser wet wipes tissues cups spray bottles of water (optional) pitchers water

paintbrushes blue tissue paper yarn dark-colored bulletin board paper white bulletin board paper heart stickers animal stickers eye stickers multicolored pompoms

Supply Closet Inventory

* in your Simply Loved Kit

Unit 1 | Week 1

God Creates the World

In the Beginning Genesis 1:1-25

Bible Point

Now think about this: God lovingly created this world for you to live in. The breathable air? It’s for you! The rain that falls from the sky? A refreshing gift. God made the world in an orderly and extraordinary way. The Creation story in Genesis 1 shows us God’s power, his goodness, and ultimately his love for his creation— including you and the kids you teach. Young children are good at noticing and marveling over the little things—dandelions, butterflies, and bubbles! Follow kids’ lead and celebrate God’s little wonders today. They’re all reminders of his great big love that he shows us through creation and ultimately through Jesus!

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“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.”

Stop what you’re doing, and look outside. Even better, go outside. Look up at the sky. Look down at the ground. Take a deep breath. Notice the little things—the tweets, the crawling critters, the breeze, the sunlight, or maybe even the stars.

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Purpose

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God always loves us.

(Ephesians 3:18)

Prayer

God, thank you for creating the world. It’s amazing to think that the same God who made the world always loves me. Thank you. I love you, too. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prep

Opening Options

Sing & Play

Option Cards*

Music CD*

Pompom Color Sorting: multicolored pompoms, white bulletin board paper, markers

Buddy Video DVD*

Play Dough Creations: play dough, cookie cutters (optional)

media player

Music Video DVD* Savanna Bible Memory Buddy poster*

Bible (bookmark Ephesians 3:18)

Bible Discovery & Goodbye Circle “God Creates the World” Bible Story poster* Music CD* Savanna Bible Memory Buddy stickers* (1 per child) media player Bible (bookmark Genesis 1:1, 20, 25) fan (optional)

Apply-It Options Game: no supplies Food-n-Friendship: snack, napkins, hand cleanser, Music CD*, media player Coloring Creation: “God Creates the World” Coloring Creation pages* (1 per child), crayons, glue sticks, wet wipes, real or artificial leaves, Music CD*, media player

* in your Simply Loved Kit 11

Opening Options

Set up one—or both—of these intro activities to start your time together. Each activity connects kids to the Bible Point and to each other. Cut apart these Option Cards, and place one by each activity you choose. Crew Guides will follow the directions and build friendships with kids as they make discoveries together!

Pompom Color Sorting

Play Dough Creations

Supplies • multicolored pompoms, white bulletin board paper, markers

Supplies • play dough, cookie cutters (optional)

Cover a table with paper, then draw lines to make separate areas. Sort pompoms by color. God always loves us. When God made the world, he separated darkness and light.

Make plants and animals. God always loves us. God’s filled our world with beautiful plants and amazing animals. Let’s make some! What plants or animals do you love? Why?

What lights help you see in the dark?

Opening Now’s a great time for Opening Options. Choose one—or both—to introduce today’s Bible discoveries.

“The Cleanup Song” (Music CD track 1)

Help kids transition by cleaning up before sitting with their Connect Crews. A Connect Crew is a smaller group of kids with one Crew Guide.

Sing & Play

Supplies • Bible • Music CD

Welcome

Hello, friends! I’m so glad you’re here today. Let’s sing our welcome song.

“Hello, My Friends” (Music CD track 2) Let’s say hello to our Crew Guides. They’re our go-to friends who are here to have fun and learn along with us. ● Kids give their Crew Guides a high-five.

Bible Point Let’s find out today’s Bible Point: God always love us. Every time you hear the words ”God always loves us,” I want you to open your hands and say, “Wow, God!” Let’s try that together. Repeat several times. Let’s celebrate God’s love. Do what I do!

“Hello, My Friends”

• Buddy Video DVD Savanna Bible Memory Buddy video (Week 1)

• Music Video DVD

“One Thing Remains (Your Love Never Fails)” music video

“He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” music video

• media player • Savanna Bible Memory Buddy poster

God always love us. (Wow, God!) God loves us when we sleep. (pretend to sleep) God loves us when we eat. (pretend to eat) God loves us when we’re sad. (make sad faces) God loves us when we’re glad! (make happy faces) God always loves us! (Wow, God!) Let’s do that again! Repeat several times. Repetition cements learning, so be sure to say today’s Bible Point A LOT. Have fun with it! Kids will love listening for it and responding with “Wow, God!”

Wow, God!

Now let’s sing a song to tell God we love him, too!

“One Thing Remains (Your Love Never Fails)” music video

Bible Memory Buddy & Verse It’s time to talk to our friend Buzzly Bee. Buzzly will introduce us to a Bible Memory Buddy friend. Let’s call for Buzzly. ● Flap hands quickly like a bee. ● Make buzzing sounds.

“And may yo u have the power to unde rstand, as al l God’s people should, how wide, how lon g, how high, and how deep his love is.” (Ephesians 3:18 )

Savanna Bible Memory Buddy video (Week 1) God made animals, and God made Savanna, our Bible Memory Buddy. ● Show the Bible Memory Buddy poster. ● Explain that Savanna is a tall giraffe with a long neck. ● Invite kids to stretch up and lift their arms high to look like a giraffe’s neck. Savanna helps us see that God always loves us. (Wow, God!) Show the Bible. The Bible is God’s true story of love. Our Bible Memory Verse comes from the Bible. Let’s say our Bible verse together. I’ll say a line, and then you repeat it after me. “And may you have the power (make muscles with arms) to understand, (point to head) as all God’s people should, (sweep hands in front of you) how wide, (spread arms wide) how long, (move arm in front like tracing a long line) how high, (stretch up with hand above head) and how deep (crouch down) (God’s) love is.” (hug yourself) (Ephesians 3:18) It’s hard to understand how much God loves us because we can’t see God. But we can see God’s creation, including animals like Savanna, to see God’s love for us. God always loves us. (Wow, God!) Let’s celebrate with another song!

“He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” music video

Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 1 | Week 1

Bible Discovery God always loves us! (Wow, God!) Hold up a Bible. Our Bible story today tells us God made the whole wide world! ● Get comfy and sit in knee-to-knee circles with Connect Crews.

Supplies • Bible • “God Creates the World” Bible Story poster • fan (optional)

What have you seen in God’s world so far today? Invite Crew Guides to share first.

● Crew Guides give thumbs-up when everyone has shared. God created the world, and that means God made everything in our world. Read aloud Genesis 1:1. Let’s explore things God made. First, he made day and night. Do this with me. ● Pretend to be sunshine and stretch arms up high when the lights are on. ● Pretend to fall asleep with the lights off or dimmed. ● Turn lights on and then dim them. Do this a few times, and end with lights dimmed. God always loves us. (Wow, God!) He loves you in the daytime and in the nighttime. Let’s rise and shine and see what else God made! Turn lights on. God made the sky, the land, and the water. He said it was good! Let’s look at our Bible Story poster.

We call helpers Crew Guides. If you lead a small class, you can be the Crew Guide. Simply gather kids in a cozy circle around you. If you have helpers, form smaller groups so each child can be known—and so kids can befriend your helpers, too!

● Show the Bible Story poster. ● Identify the sky, the land, and the water. ● Give thumbs-up to show those things are good! God made all these good things, and God always loves us. (Wow, God!) God made plants and trees, too.

What plants have you seen in God’s world? Shout out some for me to hear.

● Identify plants on the Bible Story poster. ● Have everyone pretend to be flowers by standing straight and tall with their hands circled around their heads. ● Have everyone pretend to be apple trees by stretching their hands and feet like tree limbs.

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● Have everyone pretend to be Christmas trees or evergreen trees standing tall with their hands shaped like a triangle over their heads. Sing a few lines of “Jingle Bells.” ● Have everyone pretend to be grass and move gently in the wind as the fan blows (optional).

Read the verse from the Bible. You’re showing kids that God’s Word is special. Don’t worry— we’ve kept the verses short for young attention spans.

Next, the Bible says God made fish, and birds, and animals! Read aloud Genesis 1:20 and 25. Sing to the tune of “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” God made all the fish that swim, (move hands together like fish swimming) fish that swim, fish that swim. (continue moving hands) God made all the fish that swim (continue moving hands) and said that it was good. (give thumbs-up) God made all the birds that fly, (flap arms like wings) birds that fly, birds that fly. (continue flapping arms) God made all the birds that fly (continue flapping arms) and said that it was good. (give thumbs-up) Assign everyone different animals, such as giraffes, elephants, lions, and monkeys. Have kids move like those animals during the last verse.

Repeat, repeat! Feel free do activities more than once. You’ll give kids time to catch on and jump in.

God made all the animals, (move like animals) animals, animals. (continue moving like animals) God made all the animals (continue moving like animals) and said that it was good. (give thumbs-up) Let’s talk with our Connect Crews again. ● Get comfy and sit in knee-to-knee circles with Connect Crews.

What do you love most about God’s world? Invite Crew Guides to share first.

● Crew Guides give thumbs-up when everyone has shared. I love so many things God made, including each one of you. God’s love is everywhere! I’m so glad God always loves us. (Wow, God!)

Now’s a great time for Apply-It Options. Choose one or more that fit your time frame to support today’s Bible discoveries before the closing Goodbye Circle.

Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 1 | Week 1

Apply-It Options Choose one—or all—of these activities to support kids’ learning after Bible Discovery.

Game

Sit in a circle and play a game like Duck, Duck, Goose. Instead of “Duck” and “Goose,” choose names of baby animals and their corresponding grown-up animals to say each round. For example: kitten and cat, puppy and dog, cub and lion. God made animals. He said that grown-up animals should have baby animals! God made sure there’d always be animals in our world. God is so great! And God always loves us! (Wow, God!)

Food-n-Friendship

Supplies: snack, napkins, hand cleanser, Music CD, media player ● Give a napkin to a friend and say, ”God always loves us.” (Wow, God!)

“God, You Are So Good” (Music CD track 3)

Coloring Creation

Supplies: “God Creates the World” Coloring Creation pages (1 per child), crayons, glue sticks, wet wipes, real or artificial leaves, Music CD, media player God always loves us. (Wow, God!) God created the whole wide world for us to enjoy! ● Identify on the picture things God made.

● Eat snack together.

● Color the picture.

When we pray, we talk

● Use glue sticks to attach a leaf to the craft page.

with God. Who has something we can talk with God about?

● Pray together. God always loves us. (Wow, God!) God loves us through special people in our lives. Let’s show our friends we love them by cleaning up their snack!

● Play music as kids create.

“How Wide?” (Ephesians 3:18) (Music CD track 5)

Goodbye Circle

Supplies • Music CD “Goodbye, My Friends” “How Wide?” (Ephesians 3:18) • media player • Savanna Bible Memory Buddy stickers (1 per child)

“Goodbye, My Friends” (Music CD track 4) God always loves us. (Wow, God!) We look at God’s beautiful world and see his love for us! The Bible tells another way God shows us his love. God loved the world so much he sent his only Son, Jesus, to be our friend. Let’s celebrate God’s love for us and our friend Jesus! Do this with me. Jesus loves you when you sleep. (pretend to sleep) Jesus loves you when you eat. (pretend to eat) Jesus loves you when you’re sad. (make sad faces) Jesus loves you when you’re glad! (make happy faces) Jesus will always love you! (point to one another)

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It’s almost time to say goodbye! Let’s sing our goodbye song as we join hands and make one big circle!

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● Repeat the rhyme several times. ● Pray, thanking Jesus for loving us. ● Show the Bible Memory Buddy poster, and remind kids that Savanna helps us remember God always loves us. (Wow, God!) ● Invite Crew Guides to give kids the Savanna stickers to wear or take home. As they give one to each child, have them say, “[Child’s name], God always loves you.”

“How Wide?” (Ephesians 3:18) (Music CD track 5) Saying each child’s name in a loving way helps kids simply experience God’s love through you!

● Do Bible Memory Verse motions and move to the music!

Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 1 | Week 1

Unit 1 | Week 2

God Creates People

In the Beginning Genesis 1:26–2:4

Bible Point

God always loves us.

Like God’s love makes us special, the love young kids have for their favorite stuffed animals or toys makes these ordinary objects special. And you get to show kids God’s love through this lesson!

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Genesis tells about how God created people in a special way and for a special reason. As God’s image-bearers, we get to show the world what God is like, and we get to love and care for God’s creation. What special jobs!

“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.”

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What makes someone special? Looks? Unique qualities? Skills? People are God’s special creation because we’re made in God’s image. God always loves us, and his love for us makes us special!

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Purpose

(Ephesians 3:18)

Prayer

God, I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. As your imagebearer, please help me show children who you are today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prep

Opening Options

Sing & Play

Option Cards*

Music CD*

Pompom Shapes: multicolored pompoms, white bulletin board paper, markers

Buddy Video DVD*

Play Dough People: play dough

media player

Music Video DVD* Savanna Bible Memory Buddy poster

Bible (bookmark Ephesians 3:18)

Bible Discovery & Goodbye Circle

Apply-It Options

“God Creates People” Bible Story poster*

Game: upbeat music, media player

Music CD*

Food-n-Friendship: snack, napkins, hand cleanser, Music CD*, media player

Savanna Bible Memory Buddy stickers* (1 per child) media player Bible (bookmark Genesis 1:27; 2:1-3) chenille wires (2 per child)

Coloring Creation: “God Creates People” Coloring Creation pages* (1 per child), crayons, glue sticks, wet wipes, childsafe scissors, yarn, Music CD*, media player

scissors (1 per Crew)

* in your Simply Loved Kit 19

Opening Options

Pompom Shapes

Play Dough People

Supplies • multicolored pompoms, white bulletin board paper, markers

Supplies • play dough

Cover a table with paper, then draw several simple shapes in different colors. Use pompoms to make shapes like the drawings. We’re using pompoms to make shapes like the ones we see. And God made us to be like him. We know God always loves us because he created us in his image.

Make play dough people. God is our Creator. We’re all different because God made each of us in a special way. He loves how he made us—God always loves us. What’s something that makes you special?

How are you like someone you love?

Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 1 | Week 1

Opening Now’s a great time for Opening Options. Choose one—or both—to introduce today’s Bible discoveries.

“The Cleanup Song” (Music CD track 1)

Help kids transition by cleaning up before sitting with their Connect Crews. A Connect Crew is a smaller group of kids with one Crew Guide.

Sing & Play Welcome Hello, friends! I’m so glad you’re here today. Let’s sing our welcome song.

“Hello, My Friends” (Music CD track 2) Say hello to our Crew Guides. They’re our go-to friends who are here to have fun and learn along with us. Let’s use our hands God made to say hello! ● Kids give their Crew Guides high-fives and low-fives.

Bible Point Today we’ll discover a Bible Point together! God always loves us. Every time you hear the words ”God always loves us,” we’ll open our hands and say, “Wow, God!” Let’s try that together. Repeat several times.

Supplies • Bible • Music CD “Hello, My Friends” • Buddy Video DVD Savanna Bible Memory Buddy video (Week 2) • Music Video DVD “Made for This” music video “One Thing Remains (Your Love Never Fails)” music video • media player • Savanna Bible Memory Buddy poster

God made everything in our world. Do this with me. ● Move your fists on top of each other as if building something. ● Shout out things God made as you keep “building.” For example: sky, trees, animals, and so on. ● Say this rhyme together. God made people special. (point at people around the room) Everyone we see. (shade eyes with hand) God made my friend [say a child’s name]. (high-five that person) And God made me! (point to yourself with both thumbs) God always loves [say child’s name again]. (high-five that person) And God always loves me! (hug yourself)

Wow, God!

Repetition cements learning, so be sure to say today’s Bible Point A LOT. Have fun with it! Kids will love listening for it and responding with “Wow, God!”

Repeat, inviting kids to say friends’ names and give them high-fives. God always loves us. (Wow, God!) He made our world, and he made us extra special. Let’s sing and move to a song to celebrate!

“Made for This” music video

Savanna Bible Memory Buddy video (Week 2) Savanna the giraffe helps us remember God always loves us. (Wow, God!) ● Show the Bible Memory Buddy poster. ● Everyone waves hello to Savanna. ● Explain that Savanna has spots. Count some of her spots together.

“And may yo u have the power to unde rstand, as al l God’s people should, how wide, how lon g, how high, and how deep his love is.” (Ephesians 3:18 )

God always loves us. (Wow, God!) We don’t have spots like a giraffe, but we do have things about us that make us special. Savanna’s spots make her special, too. Let’s find out more! Show the Bible. Our Bible Memory Verse comes from the Bible. The Bible is God’s true story of love for us! Let’s say the verse together. I’ll say a line, and then you repeat after me. “And may you have the power (make muscles with arms) to understand, (point to head) as all God’s people should, (sweep hands in front of you) how wide, (spread arms wide) how long, (move arm in front like tracing a long line) how high, (stretch up with hand above head) and how deep (crouch down) (God’s) love is.” (hug yourself) (Ephesians 3:18) God made us, and God always loves us. (Wow, God!) God doesn’t love people just a little. Hold up thumb and pointer finger to show a little. God loves all people a lot! Stretch up with hand above head like a giraffe.

Who do you love a lot? Invite a few responses from the whole group.

Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 1 | Week 2

Out of all the things God made, he made people the most special. We’re special because God always loves us! (Wow, God!) Let’s celebrate God’s love with a song.

“One Thing Remains (Your Love Never Fails)” music video

Bible Discovery God always loves us! (Wow, God!) Show a Bible. Today our Bible story tells us God created, or made, people. God created everything in our world, and he made people to be extra special. Let’s find some special things in our room. ● Identify special things in your room. For example, if you have a lot of blue chairs, point out a red one as different and special. Or if you have lots of small blocks, point out a big one as special.

What makes these things special? Invite responses from the whole group. These things are special because they’re different. God made people special. We’re different from everything else God made. We’re not like trees, dogs, or giraffes—we’re even more special! Let’s read in the Bible to find out what makes people different. Read aloud Genesis 1:27. Show the Bible Story poster. God made people in his image. That means we get to show what God is like! God created—that means he made things. So let’s create something now with our Connect Crews.

Supplies • Bible • “God Creates People” Bible Story poster • chenille wires (2 per child) • scissors (1 per Crew)

● Get comfy and sit in knee-to-knee circles with Connect Crews. ● Give each Crew Guide a pair of scissors and two chenille wires per child. ● Crew Guides give each child one chenille wire. ● Help kids form a circle at the top of the chenille wire to resemble a head.

People are special because our heads let us think and talk. We can think and tell people about God! Let’s talk about this in our Connect Crews.

What could you tell people about God? Invite Crew Guides to share first. ● Kids make their wire people “talk” to a friend’s wire person and say something about God. For example, “God is good!” or “God loves you!” Let’s keep creating! Next, we’ll make arms for our people. God told the people he made to care for his creation. Arms help us show God’s care. ● Crew Guides cut remaining chenille wires in half. ● Help each child twist half a chenille wire around the middle of the chenille wire person to make arms. ● Give examples of ways we can use our arms to show what God’s care is like. For example, we can care for a pet by giving it some water. Or we can care for people by clapping for them. ● Kids make their wire people’s hands clap together. No matter how God made us, we can all show his love! Let’s keep creating our people! Next, we’ll add legs. Legs help us move joyfully and show God’s joy to the world. ● Show kids how to twist the other half of the chenille wire around the bottom of the wire person to make legs. ● Have kids make their wire people jump for joy; then invite kids to jump for joy, too! ● Kids give their wire people a hug to show love. God always loves us. (Wow, God!) He loves our heads, our arms, our legs, and everything about us. God’s love makes us his special creations. Let’s find out what God did after he created people. Read the verse from the Bible. You’re showing kids that God’s Word is special. Don’t worry— we’ve kept the verses short for young attention spans.

Read aloud Genesis 2:1-3. God rested. That’s why we have a special day each week to rest and honor God. ● Kids lay their wire people down to rest. ● Kids close their eyes and rest for several moments, too. ● While kids’ eyes are closed, pray and thank God for loving us and creating us in a special way. ● Let wire people continue resting. People are God’s special creation, and God will always love us. (Wow, God!) He made us in his image so we can show his love, his care, and his joy! Now’s a great time for Apply-It Options. Choose one or more that fit your time frame to support today’s Bible discoveries before the closing Goodbye Circle.

Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 1 | Week 2

Apply-It Options Choose one—or all—of these activities to support kids’ learning after Bible Discovery.

Game

Supplies: upbeat music, media player Play upbeat music, move in a special way, and have kids do what you do. For example, hop, crab-walk, or tiptoe. When you randomly stop the music, kids lie down and “rest.” Choose a child to create another special way to move, then resume the music. In this game, we did what the leader did. God is our leader, and God made us to be like him. God always loves us! (Wow, God!) God’s love for us makes us special!

Food-n-Friendship

Supplies: snack, napkins, hand cleanser, Music CD, media player ● Give a napkin to a friend and say, “God always loves us.” (Wow, God!)

“God, You Are So Good” (Music CD track 3) ● Eat snack together.

When we pray, we talk with God. Who has something we can talk with God about?

● Pray together. God always loves us. (Wow, God!) God put people in charge of caring for his creation. Let’s care for our room and clean up our trash.

Coloring Creation

Supplies: “God Creates People” Coloring Creation pages (1 per child), crayons, glue sticks, wet wipes, child-safe scissors, yarn, Music CD, media player God always loves us. (Wow, God!) He made us special. Let’s draw ourselves! ● Draw a face on the person. ● Color the picture. ● Use glue sticks to attach yarn hair to the person. ● Play music as kids create.

“How Wide?” (Ephesians 3:18) (Music CD track 5)

Goodbye Circle

Supplies • Music CD “Goodbye, My Friends” “How Wide?” (Ephesians 3:18) • media player • Savanna Bible Memory Buddy stickers (1 per child)

It’s almost time to say goodbye! Let’s sing our goodbye song as we join hands and make one big circle!

“Goodbye, My Friends” (Music CD track 4) God always loves us. (Wow, God!) We are God’s special creation. We get to show the world what God is like. Sigh loudly. But sometimes we don’t show God’s goodness. We say mean things, our hands grab instead of share, and our feet stomp when we want our own way. That’s why we need Jesus! Jesus came to be with us and show us God’s perfect and special love. ● Pray, thanking Jesus for helping us and for being our friend. ● Show the Bible Memory Buddy poster, and remind kids that Savanna helps us remember God always loves us. (Wow, God!)

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“How Wide?” (Ephesians 3:18) (Music CD track 5)

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● Invite Crew Guides to give kids the Savanna stickers to wear or take home. As they give one to each child, have them say, “[Child’s name], God always loves you.”

● Do Bible Memory Verse motions and move to the music! ● Help wire people wake up and move to the music, too!

Saying each child’s name in a loving way helps kids simply experience God’s love through you!

Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 1 | Week 2

Unit 1 | Week 3

Sin Enters God’s World

In the Beginning Genesis 3:1-24

Bible Point

Spoiler alert: The right answer is not shame or disappointment. God always loves you no matter what. Although their sin separated Adam and Eve from God, God still loved them. They were still his image bearers, and God would send Jesus to get rid of sin and shame for good. Young children are good at showing God’s unending love. When feelings get hurt, they’re quick to forgive and are ready to play or snuggle again. Hold on to that kind of love as you share God’s amazing love with your young friends.

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“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.”

It’s not too difficult to think of something you’ve done wrong. What words do you think God would use to describe how he felt about you the moment you made a bad choice?

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God always loves us.

(Ephesians 3:18)

Prayer

God, thanks for loving me—even when I choose me over you. You love me no matter what, and I love you, too. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prep

Opening Options

Sing & Play

Option Cards*

Music CD*

Pompom Color Matching: multicolored pompoms, white bulletin board paper, markers

Buddy Video DVD*

Play Dough Fruit: play dough, cookie cutters (optional)

media player

Music Video DVD* Savanna Bible Memory Buddy poster

Bible (bookmark Ephesians 3:18)

Bible Discovery & Goodbye Circle “Sin Enters God’s World” Bible Story poster* Music CD* Savanna Bible Memory Buddy stickers* (1 per child) media player Bible (bookmark Genesis 3:1-2, 8, 21) crayons

Apply-It Options Game: no supplies Food-n-Friendship: snack, napkins, hand cleanser, Music CD*, media player Coloring Creation: “Sin Enters God’s World” Coloring Creation pages* (1 per child), crayons, glue sticks, wet wipes, heart stickers (1 per child), Music CD*, media player

* in your Simply Loved Kit 27

Opening Options

Set up some—or both—of these intro activities to start your time together. Each activity connects kids to the Bible Point and to each other. Cut apart these Option Cards and place one by each activity you choose. Crew Guides will follow the directions and build friendships with kids as they make discoveries together!

Pompom Color Matching

Play Dough Fruit

Supplies • multicolored pompoms, white bulletin board paper, markers

Supplies • play dough, cookie cutters (optional)

Cover a table with paper and write the names of fruit using the color of that fruit. For example, write “orange” with an orange marker and “banana” with a yellow marker. Match pompoms to each color of fruit.

Shape dough into different kinds of fruits. God always loves us. He gave Adam and Eve many fruit trees in the garden to eat from. hat is your favorite fruit? Why? What is W your least favorite fruit? Why?

God always loves us. Adam and Eve ate fruit in the garden God had created for them, but eating fruit from one tree got them in big trouble. as someone you know ever been in big H trouble? What happened?

Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 1 | Week 1

Opening Now’s a great time for Opening Options. Choose one—or both—to introduce today’s Bible discoveries.

“The Cleanup Song” (Music CD track 1)

Help kids transition by cleaning up before sitting with their Connect Crews. A Connect Crew is a smaller group of kids with one Crew Guide.

Sing & Play Welcome Hello, friends! I’m so glad you’re here today. Let’s sing our welcome song.

Bible Point Let’s find out today’s Bible Point: God always loves us. Every time you hear the words ”God always loves us,” open your hands and say, “Wow, God!” Let’s try that together.

Supplies • Bible • Music CD

“Hello, My Friends”

• Buddy Video DVD Savanna Bible Memory Buddy video (Week 3) • Music Video DVD “To God Be the Glory” music video “One Thing Remains (Your Love Never Fails)” music video • media player • Savanna Bible Memory Buddy poster

God loves our happy faces. (happy face) God loves our silly faces. (silly face) God always loves us. (open hands and say “Wow, God!”) God loves our good choices. (hands on hips, nod) God loves our kind voices. (cup hands around mouth) God always loves us. (open hands and say “Wow, God!”) Even when we mess up so, (sad face) There’s still one thing we know: (hug self) God always loves us. (open hands and say “Wow, God!”) Repeat several times.

Wow, God!

Repetition cements learning, so be sure to say today’s Bible Point A LOT. Have fun with it! Kids will love listening for it and responding with “Wow, God!”

Let’s sing a song to tell God we love him, too!

“To God Be the Glory” music video

Savanna Bible Memory Buddy Video (Week 3) Savanna is our Bible Memory Buddy. She’s a tall giraffe, and she helps us remember God always loves us. (Wow, God!) ● Show the Bible Memory Buddy poster. ● Explain that Savanna eats leaves on trees. ● In pairs, have one child pretend to be a tree and the other pretend to be a giraffe who’s munching leaves off the tree. Pretend for about 10 seconds, then switch roles. “And may yo u have the power to unde rstand, as al l God’s people should, how wide, how lon g, how high, and how deep his love is.” (Ephesians 3:18 )

Show the Bible. The Bible is God’s true story of love! Our Bible Memory Verse comes from the Bible. Let’s say it together. I’ll say a line, and then you repeat after me. “And may you have the power (make muscles with arms) to understand, (point to head) as all God’s people should, (sweep hands in front of you) how wide, (spread arms wide) how long, (move arm in front like tracing a long line) how high, (stretch up with hand above head) and how deep (crouch down) [God’s] love is.” (hug yourself) (Ephesians 3:18) God’s love is so big. It reaches us when we make good choices and even when we don’t. God always loves us—no matter what! (Wow, God!) Let’s celebrate with another song!

“One Thing Remains (Your Love Never Fails)” music video

Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 1 | Week 3

Bible Discovery God always loves us! (Wow, God!) Hold up a Bible. Today our Bible story tells about something sad God’s first friends, Adam and Eve, did. But he still loved them.

Supplies • Bible • “Sin Enters God’s World” Bible Story poster • crayons

● Get comfy and sit in knee-to-knee circles with Connect Crews.

Tell about a good friend God’s given you. Invite Crew Guides to share first. ● Crew Guides give thumbs-up when everyone has shared. God is a good friend to us—no matter what. God always loves us. (Wow, God!) But our story today begins with a sneaky snake who pretended to be friends with Adam and Eve. ● Make hissing sounds. ● Place arms together and move like snakes.

Tell about a snake you’ve seen.

● Welcome a few responses from the whole group. Read aloud Genesis 3:1-2. God hadn’t told Adam and Eve they couldn’t eat any of the yummy fruit; he gave them plenty to eat because God always loves us. (Wow, God!) God told them not to eat the fruit from one tree. Let’s think about fruit we love. Do what I do! ● Pretend to pick fruit from trees. ● Take turns telling the colors of fruits while others guess what they are. For example, “This fruit is red!”

Read the verse from the Bible. You’re showing kids that God’s Word is special. Don’t worry— we’ve kept the verses short for young attention spans.

● Show the Bible Story poster. God gave them plenty of yummy fruit. But the snake said, “The fruit God told you not to eat will make you extra smart and special, like God.” So Eve ate some and she gave some to Adam. They disobeyed God, but God still loved them. Even when we do what we want to do instead of what God wants, God always loves us. (Wow, God!)

Read aloud Genesis 3:8. Adam and Eve hid because they had done something wrong, and they knew it. They felt guilty and didn’t want God to find them. ● Cover eyes as if hiding. ● Have kids circle up and talk in Connect Crews.

Tell about a time you hid something you did wrong. ● Crew Guides show kids they’re simply loved by giving kids a hug after they share. God found Adam and Eve and asked them what they’d done. They had chosen to do what they wanted to do instead of what God wanted them to do. They wanted to be in charge instead of letting God be in charge. And that’s just not good. Sin is choosing our way instead of God’s way, and it gets in the way of our friendship with God. Adam and Eve had to leave the beautiful garden God made. But God still loved them and took care of them. They were still his special creations. God always loves us. (Wow, God!) Let’s remind Adam and Eve that God always loves them. ● Give each child a crayon. ● Draw hearts on the Bible Story poster. ● Collect crayons. ● Hug yourselves and say, “God always loves me.” Read aloud Genesis 3:21. Repeat, repeat! Feel free to do activities more than once. You’ll give kids time to catch on and jump in.

God showed he still loved Adam and Eve by making them clothes to wear. And even though they had to leave the garden, God still took care of them and their family. Let’s sing a song about God’s love. Sing to the tune of “The Wheels on the Bus.” God always loves us no matter what, (hug self) No matter what, no matter what. (shake finger) God always loves us no matter what, (hug self) His love won’t stop. (shake head “no”) God always loved them, Adam and Eve, (hug self) Adam and Eve, Adam and Eve. (shake finger) God always loved them, Adam and Eve, (hug self) His love won’t stop. (shake head “no”) God loved Adam and Eve, and God loves you no matter what! I’m so glad God always loves us. (Wow, God!)

Now’s a great time for Apply-It Options. Choose one or more that fit your time frame to support today’s Bible discoveries before the closing Goodbye Circle.

Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 1 | Week 3

Apply-It Options

Choose one—or all—of these activities to support kids’ learning after Bible Discovery.

Game

Have kids hide and Crew Guides “find” them by tapping their heads. When kids are found, Crew Guides say to individual kids, “God wants to be your friend.” Found kids wait in the center of the room. Repeat as time allows. God found Adam and Eve when they hid. He still loved them even when they did something wrong. God wants to be your friend no matter what, too, because God always loves us! (Wow, God!)

Food-n-Friendship

Supplies: snack, napkins, hand cleanser, Music CD, media player ● Give a napkin to a friend and say, “God always loves us.” (Wow, God!)

“God, You Are So Good” (Music CD track 3) ● Eat snack together.

When we pray, we talk with Jesus. Who has something we can talk with Jesus about?

● Pray together. Even when we make a mess or a bad choice, God always loves us. (Wow, God!) God gives us a fresh start. Let’s work together to clean up our table and give it a fresh start!

Coloring Creation

Supplies: “Sin Enters God’s World” Coloring Creation pages (1 per child), crayons, glue sticks, wet wipes, heart stickers (1 per child), Music CD, media player God always loves us. (Wow, God!) God still wanted to be friends with Adam and Eve, even after they did something wrong. He even made them clothes to cover their bodies. ● Identify the snake, Adam, Eve, and the fruit trees. ● Invite kids to share what they remember about the Bible story. ● Color the picture. ● Put a heart sticker on the page to show God’s love for Adam and Eve. ● Play music as kids create.

“How Wide?” (Ephesians 3:18) (Music CD track 5)

Goodbye Circle

Supplies • Music CD “Goodbye, My Friends” “How Wide?” (Ephesians 3:18) • media player • Savanna Bible Memory Buddy stickers (1 per child)

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“Goodbye, My Friends” (Music CD track 4) God always loves us. (Wow, God!) God loved Adam and Eve even when they chose to do what they wanted to do instead of what God wanted for them. God still loved them and wanted to be their friend. The Bible tells us God sent Jesus so we can be forgiven when we do wrong things like Adam and Eve did. Let’s celebrate God’s love for us and our friend Jesus! Jesus loves our happy faces. (happy face) Jesus loves our silly faces. (silly face) Jesus always loves us. (open hands and say “Wow, God!”)

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It’s almost time to say goodbye! Let’s sing our goodbye song as we join hands and make one big circle!

Jesus loves our good choices. (hands on hips, nod) Jesus loves our kind voices. (cup hands around mouth) Jesus always loves us. (open hands and say “Wow, God!”) Even when we mess up so, (sad face) There’s still one thing we know: (hug self) Jesus always loves us. (open hands and say “Wow, God!”) ● Repeat the rhyme several times. ● Pray, thanking Jesus for loving and forgiving us. ● Show the Bible Memory Buddy poster, and remind kids that Savanna helps us remember God always loves us. (Wow, God!) ● Invite Crew Guides to give kids each a Savanna sticker by “slithering” it to them like a snake. As they give one to each child, have them say, “[Child’s name], no matter what you do, God always loves you.” Kids may wear stickers or take them home.

“How Wide?” (Ephesians 3:18) (Music CD track 5) Saying each child’s name in a loving way helps kids simply experience God’s love through you!

● Do Bible Memory Verse motions and move to the music!

Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 1 | Week 3

Unit 1 | Week 4

A Flood Covers the Earth

In the Beginning Genesis 6:9–9:17

Bible Point

Ultimately, God loved us so much he sent Jesus to “wash our sins away.” Like the ark rescued Noah and his family, Jesus is our rescuer who got rid of the power of sin in our lives once and for all. So what can young children take away from this story? Young children want to be close to the people they love. That’s why it can be hard for some of them to enter your classroom in the first place. Show kids how much God wants to be close friends with them, and the depths of his love.

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“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.”

Walk the aisles of a department store or browse online and you might see Noah’s ark-themed gift bags, paintings, and even bedsheets. When did this story of God’s judgment become so soft and cuddly? Beyond boats, animals, and rainbows, Noah’s story tells of a sin problem and God’s extreme approach to washing it away. Why so extreme? Because God loves us and wants to be close to us, and sin gets in the way.

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Purpose

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God always loves us.

(Ephesians 3:18)

Prayer

God, thanks for do-overs. Even when I’m drowning in sin, I know you’ve forgiven me because of Jesus and that you want to be my friend. Thank you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prep

Opening Options

Sing & Play

Option Cards*

Music CD*

Pompom Rainbows: multicolored pompoms, white bulletin board paper, markers

Buddy Video DVD*

Play Dough Boats: play dough

Music Video DVD* Savanna Bible Memory Buddy poster* media player Bible (bookmark Ephesians 3:18)

Bible Discovery & Goodbye Circle “A Flood Covers the Earth” Bible Story poster* Music CD* Savanna Bible Memory Buddy stickers* (1 per child) media player Bible (bookmark Genesis 6:17-19; 8:6-9; 9:14-15) 12-inch streamers in a variety of rainbow colors (1 per child)

Apply-It Options Game: no supplies Food-n-Friendship: snack, napkins, hand cleanser, Music CD*, media player Coloring Creation: “A Flood Covers the Earth” Coloring Creation pages* (1 per child), crayons, glue sticks, wet wipes, streamers from Bible Discovery (1 per child), Music CD*, media player

spray bottles of water (optional)

* in your Simply Loved Kit 35

Opening Options

Set up one—or both—of these intro activities to start your time together. Each activity connects kids to the Bible Point and to each other. Cut apart these Option Cards and place one by each activity you choose. Crew Guides will follow the directions and build friendships with kids as they make discoveries together.

Pompom Rainbows

Play Dough Boats

Supplies • multicolored pompoms, white bulletin board paper, markers

Supplies • play dough

Cover a table with paper, then use markers to draw a rainbow. With kids, identify pompom colors and put them in rainbow order (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple). God always loves us. He sent the rainbow to remind us of a special promise he made to us and Noah.

Make a boat and pairs of animals. God always loves us. He told Noah to make a big boat to hold his family and two of every kind of animal. hat kinds of animals would you want to W join you on a boat?

Tell about a rainbow you saw.

Opening Now’s a great time for Opening Options. Choose one—or both—to introduce today’s Bible discoveries.

“The Cleanup Song” (Music CD track 1)

Help kids transition by cleaning up before sitting with their Connect Crews. A Connect Crew is a smaller group of kids with one Crew Guide.

Sing & Play

Supplies • Bible • Music CD

Welcome

Hello, friends! I’m so glad you’re here today. Let’s sing our welcome song.

Bible Point Let’s find out today’s Bible Point: God always loves us. Every time you hear the words ”God always loves us,” open your hands and say, “Wow, God!” Let’s try that together. God always loves us. (Wow, God!) God is with us when things are new or scary. Let’s say something together. Do what I do.

“Hello, My Friends”

• Buddy Video DVD Savanna Bible Memory Buddy video (Week 4)

• Music Video DVD

“One Thing Remains (Your Love Never Fails)” music video

“We Can Trust Him” (Psalm 33:4) music video

• media player • Savanna Bible Memory Buddy poster

There’s no need to fuss. (shake head no) God’s love is with us. (hug yourself) God always loves us. (Wow, God!) Repeat several times.

Wow, God!

Repetition cements learning, so be sure to say today’s Bible Point A LOT. Have fun with it! Kids will love listening for it and responding with “Wow, God!”

Let’s sing a song to tell God we love him, too!

“One Thing Remains (Your Love Never Fails)” music video

Savanna Bible Memory Buddy Video (Week 4) Savanna is our Bible Memory Buddy. She’s a giraffe! ● Show the Bible Memory Buddy poster. ● Explain that giraffes drink from a watering hole, and they usually go to get a drink with a buddy. Show the Bible. The Bible is God’s true story of love! Our Bible Memory Verse comes from the Bible. Let’s say it together. I’ll say a line, and then you repeat it after me. “And may yo u have the power to unde rstand, as al l God’s people should, how wide, how lon g, how high, and how deep his love is.” (Ephesians 3:18 )

“And may you have the power (make muscles with arms) to understand, (point to head) as all God’s people should, (sweep hands in front of you) how wide, (spread arms wide) how long, (move arm in front like tracing a long line) how high, (stretch up with hand above head) and how deep (crouch down) [God’s] love is.” (hug yourself) (Ephesians 3:18) God’s love for us is deeper and wider than even the water that flooded the whole earth! God always loves us, and his love protects us and cares for us just as it did for Noah. Let’s celebrate with another song!

“We Can Trust Him” (Psalm 33:4) music video

Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 1 | Week 4

Bible Discovery Hold up a Bible. Today our Bible story tells about a man named Noah and a big flood. A flood happens when the ground is covered with water. God sent a flood to wash away sin. Sin happens when we want to be in charge. We choose our way instead of God’s way. I’ll show you what I mean. ● Have kids walk around the perimeter of the room in one direction. ● Sin is choosing to go our own way. Walk around the room in the opposite direction. Gently bump into kids as you weave among them, going the wrong way.

What happened when I went my own way? Invite a few responses from the whole group.

● Like going my own way messed up our walking, sin messed up God’s world. God doesn’t like sin because it hurts us and our friendship with him. He wanted to get rid of sin. God’s friend Noah chose to go God’s way. The Bible says he was righteous. That means what he did was right and he stayed close to God. When the flood came, God kept Noah and his family and two of every kind of animal safe. Let’s get in a close circle and talk with our Connect Crews.

Supplies • Bible • “A Flood Covers the Earth” Bible Story poster • 12-inch streamers in a variety of rainbow colors (1 per child) • spray bottles of water (optional)

● Get comfy and sit in knee-to-knee circles with Connect Crews.

Which kinds of animals have you seen this week? Invite Crew Guides to share first.

● Crew Guides give thumbs-up when everyone has shared. ● Show the Bible Story poster. ● Identify some of the animals on the poster. God made sure Noah brought every one of those animals on the big boat before the earth was covered with water! Wow, God! Read aloud Genesis 6:17-19.

Read the verse from the Bible. You’re showing kids that God’s Word is special. Don’t worry— we’ve kept the verses short for young attention spans.

God told Noah exactly how to make the big boat that could hold all his family members and two of each kind of animal. Let’s pretend to build a big boat. ● Pretend to chop down big trees. ● Pretend to carry all the trees to an empty space. ● Pretend to hammer nails into the wood. ● Pretend to climb a ladder onto the boat. God always loves us. (Wow, God!) He loved Noah and his family and protected them from the water. ● Pretend to be on a boat that’s floating on big waves. ● Make rain and storm sounds. ● Use spray bottles with water to mist kids with “rain” (optional). ● Make animal sounds or motions to show how animals might react to a storm. The Bible says it rained for 40 days and 40 nights! ● Count aloud to 40. When it stopped raining, the whole earth was covered in water—even the tops of the mountains. Noah’s family and the animals waited on the boat for months and months! God kept them safe the whole time because God always loves us! (Wow, God!) ● Have kids huddle together on the “boat” and pray, thanking God for loving us and keeping us safe. ● Let’s read about how they knew it was okay to leave the boat. Read aloud Genesis 8:6-9. At first the birds didn’t find any dry land. But Noah tried again and again until a bird came back with a leaf from a tree. Then God told Noah it was safe to leave the boat. God had kept Noah and his family safe and gave the world a fresh start. ● Pretend to be birds by flapping arms. ● Cheer to show excitement about leaving the boat. Have kids shout and echo “God always loves us!” (Wow, God!) ● Pretend to be animals and people leaving the boat. Shout “Thank you, God!” as you move. ● God made a promise to Noah—and to us! Read aloud Genesis 9:14-15. Now’s a great time for Apply-It Options. Choose one or more that fit your time frame to support today’s Bible discoveries before the closing Goodbye Circle.

After the storm, God sent a rainbow and promised to never again wash away sin with a flood. ● Have Crew Guides give each child a streamer to represent a rainbow color. As they give each child a streamer, have them say: “[Child’s name], God always loves us.” (Wow, God!) ● When everyone has a streamer, make a “rainbow” by waving the streamers above your heads.

Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 1 | Week 4

Apply-It Options

Choose one—or all—of these activities to support kids’ learning after Bible Discovery.

Game

Sit in a circle and play a game like Doggie, Doggie, Where’s Your Bone? One child closes eyes while the group decides who’ll hide a “leaf”—a small classroom object like a green marker or crayon. Kids all ask, “Birdie, Birdie, where’s the leaf?” and the child opens eyes and guesses who’s holding it. Play several rounds. In our Bible story, a bird found a leaf to show Noah there was dry ground. God loved Noah and his family and had kept them safe. Now they could leave the boat! God takes care of us, too. God always loves us. (Wow, God!)

Tell about a time God kept you safe.

Food-n-Friendship

Supplies: snack, napkins, hand cleanser, Music CD, media player ● Give a napkin to a friend and say, “God always loves us.” (Wow, God!)

“God, You Are So Good” (Music CD track 3) ● Eat snack together.

When we pray, we talk with Jesus. Who has something we can talk with Jesus about?

● Pray together. God always loves us. (Wow, God!) His love protects us like it protected Noah and the animals. Let’s pretend to be our favorite animals as we clean up!

Coloring Creation

Supplies: “A Flood Covers the Earth” Coloring Creation pages (1 per child), crayons, glue sticks, wet wipes, streamers from Bible Discovery (1 per child), Music CD, media player God always loves us. (Wow, God!) God promised to never flood the earth again, and he wants to be forever friends with us! ● Identify parts of the Bible story on the picture. ● Color the picture. ● Use glue sticks to attach the streamer given during Bible Discovery to look like a rainbow in the sky. ● Play music as kids create.

“How Wide?” (Ephesians 3:18) (Music CD track 5)

Goodbye Circle

Supplies • Music CD “Goodbye, My Friends” “How Wide?” (Ephesians 3:18) • media player • Savanna Bible Memory Buddy stickers (1 per child)

It’s almost time to say goodbye! Let’s sing our goodbye song as we join hands and make one big circle!

“Goodbye, My Friends” (Music CD track 4) God always loves us. (Wow, God!) But God does not love sin. We sin when we choose our own way instead of God’s way. Sin keeps us from being close to God. And sometimes it comes between us and the people we love. ● Have kids stretch out their arms and make the circle so big that they can’t reach and touch the people beside them. But God always loves us. (Wow, God!) God wants to be close to us so we can be good friends. He doesn’t want sin to keep us away from him. He sent Jesus to wash away our sins, so we can be close to God again.

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● Pray, thanking Jesus for loving us and being our friend. Because of our friend Jesus, we can always be close to God. God always loves us. (Wow, God!) ● Show the Bible Memory Buddy poster, and remind kids that Savanna helps us remember God always loves us. (Wow, God!) ● Invite Crew Guides to give each child a Savanna sticker and say, “[Child’s name], God always loves you.” Kids may wear the sticker or take it home.

“How Wide?” (Ephesians 3:18) (Music CD track 5) ● Do Bible Memory Verse motions and move to the music!

Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 1 | Week 4

Unit 2 | Week 1

God Calls Abram

God Has a Plan Genesis 12:1-8; 15:1-6

Bible Point

We can trust God.

Purpose

“For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does.”

Do you ever wonder what’s coming next? Or do you find yourself advising God on how to carry out his plans? Abram did. He’d obeyed God’s call and believed his promises. But that doesn’t mean Abram didn’t wonder at times. So as Abram waited, God painted a starry-night portrait of his plans. And after some stargazing with God, Abram’s trust in God was renewed.

(Psalm 33:4)

Trust isn’t generally hard for young children. They’re often eager to try something new and explore new places. Even though you don’t know God’s plan for their lives or what will happen to them in the future, you can look for ways to bless them today with the truth that they can trust God’s plan for them.

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Prayer

God, please bless the children in my care. May my words and actions show them how much you love and like them. Thanks for allowing me to be part of the plan you have for their lives. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prep

Opening Options

Sing & Play

Option Cards*

Music CD*

Felt Starry Skies: felt pieces in various colors and sizes, child-safe scissors (optional)

Buddy Video DVD* Music Video DVD* Rae Bible Memory Buddy poster*

Chalk Homes: chalk, dark media player colored bulletin board paper Bible (bookmark Psalm 33:4)

Bible Discovery & Goodbye Circle “God Calls Abram” Bible Story poster* Music CD* Rae Bible Memory Buddy stickers* (1 per child)

Apply-It Options Game: no supplies Food-n-Friendship: snack, napkins, hand cleanser, Music CD*, media player

Coloring Creation: “God Calls Abram” Coloring Creation pages* (1 per media player child), crayons, glue Bible (bookmark Genesis sticks, wet wipes, glitter, 12:1-2, 7; 15:1, 5) Music CD*, media player

* in your Simply Loved Kit 43

Opening Options

Felt Starry Skies

Chalk Homes

Supplies • felt pieces in various colors and sizes, child-safe scissors (optional)

Supplies • chalk, dark-colored bulletin board paper

Hang a piece of dark-colored felt on a wall. Use scissors to cut smaller pieces. Place small pieces of felt onto the large felt piece to look like stars. Sing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” as you add stars to the “sky.” Where do you go to look at the stars?

Use chalk to draw your home on the paper. What’s your home like? Our home drawings make a nice neighborhood. It’s fun to live near friends! In our Bible story today, we’ll hear about a man who had to move away from his friends. But he trusted God would be with him. We can trust God!

The stars shine over us at night. And God watches over us all the time. We can trust God.

44 44

Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 2 | Week 1

Opening Now’s a great time for Opening Options. Choose one—or both—to introduce today’s Bible discoveries.

“The Cleanup Song” (Music CD track 1)

Help kids transition by cleaning up before sitting with their Connect Crews. A Connect Crew is a smaller group of kids with one Crew Guide.

Sing & Play

Supplies • Bible • Music CD

Welcome

Hello, friends! I’m so glad you’re here today. Let’s sing our welcome song.

“Hello, My Friends” (Music CD track 2) Let’s say hello to our Crew Guides. They’re our go-to friends who are here to have fun and learn along with us. ● Kids give their Crew Guides a handshake.

Bible Point Today’s Bible Point tells us we can trust God. Every time you hear the words ”We can trust God!” point up and say, “Trust God!” Let’s try that together. Every day, in every way, (nod yes) We can trust God! (“Trust God” and point up) When things are new, (look around) We can trust God! (“Trust God” and point up) Every day, in every way, (nod yes) We can trust God! (“Trust God” and point up)

“Hello, My Friends”

• Buddy Video DVD Rae Bible Memory Buddy video (Week 1)

• Music Video DVD

“We Can Trust Him” (Psalm 33:4) music video

“He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” music video

• media player • Rae Bible Memory Buddy poster

Repeat several times.

Trust God!

Repetition cements learning, so be sure to say today’s Bible Point A LOT. Have fun with it! Kids will love listening for it and responding with “Trust God!”

Now let’s sing about trusting God!

“We Can Trust Him” (Psalm 33:4) music video

Rae Bible Memory Buddy video (Week 1) Rae is our Bible Memory Buddy, and she’s a giant manta ray.

Rae

● Show the Bible Memory Buddy poster. ● Explain that giant manta rays are some of the world’s largest fish. ● Have kids spread out their arms like giant manta ray fins and pretend to glide through the ocean.

Fo orr th thee wo word rd of of th thee Lo Lord rd ho holds lds tru ee ca true,e, an cann tru trust andd st eve every ryth thing ing he he do does. es.”” alm alm 33:4 33:4))

Copyright Copyright © 2020 © 2020 Group Group Publishing, Publishing, Inc., Inc., Loveland, Loveland, COCO • group.com • group.com • Printed • Printed in in thethe United United States States of of America America • 12100003161 • 12100003161 6565

Rae reminds us that we can trust God. (Trust God!) Show the Bible. The Bible is God’s true story of love! Our Bible Memory Verse comes from the Bible. Let’s say it together. I’ll say a line, and then you repeat after me. “For the word of the Lord (cup hands around mouth) holds true, (give thumbs-up) and we can trust (pretend to grab on to something with both hands) everything he does.” (spread hands in front of you) (Psalm 33:4) When we trust, we hold tight to what we know is true. And God holds the whole world in his hands. Let’s sing about that.

“He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” music video

Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 2 | Week 1

Bible Discovery We can trust God! (Trust God!) Hold up the Bible. Our story from the Bible tells about a man named Abram. Abram lived in a place called Haran.

Supplies • Bible • “God Calls Abram” Bible Story poster

● Tell the name of your church’s town. ● Abram knew where he lived really well. Let’s talk in our Crews about where we live. ● Get comfy and sit in knee-to-knee circles with Connect Crews.

What’s it like where you live? Briefly tell about where you live. Perhaps there are farms with cows or there’s a park close to your house.

● Invite Crew Guides to share first, then invite kids to tell about where they live. ● Crew Guides give thumbs-up when everyone has shared. Thanks for telling us about where you live. Imagine leaving where you live to go somewhere new! That’s what God told Abram to do. Let’s read what God said to Abram. Read aloud Genesis 12:1-2. God told Abram that he would bless him. That means God liked Abram and he had special plans for him and his whole family. God promised that Abram would have a big family someday and God would use that family to bless lots of people.

● Explain that sometimes we say “Bless you!” when people sneeze. ● Have everyone pretend to sneeze and tell each other “Bless you!” ● Pretend to blow your noses and stop sneezing. God didn’t bless Abram because he sneezed; that’s silly. God blessed Abram because he wanted good things for Abram. God would make those good things happen. So Abram trusted God and moved to a new place. Let’s pretend we’re Abram and his family, and let’s follow God’s instructions and go to a new place. I’m not sure where we’ll go, but I know we can trust God. (Trust God!) ● Form a line. As the line leader, lead everyone around the room. Point out different imaginary things you see along the way like hills, sheep, and trees. ● Walk around for about one minute. If you’re able to, wander outside your classroom for a bit. ● Have everyone sit down in a new place.

Abram stopped in a town called Shechem (Sheh-kum). And he camped beside a tree. God told Abram that his camping spot would be his home someday. God would give him that land as a place for his family to live. Let’s read what God said. Read the verse from the Bible. You’re showing kids that God’s Word is special. Don’t worry— we’ve kept the verses short for young attention spans.

Read aloud Genesis 12:7. Abram built an altar. An altar was a special table made of rocks and was where people gave gifts to God. Let’s build a pretend altar here in our new place. ● Gather pretend rocks into a pile. ● Pray, and thank God for helping you find a new place. After he built an altar, Abram kept traveling. He stayed in different places, trusting that God’s promise would come true. God would bless him with land and a family someday. Let’s travel to another new place. ● Form a line. As the line leader, lead everyone around the room again. Point out different imaginary things you see along the way like tents, palaces, and streams. ● Walk around for about one minute. If you’re outside, you could wander back to your classroom. ● Have everyone sit down in a new place. Sometime later, God talked to Abram again. Let’s read what he said. Read aloud Genesis 15:1. God reminded Abram of his promise to bless and protect Abram, but Abram wasn’t sure he believed God. It had been a while, and Abram and his wife didn’t even have children yet. Abram asked, “What good are your blessings if I don’t have a son?” Abram wondered if God’s promise would come true. ● Invite Crews to get cozy in knee-to-knee circles.

When have you wondered if someone would keep a promise to you?

Maybe someone promised to give you ice cream after supper or play with you later.

● Invite Crew Guides to share first and then give time for each child to talk. We may wonder if people will keep their promises. But we can trust God. (Trust God!) God always keeps his promises. God wanted to show Abram something, so they went outside and looked up at the stars. ● Show the Bible Story poster. ● Have kids look up and imagine a sky full of stars. ● Pretend to see stars and point out really bright ones; mention pictures the stars make, such as the Big Dipper. ● Pretend to count the stars you see. Count really fast to 10, then start over at 1 and count to 10 again really fast. Repeat several times as if counting a lot.

Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 2 | Week 1

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Wow! There are too many stars in the sky. We can’t begin to count them all! Let’s see why God wanted Abram to look at the stars. Read aloud Genesis 15:5. Descendants are family members! God said Abram would have a big family. That’s a big promise! Abram believed God. Abram trusted that what God said would come true. We can trust God! (Trust God!) God always keeps his promises. God made a promise to Abram, and God makes promises to us. What God says is true. Do these actions with me. ● God says he loves us a lot, and he’ll love us forever. Hug yourself. ● God says he has a plan for our lives, and he’ll guide us and help us. March in place. ● God says he’ll always be with us, and we’re never alone. Hug a friend. We don’t usually build altars with rocks today to thank God, but we can make a thank-you huddle and praise God for keeping his promises. Let’s make one now! ● Gather everyone, and put your hands together in a huddle. ● Thank you, God, for blessing us and keeping your promises to us. Even though we don’t know all your plans for us, we trust you. In Jesus’ name, amen. ● Count to three, then shout, “We can trust God!” and have kids lift their arms as they say, “Trust God!”

Now’s a great time for Apply-It Options. Choose one or more that fit your time frame to support today’s Bible discoveries before the closing Goodbye Circle.

Apply-It Options

Choose one—or all—of these activities to support kids’ learning after Bible Discovery.

Game

● Have everyone spread out across one side of your room. Clear objects from the center of the room. ● Everyone will “travel” across the room to a new place. ● Call out a way for kids to move as they travel. Ideas include hopping, marching, leaping, and tiptoeing. ● Play as time (and energy) allows, calling out new ways to move each round.

Like you trusted that I’d guide you for how to move, we can trust God. (Trust God!) He’ll guide us and help us as we move through each day.

Food-n-Friendship

Supplies: snack, napkins, hand cleanser, Music CD, media player ● Give a napkin to a friend and say, “We can trust God.” (Trust God!)

“God, You Are So Good” (Music CD track 3) ● Eat snack together.

When we pray, we talk with Jesus. Who has something we can talk with Jesus about?

● Pray together. Abram trusted God and moved to a new place. We can trust God! (Trust God!) Let’s clean up our snack and then move on to our next activity!

Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 2 | Week 1

Coloring Creation Supplies: “God Calls Abram” Coloring Creation pages (1 per child), crayons, glue sticks, wet wipes, glitter, Music CD, media player

We can trust God. (Trust God!) God told Abram to try to count the stars in the sky. How many stars do you count on this picture? ● Count the stars together. ● Color the picture. ● Use glue sticks to make dots on the stars. ● Sprinkle glitter onto the glue, then gently shake off the extra glitter. ● Play music as kids create.

“We Can Trust Him” (Psalm 33:4) (Music CD track 6)

Goodbye Circle

It’s almost time to say goodbye! Let’s sing our goodbye song as we join hands and make one big circle!

“Goodbye, My Friends” (Music CD track 4) We can trust God. (Trust God!) God made a promise to Abram. Later in the Bible, God made another promise to Abram’s family. God promised to send Jesus! Jesus came to bless the whole world. Jesus shows us how much God loves us, and he’s our forever friend. ● Show the Bible Memory Buddy poster, and remind kids that Rae helps us remember we can trust God. (Trust God!) ● Invite Crew Guides to give each child a Rae sticker to wear or take home. As they give one to each child, have them give kids a high-five and say, “[Child’s name], you can trust God.”

Supplies • Music CD “Goodbye, My Friends” “We Can Trust Him” (Psalm 33:4) • media player • Rae Bible Memory Buddy stickers (1 per child)

e Lord word of than trust e th r o “F ec e, and w holds tru ing he does.” everyth (Psalm

“We Can Trust Him” (Psalm 33:4) (Music CD track 6) ● Do Bible Memory Verse motions and move to the music! Co p

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Saying each child’s name in a loving way helps kids simply experience God’s love through you!

Unit 2 | Week 2

Isaac Is Born

God Has a Plan Genesis 18:1-15; 21:1-7

Bible Point

We can trust God.

Purpose

“For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does.”

Who in your life has a contagious laugh, the kind of chuckle that brings a smile to your face and a spark of joy to your heart? As promised, God provided a baby named Isaac, which means “laughter,” to elderly Abraham and Sarah. We can trust God, even as we wait on his perfect timing. Baby “Laughter” was a promise fulfilled, and he was worth the wait.

(Psalm 33:4)

Look for opportunities to spark fun and laughter throughout this lesson. And with every giggle and smile, remind kids that they can trust God.

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Prayer

God, your trustworthy character brings a smile to my face. Thank you for keeping your promises to me and the kids I lead. May your love and joy fill our time together this week. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prep

Opening Options

Sing & Play

Option Cards*

Music CD*

Felt Baby Blankets: felt pieces in various colors and sizes

Buddy Video DVD*

Chalk Faces: chalk, darkcolored bulletin board paper

Music Video DVD* Rae Bible Memory Buddy poster* media player Bible (bookmark Psalm 33:4)

Bible Discovery & Goodbye Circle

Apply-It Options

“Isaac Is Born” Bible Story poster*

Game: lullaby music and media player (optional)

Music CD*

Food-n-Friendship: snack, napkins, hand cleanser, Music CD*, media player

Rae Bible Memory Buddy stickers* (1 per child)

Coloring Creation: “Isaac Is Born” Coloring media player Creation pages* (1 per Bible (bookmark Genesis child), crayons, glue 18:1-2, 10-12, 13-14; sticks, wet wipes, tissues, 21:1-2, 6) Music CD*, media player

* in your Simply Loved Kit 53

Opening Options

Felt Baby Blankets

Chalk Faces

Supplies • felt pieces in various colors and sizes

Supplies • chalk, dark-colored bulletin board paper

Wrap one of your arms in the felt, and pretend you’re holding a newborn baby. Make baby noises.

Use chalk to draw happy faces and surprised faces on the paper.

ho do you know who has a baby in W their family?

What’s something that makes you giggle?

In our Bible story, we’ll hear about a couple who waited a long time for a baby. They had to trust God while they waited. We can trust God, too!

These happy faces make me giggle. In our Bible story, we’ll hear about a woman who laughed when she heard surprising news. When life is surprising, we can trust God!

54 54

Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 2 | Week 1

Opening Now’s a great time for Opening Options. Choose one—or both—to introduce today’s Bible discoveries.

“The Cleanup Song” (Music CD track 1)

Help kids transition by cleaning up before sitting with their Connect Crews. A Connect Crew is a smaller group of kids with one Crew Guide.

Sing & Play Welcome Hello, friends! I’m so glad you’re here today. Let’s sing our welcome song.

“Hello, My Friends” (Music CD track 2) Let’s say hello to our Crew Guides. They’re our go-to friends who are here to have fun and learn along with us. ● Kids give their Crew Guides a fist bump.

Bible Point Today’s Bible Point tells us we can trust God. Every time you hear the words ”We can trust God!” point up and say, “Trust God!” Let’s try that together. Repeat the Bible Point several times.

Supplies • Bible • Music CD

“Hello, My Friends”

• Buddy Video DVD

Rae Bible Memory Buddy video (Week 2)

• Music Video DVD “Made for This” music video

“We Can Trust Him” (Psalm 33:4) music video

• media player • Rae Bible Memory Buddy poster

Every day, in every way, (nod yes) We can trust God! (“Trust God!” and point up) When we have to wait, (fold arms across chest) We can trust God! (“Trust God!” and point up) Every day, in every way, (nod yes) We can trust God! (“Trust God!” and point up) Repeat several times.

Trust God!

Repetition cements learning, so be sure to say today’s Bible Point A LOT. Have fun with it! Kids will love listening for it and responding with “Trust God!”

God has good plans for us. Let’s celebrate with a song.

“Made for This” music video

Rae Bible Memory Buddy video (Week 2) Our friend Rae reminds us that we can trust God. (Trust God!)

Rae

● Show the Bible Memory Buddy poster. ● Explain that the word manta is a Spanish word that means “blanket.” ● Have kids pretend to wrap up in a blanket. When we’re wrapped up in a blanket, we feel warm and safe. That’s like God’s love! God’s love is all around us, so we can trust God is with us no matter what.

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Show the Bible. Our Bible Memory Verse comes from the Bible—God’s true story of love! Let’s say it together. I’ll say a line, and then you repeat after me. “For the word of the Lord (cup hands around mouth) holds true, (give thumbs-up) and we can trust (pretend to grab on to something with both hands) everything he does.” (spread hands in front of you) (Psalm 33:4) When we’re waiting for something good to happen, we can trust God. (Trust God!) Let’s sing and celebrate!

“We Can Trust Him” (Psalm 33:4) music video

Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 2 | Week 2

Bible Discovery We can trust God! (Trust God!) Hold up the Bible. Our story from the Bible tells about a man named Abraham and his wife, Sarah. Abraham’s name used to be Abram, but God changed it. ● Have Crews circle up knee-to-knee. ● Have everyone go around the circle and say their names.

If you could change your name, what would you change it to? It can be serious or silly.

● Encourage Crews to giggle and laugh as kids make up new names. ● Crew Guides give thumbs-up when everyone has shared. Abraham got a new name, and in our Bible story, we’ll hear some news that made his wife, Sarah, laugh. The story starts with visitors coming to Abraham and Sarah’s home. When visitors come to our houses, they often knock on the door.

Supplies • Bible • “Isaac Is Born” Bible Story poster

● Have everyone pretend to be visitors and count as they knock three times on an imaginary door. Repeat a few times.

Who’s the last person who knocked on your door? Welcome a few responses from the whole group.

Let’s read about the visitors who came to Abraham and Sarah’s home. Read aloud Genesis 18:1-2. The visitors didn’t even get a chance to knock! Abraham saw them and ran to greet them. They were very special visitors from God! So Abraham gave them extra-special treatment.

Read the verse from the Bible. You’re showing kids that God’s Word is special. Don’t worry— we’ve kept the verses short for young attention spans.

● He gave them a seat in the shade. Crew Guides pretend to be a tree with branches, and kids gather to sit in the shade of their Crew’s “tree.” ● He had servants wash their feet. Crew Guides sit with kids and pretend to wash their feet. Giggle, reminding them not to tickle! ● And Sarah prepared an extra-special meal for the visitors.

What special food would you want someone to make for you? Invite responses from the whole group.

● The visitors ate yummy food under the shady tree. Have everyone pretend to eat bread, then meat, then yogurt, and then drink milk.

Welcome a few responses. Be sure to summarize what kids say so everyone can hear.

While they were eating, the special visitors asked where Sarah was. Abraham said she was inside the tent. Then the visitors said something surprising!

Read aloud Genesis 18:10-12. Sarah? Have a baby? At her old age? Grandmas don’t usually have babies. Chuckle. Hearing this news made Sarah laugh. Show the Bible Story poster. Let’s laugh together. ● Have everyone laugh loudly. ● Have everyone laugh quietly. ● Have everyone laugh silently. Sarah didn’t even laugh out loud, but the special visitors from God knew she had laughed. Read aloud Genesis 18:13-14. The visitors said nothing is too hard for God. Even if it takes a long time for something to happen, we can trust God. (Trust God!) Let’s talk with our Crews again. ● Have Crews circle up and sit knee to knee.

When have you had to wait a long time for something good to happen?

Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 2 | Week 2

● Invite Crew Guides to share first and then give each child a turn. Abraham and Sarah had wanted a baby for a long time. They waited years for God to give them a baby. They had to trust God and wait. Let’s practice waiting. ● Have kids close their eyes. Tell them to wait 10 seconds before they open them. Count aloud to 10, then have kids open their eyes. ● Have kids crouch low to the ground. Tell them to wait 15 seconds before they jump in the air. Count aloud to 15, then jump together. ● Have kids sit very quietly. Tell them to wait 20 seconds before they make silly baby noises. Count aloud to 20, then make baby sounds together. We can trust God! (Trust God!) What God said was true; Abraham and Sarah had a baby. Read aloud Genesis 21:1-2, 6. Baby Isaac. Chuckle. The name Isaac means “laughter”! Let’s laugh with Sarah as we pretend to hold a baby. ● Pretend to rock a baby as you laugh together. ● Pretend to play peekaboo with the baby and laugh together some more. We can trust God. (Trust God!) God gave Abraham and Sarah a baby boy. Now they had a family! God had big plans for Abraham’s family. There’d be more days with laughter, and there’d be some sad days without many smiles. But God would be with them, just like God is with us! We can trust God. (Trust God!)

Now’s a great time for Apply-It Options. Choose one or more that fit your time frame to support today’s Bible discoveries before the closing Goodbye Circle.

Apply-It Options

Choose one—or all—of these activities to support kids’ learning after Bible Discovery.

Game

Supplies: lullaby music and media player (optional) Choose one person to be the “Baby.” He or she will sit in the center of your playing space and pretend to be a sleeping baby. If you have a large group, designate several “babies.” ● Everyone will tiptoe around the room quietly as the Baby sleeps. Play lullaby music (optional). ● Sporadically stop the music and shout, “Baby’s awake!” Then the Baby will jump up and try to tag someone before that person can run and touch a wall. ● If tagged, the person becomes the new Baby.

Food-n-Friendship

Supplies: snack, napkins, hand cleanser, Music CD, media player ● Give a napkin to a friend and say, “We can trust God.” (Trust God!)

“God, You Are So Good” (Music CD track 3) ● Eat snack together.

When we pray, we talk with Jesus. Who has something we can talk with Jesus about?

Supplies: “Isaac Is Born” Coloring Creation pages (1 per child), crayons, glue sticks, wet wipes, tissues, Music CD, media player We can trust God. (Trust God!) God gave Abraham and Sarah a baby boy, and they named him Isaac. Let’s color the picture and give Isaac a soft baby blanket. ● Color the picture. ● Glue a small piece of tissue on the picture to “swaddle” the baby. ● Play music as kids create.

● Pray together. God provides the food we need. We can trust God. (Trust God!) Let’s clean up our snack!

Babies trust the people who take care of them. They need help every day. And we can trust God. (Trust God!) We need God’s help every day.

Coloring Creation

Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 2 | Week 2

“We Can Trust Him” (Psalm 33:4) (Music CD track 6)

Goodbye Circle

It’s almost time to say goodbye! Let’s sing our goodbye song as we join hands and make one big circle!

“Goodbye, My Friends” (Music CD track 4) We can trust God. (Trust God!) They had to wait a long time, but God kept his promise and gave Abraham and Sarah a baby. Later in the Bible, people waited a long time for another baby to be born—Jesus! Baby Jesus came to earth to show us God’s love.

Supplies • Music CD “Goodbye, My Friends” “We Can Trust Him” (Psalm 33:4) • media player • Rae Bible Memory Buddy stickers (1 per child)

● Pretend to hold baby Jesus and tell him “We love you, Jesus!” ● Show the Bible Memory Buddy poster, and remind kids that Rae helps us remember we can trust God. (Trust God!) ● Invite Crew Guides to give each child a Rae sticker to wear or take home. Have Crew Guides make Rae “swim” through the air toward the child and say, “[Child’s name], you can trust God.”

e Lord word of than trust e th r o “F ec e, and w holds tru ing he does.” everyth (Psalm

“We Can Trust Him” (Psalm 33:4) (Music CD track 6) ● Do Bible Memory Verse motions and move to the music! Co p

yri g

Group Publishing, Inc.

Saying each child’s name in a loving way helps kids simply experience God’s love through you!

Unit 2 | Week 3

Jacob Steals Esau’s Blessing

God Has a Plan Genesis 25:19-26; 27

Bible Point

“For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does.”

We can trust God.

Purpose

(Psalm 33:4)

Can you think of a time things seemed to be going all wrong? You thought you were following God, but it wasn’t working out the way you thought it would. Did you try to manipulate or control the situation so it’d turn back in your favor? How did that work out? Or did you trust God and watch things fall into place? In Jacob’s case, he and his mom made a big mess by manipulating the situation, yet God’s plan still prevailed. Young children probably don’t have a vision of God’s plan for them. But they do know the difference between waiting and demanding something happen right now. Trusting God to carry out good things for them can offer immense comfort in a world where they have very little control.

Co p

yr ig

Grou p Publishing, Inc.

Prayer

God, I know you have perfect plans for me and for each child I’ll lead this week. Help me let go of control and let you carry out your plans—certainly you’ll do a better job of it than me. I trust you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prep

Opening Options

Sing & Play

Option Cards*

Music CD*

Felt Cover-Up: felt pieces in various colors and sizes

Buddy Video DVD*

Chalk Dream Drawings: chalk, dark-colored bulletin board paper

Music Video DVD* Rae Bible Memory Buddy poster* media player Bible (bookmark Psalm 33:4)

Bible Discovery & Goodbye Circle “Jacob Steals Esau’s Blessing” Bible Story poster* Music CD* Rae Bible Memory Buddy stickers* (1 per child)

Apply-It Options Game: classroom object(s) Food-n-Friendship: snack, napkins, hand cleanser, Music CD*, media player

Coloring Creation: “Jacob Steals Esau’s Blessing” Coloring Creation pages media player (1 per child), crayons, Bible (bookmark Genesis glue sticks, wet wipes, 25:23; 27:6-8, 32-34) brown or tan felt pieces, child-safe scissors, Music CD*, media player

* in your Simply Loved Kit 63

Opening Options

Felt Cover-Up

Chalk Dream Drawings

Supplies • felt pieces in various colors and sizes

Supplies • chalk, dark-colored bulletin board paper

Place your hands on a table and cover one with felt. Feel the difference between a smooth hand and a “hairy” hand. Choose someone to close eyes, touch a friend’s hands, and try to guess who the person is.

Draw lines on the paper to make a road. On the road, use chalk to draw what you want to be when you grow up.

hen has someone you know played a W trick on someone else? Jacob tricked his dad by making his hand feel hairy like his brother’s. He thought that was how he could get a blessing. God had a blessing for Jacob, but being sneaky like that wasn’t the way for Jacob to get it. Instead, we can trust God with his plans for us.

64 64

Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 2 | Week 3

hat do you hope to be when you grow up? W Tell why. We might or might not become what we drew today, but God has a plan for us. No matter what, we can trust God. We can follow God’s plan like we follow the lines on a road.

Opening Now’s a great time for Opening Options. Choose one—or both—to introduce today’s Bible discoveries.

“The Cleanup Song” (Music CD track 1)

Help kids transition by cleaning up before sitting with their Connect Crews. A Connect Crew is a smaller group of kids with one Crew Guide.

Sing & Play

Supplies • Bible • Music CD

Welcome

Hello, friends! I’m so glad you’re here today. Let’s sing our welcome song.

“Hello, My Friends” (Music CD track 2) Let’s say hello to our Crew Guides. They’re our go-to friends who are here to have fun and learn along with us. ● Kids give their Crew Guides a pat on the back.

Bible Point Today’s Bible Point tells us we can trust God. Every time you hear the words ”we can trust God!” point up to God in heaven and say, “Trust God!” Let’s try that together.

“Hello, My Friends”

• Buddy Video DVD Rae Bible Memory Buddy video (Week 3)

• Music Video DVD

“Let’s Get a Little Crazy” music video

“We Can Trust Him” (Psalm 33:4) music video

• media player • Rae Bible Memory Buddy poster

Every day, in every way, (nod yes) We can trust God! (“Trust God” and point up) Even when we’re mad, (make angry face) We can trust God! (“Trust God” and point up) Every day, in every way, We can trust God! (“Trust God” and point up) Repeat several times.

Trust God!

Repetition cements learning, so be sure to say today’s Bible Point A LOT. Have fun with it! Kids will love listening for it and responding with “Trust God!”

Let’s get moving and sing a song!

“Let’s Get a Little Crazy” music video

Rae Bible Memory Buddy video (Week 3) Our friend Rae the giant manta ray reminds us that we can trust God. (Trust God!)

Rae

● Show the Bible Memory Buddy poster. ● Point to Rae’s mouth and tell kids that Rae likes to eat tiny plants called zooplankton. ● Have kids pretend they’re eating little plants like giant manta rays. Yum!

For the word of th e can trust eve e Lord holds true, and rything he do es.” alm 33:4)

2020 Group

Publishing,

Inc., Loveland,

CO • group.com

• Printed in

the United States

of America

• 12100003161

Show the Bible. The Bible is God’s true story of love! Our Bible Memory Verse comes from the Bible. Let’s say it together. I’ll say a line, and then you repeat after me. “For the word of the Lord (cup hands around mouth) holds true, (give thumbs-up) and we can trust (pretend to grab on to something with both hands) everything he does.” (spread hands in front of you) (Psalm 33:4) We can trust God! (Trust God!) Let’s sing about that!

“We Can Trust Him” (Psalm 33:4) music video

Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 2 | Week 3

Bible Discovery We can trust God! (Trust God!) Hold up the Bible. Today our Bible story tells about God’s special plan for someone named Jacob. God had plans for Jacob, even before he and his twin brother, Esau, were born! But Jacob couldn’t wait and trust God for the plans to come true.

Supplies • Bible • “Jacob Steals Esau’s Blessing” Bible Story poster

● Get comfy and sit in knee-to-knee circles with Crews.

Tell about plans you couldn’t wait for. Invite Crew Guides to share first. ● Crew Guides give thumbs-up when everyone has shared. When God has plans for us, we can be sure they’re good! We can trust God! (Trust God!) God told Jacob’s mom, Rebekah, his plan. Let’s listen to God’s plan for Jacob. Read aloud Genesis 25:23. God planned for Jacob to be a leader over his brother. Wow! ● March with hands on hips to act like leaders.

When have you been a leader? ● Invite a few responses from the whole group. Jacob leading Esau was surprising! That’s because, back then, the oldest sons were usually in charge of the family. Esau was older, so their dad, Isaac, planned to put Esau in charge, not Jacob. Isaac told Esau to hunt for food and make Isaac a special meal. So Esau went out to the open country to look for food. Let’s pretend to go out to the country.

● Step over tall grass. ● Climb up a big rock to get a better view. ● Look into the distance by placing hand against forehead. While Esau was out, Jacob and Esau’s mom decided to be sneaky. Rebekah knew God planned for Jacob to be the leader over Esau, but she didn’t know we can trust God (Trust God!) to make his plans come true. Read aloud Genesis 27:6-8. Here’s what Jacob and Rebekah did. ● Hunt food around the room; pretend to gather. ● Prepare food; pretend to stir food in a bowl.

Read the verse from the Bible. You’re showing kids that God’s Word is special. Don’t worry— we’ve kept the verses short for young attention spans.

● Isaac was old and couldn’t see very well. So they knew they could trick him if Jacob’s clothes smelled like Esau. ● Make motions to “put on” Esau’s clothes.

When Jacob brought the food to Isaac, Isaac thought Jacob’s voice didn’t sound like Esau’s voice. Let’s listen to our friends’ voices in our Crews. ● Have Crews sit in knee-to-knee circles. ● In each Crew, choose one child to be the “Guesser,” who will shut his or her eyes. ● Choose another child in the Crew to say, “Trust God!” ● The Guesser listens and guesses who said it. ● Repeat a few times to guess all the Crew members’ voices. Since Isaac wasn’t sure about the voice, he asked for a hug. Esau was very hairy, but Jacob wasn’t. Jacob’s mom had thought of that, and she’d put animal skin on Jacob’s hands and neck. When Isaac felt Jacob, he felt the hair and believed Jacob was Esau. Finally, Isaac believed Jacob and gave him a blessing—he made Jacob leader over Esau and the whole family. Show the Bible Story poster. Jacob and his mom were tricky. They thought they needed to make God’s plan come true. Let’s find out what happened when Esau came back. Read aloud Genesis 27:32-34. Isaac had given the blessing to Jacob and he couldn’t take it back. But even though his brother had tricked him, Esau could still trust God to take care of him. We can trust God, too. (Trust God!) ● Have Crews circle up and sit knee to knee.

What’s something you want to trust God for? ● Invite Crew Guides to share first. Jacob and his mom didn’t trust that God would make his plans for Jacob come true. And when they did those sneaky things, it hurt a lot of people. Instead, they could’ve waited for God and trusted his plan. We can trust God. (Trust God!)

Now’s a great time for Apply-It Options. Choose one or more that fit your time frame to support today’s Bible discoveries before the closing Goodbye Circle.

Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 2 | Week 3

Apply-It Options

Choose one—or all—of these activities to support kids’ learning after Bible Discovery.

Game

Supplies: classroom object(s) Play Hot or Cold by having the class hide a special object as one child stands away, not listening or looking. Kids guide the classmate to the object by saying “hot” or “cold” depending on how close the classmate is getting to the hidden object. Play as time allows. If you have a large class, play in Connect Crews. Like we guided our classmates to the hidden object, God guides us to his special plan for us. We can trust God. (Trust God!)

Food-n-Friendship

Supplies: snack, napkins, hand cleanser, Music CD, media player ● Give a napkin to a friend and say, “We can trust God.” (Trust God!)

“God, You Are So Good” (Music CD track 3) ● Eat snack together.

When we pray, we talk with Jesus. Who has something we can talk with Jesus about?

● Pray together. Jacob didn’t trust God, and he made a mess. Let’s clean up our mess and remember that we can trust God! (Trust God!)

Coloring Creation

Supplies: “Jacob Steals Esau’s Blessing” Coloring Creation pages (1 per child), crayons, glue sticks, wet wipes, brown or tan felt pieces, child-safe scissors, Music CD, media player We can trust God. (Trust God!) God still wanted to be friends with Jacob and his mom, even after they did something wrong. ● Review the Bible story as you color the picture. ● Use glue sticks to attach felt pieces to Jacob’s arms. ● Play music as kids create.

“We Can Trust Him” (Psalm 33:4) (Music CD track 6)

Supplies • Music CD “Goodbye, My Friends” “We Can Trust Him” (Psalm 33:4) • media player • Rae Bible Memory Buddy stickers (1 per child)

Goodbye Circle

It’s almost time to say goodbye! Let’s sing our goodbye song as we join hands and make one big circle!

“Goodbye, My Friends” (Music CD track 4) God had a special plan for Jacob, and God had a special plan to send his Son, Jesus, to earth. Why? Because he loves us! Now, because of Jesus, we can trust God (Trust God!) to help us and forgive us when we mess up—even when we mess up like Jacob did. That makes me feel happy and loved. Have kids give friends beside them a hand hug. God’s plan for us is good. We can trust God. (Trust God!)

e Lord ord of th or the w d we can trust n ds true, a g he does.” in :4) th ry eve (Psalm 33

● Show the Bible Memory Buddy poster, and remind kids that Rae helps us remember we can trust God. (Trust God!) ● Invite Crew Guides to give each child a Rae sticker. Have them hug the child and say, “[Child’s name], you can trust God.” Kids can wear their stickers or take them home.

“We Can Trust Him” (Psalm 33:4) (Music CD track 6) Co p

● Do Bible Memory Verse motions and move to the music! yri g

Group Publishing, Inc.

Saying each child’s name in a loving way helps kids simply experience God’s love through you!

Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 2 | Week 3

Unit 2 | Week 4

Jacob and Esau Make Peace

God Has a Plan Genesis 32:3-12, 22-32; 33:1-11

Bible Point

“For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does.”

We can trust God.

Purpose

(Psalm 33:4)

We’ve all had a falling out with someone at some time in our lives. These situations can make us feel confused, frustrated, heartbroken, or even guilty. Broken relationships make us feel crummy, if we’re being honest with ourselves. Yet even then, we can trust God. Jacob really hurt Esau. But God was at work, bringing reconciliation. You may never reconcile with your adversary, but you can let God work in your own heart. You can trust God. Young children’s experiences aren’t as intense as Jacob and Esau’s, but in the moment, their arguments with siblings, cousins, or friends feel like a big deal. Jacob and Esau’s reconciliation can encourage kids to submit to God in their struggles with others and trust that God’s always at work.

Co p

yr ig

Grou p Publishing, Inc.

Prayer

God, relationships can be hard. Help me be on the lookout for a child who needs my love and friendship today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prep

Opening Options

Sing & Play

Option Cards*

Music CD*

Felt Mats: felt pieces in various colors and sizes, child-safe scissors (optional)

Buddy Video DVD*

Chalk Sides: chalk, darkcolored bulletin board paper

Music Video DVD* Rae Bible Memory Buddy poster* media player Bible (bookmark Psalm 33:4)

Bible Discovery & Goodbye Circle “Jacob and Esau Make Peace” Bible Story poster* Music CD*

Apply-It Options Game: no supplies Food-n-Friendship: snack, napkins, hand cleanser, Music CD*, media player

Coloring Creation: “Jacob and Esau Make Peace” Coloring Creation pages* (1 per child), media player crayons, animal stickers, Bible (bookmark Genesis Music CD*, media player 32:6-8, 11-12; 33:4, 8-11) Rae Bible Memory Buddy stickers* (1 per child)

* in your Simply Loved Kit 71

Opening Options

Felt Mats

Chalk Sides

Supplies • felt pieces in various colors and sizes, child-safe scissors (optional)

Supplies • chalk, dark-colored bulletin board paper

Cut felt into squares. In pairs, kids thumb-wrestle over the felt squares, which represent wrestling mats. We can trust God. Today we’ll hear a story about a man who wrestled with God! Whoa! And after that, God helped the man make up with someone the man had hurt. ell about a time you made up T with someone.

72 72

Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 2 | Week 4

Draw a line across the center of the paper. Use chalk to draw animals and people on each side of the dividing line to represent Jacob and Esau’s separate families. hat animals do you wish your W family owned? Today we’ll hear about two big families. One brother wanted to give the other brother animals as an “I’m sorry” gift. We can trust God to show us how to say “I’m sorry.”

Opening Now’s a great time for Opening Options. Choose one—or both—to introduce today’s Bible discoveries.

“The Cleanup Song” (Music CD track 1)

Help kids transition by cleaning up before sitting with their Connect Crews. A Connect Crew is a smaller group of kids with one Crew Guide.

Sing & Play

Supplies • Bible • Music CD

Welcome

Hello, friends! I’m so glad you’re here today. Let’s sing our welcome song.

“Hello, My Friends” (Music CD track 2) Let’s say hello to our Crew Guides. They’re our go-to friends who are here to have fun and learn along with us. ● Kids give their Crew Guides a wave and smile.

Bible Point Today we’ll find out that we can trust God. Every time you hear the words “We can trust God!” point up and say, “Trust God!” Let’s try that together. Every day, in every way, (nod yes) We can trust God! (“Trust God” and point up) God will make things right, (thumbs-up) We can trust God! (“Trust God” and point up) Every day, in every way, (nod yes) We can trust God! (“Trust God!” and point up)

“Hello, My Friends”

• Buddy Video DVD Rae Bible Memory Buddy video (Week 4)

• Music Video DVD

“We Can Trust Him” (Psalm 33:4) music video

“To God Be the Glory” music video

• media player • Rae Bible Memory Buddy poster

Repeat several times.

Trust God!

Repetition cements learning, so be sure to say today’s Bible Point A LOT. Have fun with it! Kids will love listening for it and responding with “Trust God!”

God is the best! Let’s sing about trusting God.

“We Can Trust Him” (Psalm 33:4) music video

Rae Bible Memory Buddy video (Week 4) Rae reminds us that we can trust God. (Trust God!)

Rae

● Show the Bible Memory Buddy poster. ● Explain that manta rays aren’t dangerous, and they don’t have stingers. ● Have everyone spread their fingers wide and pretend their hands are giant manta rays.

For the word of the Lord ho lds true, and we can trust everything he does.” salm 33:4)

● Make hands “swim” through the air, and then high-five friends! ● Have kids open both hands like a Bible.

2020 Group

Publishing,

Inc., Loveland,

CO • group.com

• Printed in

the United States

of America

• 12100003161

Show the Bible. The Bible is God’s true story of love! Our Bible Memory Verse comes from the Bible. Let’s say it together. I’ll say a line, and then you repeat after me. “For the word of the Lord (cup hands around mouth) holds true, (give thumbs-up) and we can trust (pretend to grab on to something with both hands) everything he does.” (spread hands in front of you) (Psalm 33:4) Let’s sing another song and praise God for doing great things.

“To God Be the Glory” music video

Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 2 | Week 4

Bible Discovery We can trust God! (Trust God!) Hold up the Bible. Today our Bible story tells how God helped brothers Jacob and Esau become friends again when they weren’t getting along.

Supplies • Bible • “Jacob and Esau Make Peace” Bible Story poster

Why do you think God wants brothers and sisters to be friends? ● Invite a few responses from the whole group. The Bible says Jacob had done something to hurt Esau. The two brothers didn’t see each other for many years because of what had happened. It was such a long time that they’d grown up and now had families of their own. Before they met again, Jacob sent a kind message to Esau. He said, “Let’s be friends again.” ● Have Crews circle up and sit in knee-to-knee circles. Join one of the circles. ● Have each Crew Guide send the message “Let’s be friends again” around each circle by whispering to the child next to you and having him or her pass the message, continuing until the message gets back to you.

● Let kids take turns sending a special message in this way. Even after Jacob sent the message, he was still a little worried. He thought Esau wouldn’t want to be friends. Let’s read what happened. Read aloud Genesis 32:6-8. So when Jacob heard Esau was coming to meet him, along with a whole bunch of people, he was scared. ● Show worried or scared faces.

When have you been worried about someone who was upset with you? Invite Crew Guides to share first.

Jacob thought Esau would still be mad, so he divided his family and things into two groups. The two groups traveled toward Esau separately. ● Divide group into two smaller groups, and invite them to march in two separate lines across the room and back. ● Jacob prayed for God’s help. Listen to his prayer.

Read the verse from the Bible. You’re showing kids that God’s Word is special. Don’t worry— we’ve kept the verses short for young attention spans.

Read aloud Genesis 32:11-12. That night Jacob was alone, and he wrestled with God. Whoa! Can you imagine wrestling with God?

After the wrestling match, God blessed Jacob. He reminded Jacob that he still loved him and that he had special plans for him and his family. And God helped Jacob know that he could be friends with Esau again. We can trust God (Trust God!) to help us. God wants us to talk to him about our troubles and trust him to take care of us.

What’s a trouble you can talk to God about? Invite Crew Guides to share first.

● Crew Guides lead kids in a prayer about the things they shared. ● Crew Guides give thumbs-up after they’ve finished praying. The next morning, Jacob saw Esau coming toward him. Let’s find out what Esau did. Read aloud Genesis 33:4.

Repeat, repeat! Feel free to do activities more than once. You’ll give kids time to catch on and jump in.

Esau came running to Jacob and gave him a hug and a kiss! Jacob didn’t need to be afraid of Esau; God helped them be friends again! We can trust God (Trust God!) to help us make up with friends, too. Show the Bible Story poster. ● Give joyful hugs to as many friends as possible in 30 seconds. ● Shake hands to show how the families met one another. Read aloud Genesis 33:8-11. ● Jacob gave Esau a gift of animals. Let’s baa like sheep and moo like cows. ● Make animal noises. We can trust God. (Trust God!) He took care of Jacob when he was scared, and he helped Jacob and Esau make up after a big fight. God is with us all the time, too, helping us when we’re scared and showing us how to be good friends to others!

Now’s a great time for Apply-It Options. Choose one or more that fit your time frame to support today’s Bible discoveries before the closing Goodbye Circle.

Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 2 | Week 4

Apply-It Options

Choose one—or all—of these activities to support kids’ learning after Bible Discovery.

Game

Have a “meeting again” relay by forming two equal groups and having each group spread out along opposite walls. The child to the far left on each wall starts by running to the opposite group and tagging the child opposite him by giving the child a hug or high-five. The tagged child runs to the other team and tags the next child in line in the same way. Play continues until everyone has run to the opposite wall. Repeat as time allows. Jacob and Esau’s families came together so they could all be friends. Esau even ran to Jacob! God helped Jacob and Esau’s families become friends, even after an argument. We can trust God (Trust God!) to help our friendships.

Tell about a new friend

Food-n-Friendship

Supplies: snack, napkins, hand cleanser, Music CD, media player ● Give a napkin to a friend and say, “We can trust God.” (Trust God!)

“God, You Are So Good” (Music CD track 3) ● Eat snack together.

When we pray, we talk with Jesus. Who has something we can talk with Jesus about?

● Pray together. We can trust God. (Trust God!) Let’s work together with our friends to clean up our snack.

Coloring Creation

Supplies: “Jacob and Esau Make Peace” Coloring Creation pages (1 per child), crayons, animal stickers, Music CD, media player We can trust God. (Trust God!) God took care of Jacob and Esau, even when they weren’t getting along. And then God helped them become friends again! ● Identify parts of the Bible story on the picture. ● Color the picture. ● Add animal stickers to the picture to show how Jacob gave Esau a gift. ● Play music as kids create.

“We Can Trust Him” (Psalm 33:4) (Music CD track 6)

you’ve made.

Supplies • Music CD “Goodbye, My Friends” “We Can Trust Him” (Psalm 33:4) • media player • Rae Bible Memory Buddy stickers (1 per child)

Goodbye Circle

It’s almost time to say goodbye! Let’s sing our goodbye song as we join hands and make one big circle!

“Goodbye, My Friends” (Music CD track 4) Like God wanted Jacob to have a good friendship with Esau, God wants us to have good friendships with others. And he wants us to have a great friendship with him! That’s why he sent his special Son, Jesus. Because of Jesus, we can trust God (Trust God!) to be friends with us no matter what.

What’s the best part about having friends?

e Lord ord of th or the w d we can trust n ds true, a g he does.” in :4) th every (Psalm 33

● Invite Crew Guides to share first. Our friendship with God shows us how to be friends with others. God shows us we can talk to him about hard things, like Jacob did. And he shows us he’ll always be there for us. We can trust God (Trust God!) no matter what. ● Show the Bible Buddy poster, and remind kids that Rae helps us remember we can trust God. (Trust God!)

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● Invite Crew Guides to give each child a Rae sticker by holding the sticker inside a palm while shaking hands with the child and transferring the sticker to him or her. As they give a sticker to each child, have Crew Guides say, “[Child’s name], you can trust God.” Kids may wear their stickers or take them home.

“We Can Trust Him” (Psalm 33:4) (Music CD track 6) ● Do Bible Memory Verse motions and move to the music!

Saying each child’s name in a loving way helps kids simply experience God’s love through you!

Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 2 | Week 4

Unit 3 | Week 1

Shepherds Hear About Jesus’ Birth

Good News for Outsiders Luke 2:8-20

Bible Point

Jesus loves everyone.

Purpose

Shepherds spend a lot of time with sheep. It was true in Bible times, and it’s true in places around the world today. They don’t usually spend a lot of time around angels. That’s where the surprise comes in! Even though their nomadic way of life left them on the outside of more settled society, shepherds were the first to hear of Jesus’ birth. Even if it’s not Christmas, the story of shepherds hearing about Jesus is a wonderful example of Jesus’ love for everyone—any time of the year! There’s good news for us, too. Jesus loves everyone. He plays no favorites. And your leadership and care for kids makes a difference. Like the shepherds, you play a key part in God’s story. Have fun sharing the shepherds’ excitement with the young children you lead. Jesus’ love is for them, too! And you’re the one who gets to tell them! You don’t need a heavenly choir—just a lot of love!

Prayer

God, thank you for sending Jesus to show us your love. Your love isn’t exclusive or dependent on who I am or what I do. Please help me as I care for your kids today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prep

Opening Options

Sing & Play

Option Cards*

Music CD*

Cotton Ball Sheep: cotton balls, chenille wires, cups

Buddy Video DVD* Music Video DVD* Decker Bible Memory Buddy poster*

Festive Watercolors: paper, watercolor paints, media player paintbrushes, water Bible (bookmark John 13:34)

Bible Discovery & Goodbye Circle “Shepherds Hear About Jesus’ Birth” Bible Story poster* Music CD* Decker Bible Memory Buddy stickers* (1 per child) media player cotton balls (1 per child) Bible (bookmark Luke 2:8, 9, 10-12, 16-20)

Apply-It Options Game: no supplies Food-n-Friendship: snack, napkins, hand cleanser, Music CD*, media player Coloring Creation: “Shepherds Hear About Jesus’ Birth” Coloring Creation pages* (1 per child), glue sticks, wet wipes, crayons, chenille wires pre-cut in half (1 per child), Music CD, media player

* in your Simply Loved Kit 79

Opening Options

Cotton Ball Sheep

Festive Watercolors

Supplies • cotton balls, chenille wires, cups

Supplies • paper, watercolor paints, paintbrushes, water

Pretend the cotton balls are sheep. Bend chenille wires into “staff” shapes and guide the “sheep” across the table to a cup to get food or water, then guide them back to the other side to sleep.

Paint things that remind you of Christmas!

hepherds take care of sheep. Who takes S care of you? How does that person take care of you?

What do you like about Christmas? We celebrate Jesus’ birth at Christmastime. And we’ll celebrate Jesus’ birth here today, too! Jesus loves everyone all the time—not just at Christmas.

Jesus loves everyone. Shepherds were the first to hear about Jesus’ birth.

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Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 3 | Week 1

Opening Now’s a great time for Opening Options. Choose one—or both—to introduce today’s Bible discoveries.

“The Cleanup Song” (Music CD track 1)

Help kids transition by cleaning up before sitting with their Connect Crews. A Connect Crew is a smaller group of kids with one Crew Guide.

Sing & Play

Supplies • Bible • Music CD

Welcome

Hello, friends! I’m so glad you’re here today. Let’s sing our welcome song.

“Hello, My Friends” (Music CD track 2) Let’s say hello to our Crew Guides. They’re our go-to friends who are here to help. ● Kids give their Crew Guides fist bumps that turn into twinkle stars (a fist bump, then a finger-wiggle wave)!

Bible Point Guess what, friends? Jesus loves everyone. That’s our Bible Point today. Every time you hear the words ”Jesus loves everyone!” cross your hands over your heart like this (demonstrate) and say, “Thank you, Jesus!” Let’s try that together.

“Hello, My Friends”

• Buddy Video DVD Decker Bible Memory Buddy video (Week 1)

• Music Video DVD

“To God Be the Glory” music video

“One Thing Remains (Your Love Never Fails)” music video

• media player • Decker Bible Memory Buddy poster

Repeat the Bible Point several times, inviting kids to echo. Jesus loves me. (point to yourself) Jesus loves you. (point to a friend) Jesus loves everyone. (cross hands over heart and say, “Thank you, Jesus!”) When we feel alone, (hold out right hand) And when we’re on our own, (hold out left hand) Jesus loves everyone. (cross hands over heart and say, “Thank you, Jesus!”) Repeat several times.

Thank you, Jesus!

Repetition cements learning, so be sure to say today’s Bible Point A LOT. Have fun with it! Kids will love listening for it and responding with “Thank you, Jesus!”

Let’s praise God and thank him for sending Jesus to be our friend.

“To God Be the Glory” music video

Bible Memory Buddy & Verse It’s time to talk to our friend Buzzly Bee. Buzzly will show us a Bible Memory Buddy. Let’s call for Buzzly. Do what I do! ● Flap hands quickly like a bee. ● Make buzzing sounds.

Decker Bible Memory Buddy video (Week 1) Decker helps us see that Jesus loves everyone. (Thank you, Jesus!) ● Show the Bible Memory Buddy poster. ● Explain that Decker is a crab. ● Have kids pretend to be crabs and make their hands scurry in front of them. Show the Bible. The Bible is God’s true story of love! Our Bible Memory Verse comes from the Bible. Let’s say it together. I’ll say a line, and then you repeat after me. “So now I am giving you a new commandment: (hold hands out like a tray) Love each other. (give a friend’s shoulder a squeeze) Just as I (point up) have loved you, (point forward) you should love each other.” (give another friend’s shoulder a squeeze) (John 13:34) God loves us so much, he gave us Jesus. Let’s sing about God’s love for us!

“One Thing Remains (Your Love Never Fails)” music video

Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 3 | Week 1

Bible Discovery Hold up the Bible. Surprise! Today our Bible story tells about the day Jesus was born. We celebrate this story at Christmas, and we’ll celebrate Jesus’ birth here today! ● Choose a fun Christmas song like “Jingle Bells” and sing a few lines together.

Supplies • Bible • “Shepherds Hear About Jesus’ Birth” Bible Story poster • cotton balls (1 per child)

● Have everyone pretend to decorate a Christmas tree. Add lights, ornaments, and an angel on top. ● We place an angel on Christmas trees to remember the angels who told people the good news that Jesus was born. Let’s start reading the story in the Bible. Read aloud Luke 2:8. A shepherd’s job is to take care of sheep. Let’s all pretend to be shepherds. But first, you need sheep! ● Distribute cotton balls to Crew Guides. ● Crew Guides give each child a cotton ball “sheep.” ● Have kids baa like sheep as they receive cotton balls.

● Tell kids it’s their job to take care of the cotton ball sheep while you tell the Bible story. ● Encourage everyone to gently hold the cotton ball in a closed fist. Thanks for taking good care of your sheep, shepherds. Shepherds had to stay in the fields with their sheep. Maybe they felt lonely sometimes. Everyone else was at home with their families while the shepherds were alone with their sheep. ● Get comfy and sit in a knee-to-knee circle with Connect Crews.

When have you felt alone? Briefly share an answer from your own life. ● Crew Guides give thumbs-up when everyone has shared. We all feel alone sometimes and like we’re on our own. Shepherds, pretend we’re outside in an open field. Let’s all take our sheep and spread out so we aren’t close to anyone else. ● Spread out around the room so everyone’s at least an arm’s length away from friends. ● Have everyone check on their sheep and hold them in their other hand for a bit. ● Let’s read about who came to visit the shepherds. Read aloud Luke 2:9.

Read the verse from the Bible. You’re showing kids that God’s Word is special. Don’t worry— we’ve kept the verses short for young attention spans.

The shepherds saw a bright light and angels sent from God! ● Show the Bible Story poster. ● Have everyone make surprised faces and hold their sheep close to their hearts to protect them. ● But the angels had good news. Listen! Read aloud Luke 2:10-12. Jesus was born! And the shepherds—people who were usually alone and left out—were the first to hear about it. Jesus loves everyone. (Thank you, Jesus!) Even shepherds! The shepherds decided to go into the town and find baby Jesus. Let’s go, too! ● Have everyone put their sheep on the floor to sleep. ● Gather everyone together, and hurry to another place in your room. ● Pretend to see the baby, and ask if anyone wants to hold him. ● Pass a pretend baby to different kids to “hold.” ● Babies are so cute. And this baby was extra special. He’s our friend Jesus. Let’s find out what the shepherds did when they met him. Read aloud Luke 2:16-20. The shepherds were happy to be invited to see baby Jesus. God picked them to see Jesus first even though some people thought shepherds weren’t very important. But they were! Jesus loves everyone! (Thank you, Jesus!) The shepherds told people the good news—Jesus was here! ● Invite everyone to go back to their cotton ball sheep. Welcome a few responses. Be sure to summarize what kids say so everyone can hear.

● Have everyone tell the sheep, “Jesus is born!” ● Have everyone baa with excitement. ● Have everyone rush around the room shouting, “Jesus is born!”

What good news has someone told you? Invite a few responses from the whole group.

Good news makes me happy! After hearing about Jesus’ birth, maybe the shepherds didn’t feel so lonely anymore. We don’t have to feel lonely either, because our friend Jesus is always with us. And he always loves us. Jesus loves everyone! (Thank you, Jesus!) Let’s put our sheep in their pen for the night. ● Have everyone tell the sheep goodnight. ● Crew Guides collect cotton balls and put them all in one place together.

Now’s a great time for Apply-It Options. Choose one or more that fit your time frame to support today’s Bible discoveries before the closing Goodbye Circle.

Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 3 | Week 1

Apply-It Options

Choose one—or all—of these activities to support kids’ learning after Bible Discovery.

Game

Have kids pretend to be sheep and shepherds. ● Choose one child for every three kids to be a “Shepherd.” All other kids are “Sheep.” ● Have Sheep baa as they move around the room. ● Have Shepherds care for the Sheep and lead them to one wall—the sheep pen. ● Randomly shout, “Sheep are out!” and let Sheep leave the pen. ● Choose new Shepherds, and play again. Whew! Shepherds had a tough job. They had to keep track of all the sheep. Later in the Bible, Jesus called himself the good shepherd. Jesus loves us and takes care of us. Jesus loves everyone. (Thank you, Jesus!) Even when we don’t follow him, Jesus will always find us and bring us close to him again.

Food-n-Friendship

Supplies: snack, napkins, hand cleanser, Music CD, media player ● Give a napkin to a friend and say, “Jesus loves everyone!” (Thank you, Jesus!)

“God, You Are So Good” (Music CD track 3) ● Eat snack together.

When we pray, we talk with Jesus. Who has something we can talk with Jesus about?

● Pray together. Jesus loves everyone! (Thank you, Jesus!) Shepherds were the first people to hear about baby Jesus. They hurried to see him. Let’s hurry and clean up our snack!

Coloring Creation

Supplies: “Shepherds Hear About Jesus’ Birth” Coloring Creation pages (1 per child), crayons, glue sticks, wet wipes, chenille wires pre-cut in half (1 per child), Music CD, media player Jesus loves everyone, (Thank you, God!) including shepherds! Let’s color the shepherds and give them each a staff. ● Review the Bible story as you identify the shepherds on the page. ● Color the picture. ● Help kids shape the chenille wire into a staff and glue it onto a shepherd’s staff. ● Play music as kids create.

“As I Have Loved You” (John 13:34) (Music CD track 7)

Supplies • Music CD “Goodbye, My Friends” “As I Have Loved You” (John 13:34) • media player • Decker Bible Memory Buddy stickers (1 per child)

Goodbye Circle

It’s almost time to say goodbye! Let’s sing our goodbye song as we join hands and make one big circle!

“Goodbye, My Friends” (Music CD track 4) Next time you see an angel on top of a Christmas tree, remember the angels who visited the shepherds. The shepherds got to see Jesus and be with him. Jesus loves everyone. (Thank you, Jesus!) When we’re friends with Jesus, we share his love with other people. Let’s practice sharing Jesus’ love right now. Do what I do! ● Turn to a person near you, give a high-five, and say, “Jesus loves you!” ● Turn to another person near you, give a pat on the back, and say, “Jesus loves you, too!” ● Show the Bible Memory Buddy poster, and remind kids that Decker helps us remember Jesus loves everyone. (Thank you, Jesus!) ● Invite Crew Guides to share Jesus’ love and give each child a Decker sticker to wear or take home. As they do, Crew Guides say, “Jesus loves everyone, and that means you, [child’s name].”

“As I Have Loved You” (John 13:34) (Music CD track 7) ● Do Bible Memory Verse motions and move to the music!

Saying each child’s name in a loving way helps kids simply experience God’s love through you!

Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 3 | Week 1

Unit 3 | Week 2

Jesus Befriends Zacchaeus

Good News for Outsiders Luke 19:1-10

Bible Point

Jesus loves everyone.

Purpose

Who would you consider to be a modern-day tax collector, someone with a bad reputation for ripping people off? Here’s the truth: Whoever you’re thinking of, Jesus loves that person in the same way he loves you. Zacchaeus experienced Jesus’ 100 percent gracious love, and it changed his life. That’s because Jesus is in the business of heart transformation, and it can happen to anyone. He does it in your life, and he does it in kids’ lives, too. Young children are told not to be mean. They’re learning how to share their world with others, and they’re sometimes upset by friends who haven’t figured it out yet. As their leader, look for opportunities to share Jesus’ love with your young friends when they need it the most, and encourage them to share that same love with others.

Prayer

God, please show me how to share your grace and unfailing love to the kids I’ll be leading. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prep

Opening Options

Sing & Play

Option Cards*

Music CD*

Cotton Ball Climbers: cotton balls, chenille wires

Buddy Video DVD* Music Video DVD* Decker Bible Memory Buddy poster*

Yummy Watercolors: paper, watercolor paints, media player paintbrushes, water Bible (bookmark John 13:34)

Bible Discovery & Goodbye Circle “Jesus Befriends Zacchaeus” Bible Story poster* Music CD* Decker Bible Memory Buddy stickers* (1 per child) media player Bible (bookmark Luke 19:1, 3-4, 6-7)

Apply-It Options Game: Music CD, media player Food-n-Friendship: snack, napkins, hand cleanser, Music CD*, media player Coloring Creation: “Jesus Befriends Zacchaeus” Coloring Creation pages* (1 per child), crayons, markers, glue sticks, wet wipes, cotton balls (several per child), Music CD*, media player

* in your Simply Loved Kit 87

Opening Options

Cotton Ball Climbers

Yummy Watercolors

Supplies • cotton balls, chenille wires

Supplies • paper, watercolor paints, paintbrushes, water

Use chenille wires to make the outline of a tree. Then have a cotton ball “person” pretend to climb the tree.

Paint food you like to eat at your home.

When have you seen someone climb a tree?

hen has someone come to your house to W eat with you? What did you eat together?

Why would someone climb a tree? Today we’ll hear a story about a man who climbed a tree to see Jesus. The man found out Jesus loves everyone!

In our Bible story, we’ll hear how Jesus was a guest at Zacchaeus’ house. Maybe they even ate dinner together! Some people didn’t like Zacchaeus, but Jesus still went to his house because Jesus loves everyone.

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Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 3 | Week 2

Opening Now’s a great time for Opening Options. Choose one—or both—to introduce today’s Bible discoveries.

“The Cleanup Song” (Music CD track 1)

Help kids transition by cleaning up before sitting with their Connect Crews. A Connect Crew is a smaller group of kids with one Crew Guide.

Sing & Play Welcome Hello, friends! I’m so glad you’re here today. Let’s sing our welcome song.

“Hello, My Friends” (Music CD track 2) Let’s say hello to our Crew Guides. They’re our go-to friends who are here to help. ● Kids give their Crew Guides a really high-five and a really low-five.

Bible Point Whether you’re really tall or really small, Jesus loves everyone. That’s our Bible Point today. Every time you hear the words “Jesus loves everyone!” cross your hands over your heart like this (demonstrate) and say, “Thank you, Jesus!” Let’s try that together.

Supplies • Bible • Music CD

“Hello, My Friends”

• Buddy Video DVD

Decker Bible Memory Buddy video (Week 2)

• Music Video DVD

“We Can Trust Him” (Psalm 33:4) music video

“To God Be the Glory” music video

• media player • Decker Bible Memory Buddy poster

Repeat the Bible Point several times, inviting kids to echo. Jesus loves me. (point to yourself) Jesus loves you. (point to a friend) Jesus loves everyone. (cross hands over heart and say, “Thank you, Jesus!”) People who are tall, (hands high) And people who are small, (hands low) Jesus loves everyone. (cross hands over heart and say, “Thank you, Jesus!”) Repeat several times. Thank you, Jesus!

Repetition cements learning, so be sure to say today’s Bible Point A LOT. Have fun with it! Kids will love listening for it and responding with “Thank you, Jesus!”

Let’s sing a song! Jesus loves and takes care of everyone. We can trust him!

“We Can Trust Him” (Psalm 33:4) music video

Decker Bible Memory Buddy video (Week 2) Decker tells us that Jesus loves everyone. (Thank you, Jesus!) ● Show the Bible Memory Buddy poster. ● Explain that Decker is a crab and that people stay away from crabs because they don’t want to get pinched. ● Have everyone pinch their fingers together like crab and say “Ouch!” ● Jesus doesn’t stay away from pinchy people. Jesus loves everyone! (Thank you, Jesus!) Show the Bible. The Bible is God’s true story of love! Our Bible Memory Verse comes from the Bible. Let’s say it together. I’ll say a line, and then you repeat after me. “So now I am giving you a new commandment: (hold hands out like a tray) Love each other. (give a friend’s shoulder a squeeze) Just as I (point up) have loved you, (point forward) you should love each other.” (give another friend’s shoulder a squeeze) (John 13:34) Let’s praise God for sending Jesus to love us and be our friend.

“To God Be the Glory” music video

Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 3 | Week 2

Bible Discovery Hold up the Bible. Today we’ll hear a story from the Bible about a man who wanted to see Jesus. His name was Zacchaeus. People thought Zacchaeus was a big meanie!

Supplies • Bible • “Jesus Befriends Zacchaeus” Bible Story poster

● Have everyone make mean faces. ● But Jesus loves everyone. (Thank you, Jesus!) So he was kind to Zacchaeus. ● Have everyone make kind faces. ● Jesus’ love changed Zacchaeus’ life. Let’s find out what happened. We’ll tell the story together. Tell this story in a way that’s similar to “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.” Have everyone pat their lap once then clap their hands once (and so on) to make a beat as they repeat each line after you. Read aloud Luke 19:1.

Let’s make our way through the town. Do what I do! ● Pat your legs, then clap your hands as you say this rhyme. We’re walking through Jericho. (We’re walking through Jericho.) And what do we see? (And what do we see?) We see Jesus (We see Jesus) Coming toward me. (Coming toward me.) ● Place your hand above your eyes as if seeing someone. ● Put your hands on your lap.

Read the verse from the Bible. You’re showing kids that God’s Word is special. Don’t worry— we’ve kept the verses short for young attention spans.

A man named Zacchaeus heard that Jesus was in his town. He wanted to see him. Let’s find out more about Zacchaeus. Do what I do! ● Pat your legs, then clap your hands as you say this rhyme. Zacchaeus wasn’t nice. (Zacchaeus wasn’t nice.) He was really mean. (He was really mean.) “Give me more money.” (“Give me more money.”) “And I’ll keep some for me!” (“And I’ll keep some for me!”) ● Look sneaky, then pretend to count money and put it in your pocket. ● Put your hands on your lap.

Zacchaeus made a lot of wrong choices. He stole money from people. It’s no wonder people didn’t like him! But Jesus loves everyone. (Thank you, Jesus!) He likes everyone, too. Let’s find out what happened next. Do what I do! Read aloud Luke 19:3-4. ● Pat your legs, then clap your hands as you say this rhyme. Jesus was coming. (Jesus was coming.) Zacchaeus had to see! (Zacchaeus had to see!) He ran up ahead (He ran up ahead) And climbed up in a tree. (And climbed up in a tree.) ● Stand, run in place, then pretend to climb up a tree and look out. ● Remain standing, and put your hands at your sides. Show the Bible Story poster. Jesus was on his way. Zacchaeus couldn’t see because of the crowd, so he climbed a tree. Let’s see what Jesus did when he saw Zacchaeus. Do what I do! ● Pat your legs, then clap your hands as you say this rhyme. Jesus walked by (Jesus walked by) And looked up in that tree. (And looked up in that tree.) “Zacchaeus, come down!” (“Zacchaeus, come down!”) “Spend some time with me!” (“Spend some time with me!”) ● Pretend to be Zacchaeus and climb down out of the tree. Then sit again. ● Show the Bible Story poster. ● Put your hands on your hips. Read aloud Luke 19:6-7. People were upset. Zacchaeus was a meanie! And Jesus wanted to go to a meanie’s house? Why would Jesus want to spend time with a meanie? People were surprised that Jesus was kind to Zacchaeus. But Jesus loves everyone, (Thank, you Jesus!) including mean Zacchaeus. Let’s see what happened when Jesus went to Zacchaeus’ house. ● Pat your legs, then clap your hands as you say this rhyme. They went to the house. (They went to the house.) Zacchaeus was so pleased. (Zacchaeus was so pleased.) “I’ll give to the poor! (“I’ll give to the poor!”) “And I’ll be mean no more!” (“And I’ll be mean no more!”) ● Reach into your pocket and pretend to pull out money and give it to people. ● Put your hands on your lap. Jesus’ love changed Zacchaeus. And Jesus’ love can change us, too. Jesus loves nice people and mean people. Jesus loves everyone. (Thank, you Jesus!)

Now’s a great time for Apply-It Options. Choose one or more that fit your time frame to support today’s Bible discoveries before the closing Goodbye Circle.

Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 3 | Week 2

Apply-It Options

Choose one—or all—of these activities to support kids’ learning after Bible Discovery.

Game

Supplies: Music CD, media player Play Musical Chairs. ● Place chairs in a circle. You’ll need one less chair than the number of kids and Crew Guides. Play “As I Have Loved You” (John 13:34) (Music CD track 7) as everyone marches around the chairs. ● Randomly stop the music. When the music stops, have everyone try to sit in a chair. ● Remove a chair. Whoever doesn’t end up with a chair sits out while the game continues. Play until only one chair is left.

How did you feel when you had to sit out of the game?

Zacchaeus may have felt left out, too. No one liked him. But Jesus’ love changed Zacchaeus’ life, brought him close to Jesus, and brought him closer to other people, too. We’re so glad Jesus loves everyone. (Thank you, Jesus!) Let’s play one more time. But we’ll include a chair for everyone!

Food-n-Friendship

Supplies: snack, napkins, hand cleanser, Music CD, media player ● Give a napkin to a friend and say, “Jesus loves everyone!” (Thank you, Jesus!)

“God, You Are So Good” (Music CD track 3) ● Eat snack together.

When we pray, we talk with Jesus. Who has something we can talk with Jesus about?

● Pray together. Jesus loves everyone. (Thank you, Jesus!) Let’s show Jesus’ love and help each other clean up!

Coloring Creation

Supplies: “Jesus Befriends Zacchaeus” Coloring Creation pages (1 per child), crayons, markers, glue sticks, wet wipes, cotton balls (several per child), Music CD, media player Jesus loves everyone, (Thank you, God!) including Zacchaeus, who climbed up into a tall tree to see Jesus. ● Review the Bible story as you identify Jesus and Zacchaeus on the page. ● Color the picture. ● Help kids stretch out cotton balls and glue them onto the trees to make puffy leaves. Kids can color the cotton balls with markers. ● Play music as kids create.

“As I Have Loved You” (John 13:34) (Music CD track 7)

Supplies • Music CD “Goodbye, My Friends” “As I Have Loved You” (John 13:34) • media player • Decker Bible Memory Buddy stickers (1 per child)

Goodbye Circle

It’s almost time to say goodbye! Let’s sing our goodbye song as we join hands and make one big circle!

“Goodbye, My Friends” (Music CD track 4) Jesus loves everyone. (Thank you, Jesus!) When we’re friends with Jesus, he helps us choose kindness and love instead of meanness and hurt. He helped his new friend Zacchaeus, and he’ll help us, too. Jesus loves everyone. (Thank you, Jesus!) We can love people even when they’re not very nice. Jesus will help us! Let’s practice right now. Show me what it looks like to do these things. ● Hug a friend. ● Share your toys. ● Help a friend who is crying. ● Forgive a friend who was mean to you. Repeat several times. ● Show the Bible Memory Buddy poster, and remind kids that Decker helps us remember Jesus loves everyone. (Thank you, Jesus!) ● Invite Crew Guides to share Jesus’ love and give each child a Decker sticker to wear or take home. Have Crew Guides pretend to climb a tree before giving a sticker to each child. As they give the sticker, Crew Guides say, “Jesus loves everyone, and that means you, [child’s name].”

“As I Have Loved You” (John 13:34) (Music CD track 7) ● Do Bible Memory Verse motions and move to the music!

Saying each child’s name in a loving way helps kids simply experience God’s love through you!

Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 3 | Week 2

Unit 3 | Week 3

Jesus Welcomes Children

Good News for Outsiders Luke 18:15-17

Bible Point

Jesus loves everyone.

Purpose

Think about when you were a child. Did you ever have someone discount what you said? Now think of a time you may have dismissed something a child said to you. Were the circumstances really that different? As much as kids are valued in our culture, they aren’t considered to have a lot of wisdom. But Jesus indicated that children are important in God’s family, and he was adamant about making time for them. Young children are living out the experience of the children in this Bible passage right now. And this is your chance to let them know they’re valuable and important in God’s family. Jesus loves kids. And kids can love Jesus as much as adults do, serve with pure hearts, and know Jesus personally.

Prayer

God, thank you for your reminder that you love everyone and think we’re all important. Teach me about your kingdom as I interact with kids today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prep

Opening Options

Sing & Play

Option Cards*

Music CD*

Cotton Ball Blowing: cotton balls

Buddy Video DVD* Music Video DVD*

Happy Watercolors: Decker Bible Memory paper, watercolor paints, Buddy poster* paintbrushes, water media player Bible (bookmark John 13:34)

Bible Discovery & Goodbye Circle “Jesus Welcomes Children” Bible Story poster* Music CD* Decker Bible Memory Buddy stickers* (1 per child) media player Bible (bookmark Luke 18:15-17)

Apply-It Options Game: Music CD* and media player (optional) Food-n-Friendship: snack, napkins, hand cleanser, Music CD*, media player Coloring Creation: “Jesus Welcomes Children” Coloring Creation pages* (1 per child), crayons, eye stickers, Music CD*, media player

* in your Simply Loved Kit 95

Opening Options

Cotton Ball Blowing

Happy Watercolors

Supplies • cotton balls

Supplies • paper, watercolor paints, paintbrushes, water

Blow on cotton balls. Have some people try to blow them off the table while other people blow to keep them on the table.

Paint hearts and smiling faces.

here is a place you’d like to stay for a W long time? In our Bible story, some people wanted to send children away. But Jesus loves everyone. He wanted them to stay.

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Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 3 | Week 3

ho is someone that makes you smile W a lot? Jesus loves everyone. In our Bible story, we’ll see how he loved to spend time with children. Kids like you make him smile!

Opening Now’s a great time for Opening Options. Choose one—or both—to introduce today’s Bible discoveries.

“The Cleanup Song” (Music CD track 1)

Help kids transition by cleaning up before sitting with their Connect Crews. A Connect Crew is a smaller group of kids with one Crew Guide.

Sing & Play Welcome Hello, friends! I’m so glad you’re here today. Let’s sing our welcome song.

“Hello, My Friends” (Music CD track 2) Let’s say hello to our Crew Guides. They’re our go-to friends who are here to help. ● Kids give their Crew Guides a hand hug.

Bible Point Today we’ll find out that Jesus loves everyone. Every time you hear the words “Jesus loves everyone!” cross your hands over your heart like this (demonstrate) and say, “Thank you, Jesus!” Let’s try that together.

Supplies • Bible • Music CD

“Hello, My Friends”

• Buddy Video DVD

Decker Bible Memory Buddy video (Week 3)

• Music Video DVD

“Let’s Get a Little Crazy” music video

“To God Be the Glory” music video

• media player • Decker Bible Memory Buddy poster

Jesus loves me. (point to yourself) Jesus loves you. (point to a friend) Jesus loves everyone. (cross hands over heart and say, “Thank you, Jesus!”) Jesus loves little kids. (hold hand at your knee to show “small”) Jesus loves big kids. (hold hand above your head to show “tall”) Jesus loves everyone. (cross hands over heart and say, “Thank you, Jesus!”) Repeat several times.

Thank you, Jesus!

Repetition cements learning, so be sure to say today’s Bible Point A LOT. Have fun with it! Kids will love listening for it and responding with “Thank you, Jesus!”

Let’s sing a song that invites everyone to have some fun!

“Let’s Get a Little Crazy” music video

Decker Bible Memory Buddy video (Week 3) Decker the crab reminds us that Jesus loves everyone. (Thank you, Jesus!) ● Show the Bible Memory Buddy poster. ● Explain that Decker decorates his shell. ● Have everyone point to a decoration they are wearing, like a bracelet, headband, or cool shoes. ● Your decorations are lovely! And speaking of love, Jesus loves everyone. (Thank you, Jesus!) Show the Bible. The Bible is God’s true story of love! Our Bible Memory Verse comes from the Bible. Let’s say it together. I’ll say a line, and then you repeat after me. “So now I am giving you a new commandment: (hold hands out like a tray) Love each other. (give a friend’s shoulder a squeeze) Just as I (point up) have loved you, (point forward) you should love each other.” (give another friend’s shoulder a squeeze) (John 13:34) I’m so glad God loves us and sent Jesus to be our friend. Let’s sing a song to praise God!

“To God Be the Glory” music video

Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 3 | Week 3

Bible Discovery Hold up the Bible. Today our Bible story tells how Jesus welcomed children. That’s because Jesus loves everyone! (Thank you, Jesus!)

Supplies • Bible • “Jesus Welcomes Children” Bible Story poster

● Get comfy and sit in knee-to-knee circles with Connect Crews.

Who is another child you love? Briefly share an answer from your own life, then invite kids to answer in Crews.

● Crew Guides give thumbs-up when everyone has shared. Jesus loves everyone. (Thank you, Jesus!) He loves every child we talked about. They’re all important! But a long time ago when Jesus lived on the earth, people didn’t think kids were as important as grown-ups. It was as if the grown-ups didn’t want to see them. Let’s see if we can get someone to see and notice us. ● Have a Crew Guide helper stand in front of all the kids. He or she should try to look straight ahead without smiling. ● Have kids wave, laugh, or do silly things to try to make the Crew Guide notice them and smile.

● When the Crew Guide smiles, choose someone else to stand in front and try not to smile. ● After initiating another smile, have kids each give a friend a high-five and then sit with their Crews again. We don’t have to be silly to get Jesus to notice us. He always sees us and loves us just as we are. Jesus loves everyone. (Thank you, Jesus!) And Jesus noticed the kids in our Bible story. Let’s see what happened! Read aloud Luke 18:15. Parents brought their kids to meet Jesus. Let’s talk about this in our Connect Crews.

If you could meet Jesus right now, what would you tell him about? Share an idea from your own life.

Read the verse from the Bible. You’re showing kids that God’s Word is special. Don’t worry— we’ve kept the verses short for young attention spans.

● Invite Crew Guides to share first. ● Crew Guides give thumbs-up when everyone has shared. ● Ask for a few responses from the whole group. Thanks for sharing. We’d have a good talk with Jesus! The children in our Bible story almost didn’t get to talk to Jesus, though, because Jesus’ friends didn’t think Jesus wanted to see them. So they said to the parents, “Take those kids away! Jesus is doing something important right now!” Do what I do! ● Wag fingers like you’re scolding someone.

Welcome a few responses. Be sure to summarize what kids say so everyone can hear.

● Pretend to shoo kids away with the wave of a hand. ● Make a sad face to show how the kids might have felt when they were shooed away.

Jesus loves everyone. (Thank you, Jesus!) The kids didn’t need to be sad, because Jesus told them to stay! Let’s find out what he said. Read aloud Luke 18:16. Jesus didn’t wag his finger or shoo away the kids. He welcomed them! ● Show the Bible Story poster. ● Crew Guides spread arms wide and welcome everyone into a group hug. ● Kids take turns opening arms while everyone else rushes in for a fun group hug. Read aloud Luke 18:17. Jesus explained that grown-ups can learn from kids about how to love God and be his friends. Let’s practice some things kids can teach grown-ups. Do what I do! ● Kids can teach adults to notice little things—like bugs! Pretend to be a bug. ● Kids can teach adults how to be silly and smile. Make a silly face. ● Kids can teach adults how to ask for help. Raise your hand and say, “Help me, please!” Kids, you have a special friendship with Jesus. He loves you and wants to be your friend! Jesus loves everyone! (Thank you, Jesus!)

Now’s a great time for Apply-It Options. Choose one or more that fit your time frame to support today’s Bible discoveries before the closing Goodbye Circle.

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Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 3 | Week 3

Apply-It Options

Choose one—or all—of these activities to support kids’ learning after Bible Discovery.

Game

Supplies: Music CD and media player (optional) Have everyone move in a large circle and do fun things kids would do, such as skipping, hopping, or crab walking. The leader randomly calls “Welcome,” and all the kids race to the leader for a group hug. Repeat several times. If you’d like, play tracks 5, 6, and 7 as kids move. Jesus was teaching adults, but when he saw kids who were there to see him, he said “Welcome!” He said that because Jesus loves everyone. (Thank you, Jesus!) He wanted to spend time with kids as much as adults!

Food-n-Friendship

Supplies: snack, napkins, hand cleanser, Music CD, media player ● Give a napkin to a friend and say, “Jesus loves everyone!” (Thank you, Jesus!)

“God, You Are So Good” (Music CD track 3)

Coloring Creation

Supplies: “Jesus Welcomes Children” Coloring Creation pages (1 per child), crayons, eye stickers, Music CD, media player Jesus welcomes everyone. (Thank you, God!) And he welcomed the children with open arms because he loved spending time with them! ● Identify Jesus on the picture. ● Color the picture.

● Eat snack together.

When we pray, we talk with Jesus. Who has something we can talk with Jesus about?

● Pray together. Jesus loves everyone! (Thank you, Jesus!) He said kids are important in God’s family! Let’s work together as a family to clean up now.

● Place eye stickers on Jesus to show that he saw and welcomed kids! ● Encourage kids to draw themselves around Jesus, along with other kids they know. ● Play music as kids create.

“As I Have Loved You” (John 13:34) (Music CD track 7)

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Supplies • Music CD “Goodbye, My Friends” “As I Have Loved You” (John 13:34) • media player • Decker Bible Memory Buddy stickers (1 per child)

Goodbye Circle

It’s almost time to say goodbye! Let’s sing our goodbye song as we join hands and make one big circle!

“Goodbye, My Friends” (Music CD track 4) Some of the grown-ups didn’t think kids were important enough to spend time with Jesus, but Jesus loves everyone. (Thank you, Jesus!) He loves me and he loves you, and you, and you! Point at each child. ● Show the Bible Memory Buddy poster, and remind kids that Decker helps us remember that Jesus loves everyone! (Thank you, Jesus!) ● Invite Crew Guides to give each child a Decker sticker to wear or keep for later. Have each child open his or her arms like Jesus did. Crew Guides give each child a sticker and say, “[Child’s name], Jesus loves everyone, and that means you!”

“As I Have Loved You” (John 13:34) (Music CD Track 7) ● Do Bible Memory Verse motions and move to the music!

Saying each child’s name in a loving way helps kids simply experience God’s love through you!

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Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 3 | Week 3

Unit 3 | Week 4

Jesus Talks With a Samaritan Woman

Good News for Outsiders John 4:1-42

Bible Point

Jesus loves everyone.

Purpose

When have you been thirsty? Thirsty for water? Thirsty for something to satisfy you? Knowingly thirsty for a deeper relationship with God? The woman at the well was thirsty for something, too. But she didn’t know it was Jesus’ living water that she craved...that is, until she met Jesus, and everything became clear. Young children are thirsty, too. They crave more attention, more snacks, and more understanding of the world around them. In this lesson, you’ll show children that Jesus is the one who brings them true joy and gives them everything they need. You’ll give them a treasure they can hold on to for the rest of their lives.

Prayer

Dear God, thank you that you satisfy my every thirst. Fill me with your love and kindness today as I lead your children. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prep

Opening Options

Sing & Play

Option Cards*

Music CD*

Cotton Ball Fill ’Er Ups: cotton balls, cups

Buddy Video DVD*

Living Watercolors: paper, watercolor paints, paintbrushes, water

Decker Bible Memory Buddy poster*

Music Video DVD*

media player Bible (bookmark John 13:34)

Bible Discovery & Goodbye Circle “Jesus Talks With a Samaritan Woman” Bible Story poster* Music CD* Decker Bible Memory Buddy stickers* (1 per child) media player Bible (bookmark John 4:7, 9) pitchers filled with drinking water

Apply-It Options Game: no supplies Food-n-Friendship: snack, napkins, hand cleanser, Music CD*, media player Coloring Creation: “Jesus Talks With a Samaritan Woman” Coloring Creation pages* (1 per child), small pieces of blue tissue paper, glue sticks, wet wipes, crayons, Music CD*, media player

cups (1 per child)

* in your Simply Loved Kit 103

Opening Options

Cotton Ball Fill ’Er Ups

Living Watercolors

Supplies • cotton balls, cups

Supplies • paper, watercolor paints, paintbrushes, water

Pretends the cups are wells. Fill up the “wells” with cotton balls. Practice counting to see how many cotton balls can fit in the “well.”

Kids paint what they think “living water” looks like.

ell about places you’ve gotten water T to drink. Jesus met a woman at a well, which is a place where people could get water to drink. Jesus offered her a special kind of water. Jesus loves everyone.

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Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 3 | Week 4

What are some things you need every day? In today’s Bible story, Jesus called himself “living water.” Jesus wants to give us everything we need to live because Jesus loves everyone!

Opening Now’s a great time for Opening Options. Choose one—or both—to introduce today’s Bible discoveries.

“The Cleanup Song” (Music CD track 1)

Help kids transition by cleaning up before sitting with their Connect Crews. A Connect Crew is a smaller group of kids with one Crew Guide.

Sing & Play Welcome Hello, friends! I’m so glad you’re here today. Let’s sing our welcome song.

“Hello, My Friends” (Music CD track 2) Let’s say hello to our Crew Guides. They’re our go-to friends who are here to help. ● Kids give their Crew Guides a high-five.

Bible Point Jesus loves everyone. That’s our Bible Point today. Every time you hear the words ”Jesus loves everyone!” cross your hands over your heart like this (demonstrate) and say, “Thank you, Jesus!” Let’s try that together.

Supplies • Bible • Music CD

“Hello, My Friends”

• Buddy Video DVD

Decker Bible Memory Buddy video (Week 4)

• Music Video DVD

“To God Be the Glory” music video

“He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” music video

• media player • Decker Bible Memory Buddy poster

Jesus loves me. (point to yourself) Jesus loves you. (point to a friend) Jesus loves everyone. (cross hands over heart and say, “Thank you, Jesus!”) Jesus loves people who live here. (point to the ground in front of you) Jesus loves people who live there. (point away from you) Jesus loves everyone. (cross hands over heart and say, “Thank you, Jesus!”) Repeat several times.

Thank you, Jesus!

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Repetition cements learning, so be sure to say today’s Bible Point A LOT. Have fun with it! Kids will love listening for it and responding with “Thank you, Jesus!”

I’m so happy that God sent his Son, Jesus, to be our friend. Let’s sing about that!

“To God Be the Glory” music video

Decker Bible Memory Buddy video (Week 4) Decker is so cool! He reminds us to share Jesus’ love because Jesus loves everyone! (Thank you, Jesus!) ● Show the Bible Memory Buddy poster. ● Have everyone crab walk toward a friend and give their friends a “claw five.” Show the Bible. The Bible is God’s true story of love! Our Bible Memory Verse comes from the Bible. Let’s say it together. I’ll say a line, and then you repeat after me. “So now I am giving you a new commandment: (hold hands out like a tray) Love each other. (give a friend’s shoulder a squeeze) Just as I (point up) have loved you, (point forward) you should love each other.” (give another friend’s shoulder a squeeze) (John 13:34) We love people because Jesus loves us. Let’s sing a song about all the people Jesus loves.

“He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” music video

106

Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 3 | Week 4

Bible Discovery Hold up the Bible. Today our Bible story tells how Jesus became friends with someone. She was different from him, but that’s okay. Jesus loves everyone! (Thank you, Jesus!) ● Get comfy and sit in knee-to-knee circles with Connect Crews.

Tell how you’re different from a brother, sister, or friend. Invite Crew

Supplies • Bible • “Jesus Talks With a Samaritan Woman” Bible Story poster • pitchers filled with drinking water • cups (1 per child)

Guides to share first.

● Crew Guides give thumbs-up when everyone has shared. Jesus loves everyone. (Thank you, Jesus!) He made us all different and special. Sometimes people don’t like other people to be different from them, and that was true when Jesus was on earth, too. The Bible says one day Jesus was walking a long way and he stopped to get a drink at a well. A well is a place where you go to get water. Show me how you drink water after a long walk. Do this with me! ● Pat legs as if walking a long way. ● Make slurping sounds and drinking motions. Walking a long way in the sun can make us thirsty! But Jesus couldn’t get a drink from the well yet; he needed a bucket to lower down into the well to scoop up some water. Read aloud John 4:7. A woman came to the well with a bucket, and Jesus asked her for some water. Together, let’s pretend to get Jesus some water from a well. ● Pretend to lower a bucket. ● Pretend to pull a heavy bucket full of water back up.

Read the verse from the Bible. You’re showing kids that God’s Word is special. Don’t worry— we’ve kept the verses short for young attention spans.

● Show the Bible Story poster. Read aloud John 4:9. The woman was so surprised that Jesus talked to her. They lived in different places and did different things. But Jesus loves everyone, (Thank you, Jesus!) including the woman at the well. Jesus told the woman, “I can give you living water.” Pause. Hmm, this was very confusing for the woman! She said, “How are you going to get this living water without a rope or a bucket?”

Tell about a time you were confused. Briefly share a story from your own life.

● Invite a few responses from the whole group.

Welcome a few responses. Be sure to summarize what kids say so everyone can hear.

107

Jesus wasn’t trying to be confusing. He was using something we can see— water—to help us understand something we can’t see—his love. He said if we drink the “living water” we’ll never, ever be thirsty again. It’ll be the best water we ever tasted! Jesus meant that if we’re friends with him, he’ll fill us with love and give us all we need to live. Do what I do! ● Jesus gives us love when we feel sad. (cross hands over your chest) ● Jesus gives us joy. (jump up and down) ● Jesus is our friend; he’s always with us. (high-five a friend close to you) ● Repeat those actions several times, speeding up each time through. Whew! That made me thirsty. Let’s all get a drink! I’ll pour water from this pitcher. We can pretend it’s a bucket like the woman used. ● Have Crew Guides hold cups while you pour from the pitcher; then have them distribute cups to their Crews. ● Invite everyone to enjoy a drink of water. Jesus loves everyone. (Thank you, Jesus!) He loves people who live in different places and do different things. Meeting Jesus at the well changed the woman’s life! She realized that Jesus was special because Jesus is God’s Son! She was so excited she ran to tell all her friends about Jesus! ● Run in place excitedly. ● Circle up knee to knee with Connect Crews.

When have you run to tell something exciting? Invite Crew Guides to share first.

● Crew Guides give thumbs-up when everyone has shared. The woman ran to tell her friends, and they were all excited, too! They were different from Jesus’ other friends, but they were some of the first people to believe Jesus was God’s special Son. God sent Jesus to earth to show his love for us. Jesus loves everyone. (Thank you, Jesus!) He loves us, too!

Now’s a great time for Apply-It Options. Choose one or more that fit your time frame to support today’s Bible discoveries before the closing Goodbye Circle.

108

Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 3 | Week 4

Apply-It Options

Choose one—or all—of these activities to support kids’ learning after Bible Discovery.

Game

Play a version of tag where kids join the Tagger when tagged. After they’re tagged, they’ll hold hands with the Tagger, and anyone joined to the Tagger can tag others in the game. Play until everyone has joined the Tagger. Jesus loves everyone! (Thank you, Jesus!) He was happy the woman at the well told all her friends about him. He wants everyone to be his friend!

Food-n-Friendship

Supplies: snack, napkins, hand cleanser, Music CD, media player ● Give a napkin to a friend and say, “Jesus loves everyone!” (Thank you, Jesus!)

“God, You Are So Good” (Music CD track 3) ● Eat snack together.

When we pray, we talk with Jesus. Who has something we can talk with Jesus about?

● Pray together. Jesus loves everyone! (Thank you, Jesus!) We can share about Jesus like the woman did. Pick up someone else’s trash and say to that person, “Jesus loves you!”

Coloring Creation

Supplies: “Jesus Talks With a Samaritan Woman” Coloring Creation pages (1 per child), small pieces of blue tissue paper, glue sticks, wet wipes, crayons, Music CD, media player When Jesus went to the well, he was thirsty for water. But he ended up telling a woman about “living water.” He offered living water to the woman, and he offers it to us, too, because Jesus loves everyone. (Thank you, Jesus!) ● Talk about what Jesus and the woman in the picture are doing. ● Color the picture. ● Glue the blue tissue paper pieces to the well and bucket openings. ● Play music as kids create.

“As I Have Loved You” (John 13:34) (Music CD track 7)

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Supplies • Music CD “Goodbye, My Friends” “As I Have Loved You” (John 13:34) • media player • Decker Bible Memory Buddy stickers (1 per child)

Goodbye Circle

It’s almost time to say goodbye! Let’s sing our goodbye song as we join hands and make one big circle!

“Goodbye, My Friends” (Music CD track 4) The woman in the Bible story was different from Jesus. But Jesus loves everyone. (Thank you, Jesus!) Jesus loves all kinds of people. It doesn’t matter what you look like, where you live, or what you do. Jesus loves you! ● Show the Bible Memory Buddy poster, and remind kids that Decker helps us remember Jesus loves everyone! ● Invite Crew Guides to give each child a Decker sticker to wear or keep for later. Have kids cup their hands together so Crew Guides can place a sticker into each child’s “cup.” As Crew Guides give the sticker, have them say, ”Jesus loves everyone, and he loves you, [child’s name].”

“As I Have Loved You” (John 13:34) (Music CD track 7) ● Do Bible Memory Verse motions and move to the music!

Saying each child’s name in a loving way helps kids simply experience God’s love through you!

110

Pre-K & K | Quarter 1 | Unit 3 | Week 4

111

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Keep your Sundays simple—and your kids delighted—with Simply Loved. This Pre-K & K Leader Guide provides a step-by-step, simple-to-follow plan for Simply Loved Quarter 1 lessons. Featuring memorable, hands-on, friendship-focused activities, each lesson easily adapts to your unique Sunday school format while guiding kids on a foundational, Jesus-centered journey through God’s story of love.

This quarter’s Bible discoveries: Unit/Week

Unit Theme

God Creates the World (Genesis 1:1-25)

Unit 1/Week 1 Unit 1/Week 2 Unit 1/Week 3

In the Beginning— God always loves us.

Unit Theme

Unit 2/Week 3

God Has a Plan— We can trust God.

Unit Theme

Unit 3/Week 3 Unit 3/Week 4

Isaac Is Born (Genesis 18:1-15; 21:1-7) Jacob Steals Esau’s Blessing (Genesis 25:19-26; 27)

Lesson Theme Shepherds Hear About Jesus’ Birth (Luke 2:8-20)

Unit 3/Week 1 Unit 3/Week 2

Lesson Theme

Jacob and Esau Make Peace (Genesis 32:3-12, 22-32; 33:1-11)

Unit 2/Week 4

Unit/Week

Sin Enters God’s World (Genesis 3:1-24)

God Calls Abram (Genesis 12:1-8; 15:1-6)

Unit 2/Week 1 Unit 2/Week 2

God Creates People (Genesis 1:26–2:4)

A Flood Covers the Earth (Genesis 6:9–9:17)

Unit 1/Week 4

Unit/Week

Lesson Theme

Good News for Outsiders—Jesus loves everyone.

Jesus Befriends Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10) Jesus Welcomes Children (Luke 18:15-17) Jesus Talks With a Samaritan Woman (John 4:1-42)

 Join the Simply Loved Facebook community and learn from children’s ministry leaders just like you! facebook.com/groups/simplylovedteacherslounge

Printed in the U.S.A.

NCCP KidsX Complete Leader Guide PreK-K (Vol 1)

Articles inside

Lesson 5: God Calls Abram

Lesson 6: Isaac Is Born

Lesson 4: A Flood Covers the Earth

Lesson 3: Sin Enters God’s World

Lesson 2: God Creates People

Lesson 1: God Creates the World

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