Leader’s manual OT9 People of faith Faith-filled men and women from Hebrews 11
Contents
How it works
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Unit introduction
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God’s big plan
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Noah
Hebrews 11:1,7; Genesis 5–9
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Abraham
Hebrews 11:8–22; Genesis 12; 15:1–6; 22:1–18
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Moses
Hebrews 11:23–29; Exodus 3:1–12; 14:10–31
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Rahab
Hebrews 11:31; James 2:24–25; Joshua 2; 6:21–25
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Keep on going by faith
Hebrews 11:39,40; 12:1–3
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Gideon
Hebrews 11:32–34; Judges 6,7
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Deborah
Hebrews 11:32–34; Judges 4:1–22
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Samson
Hebrews 11:32–34; Judges 13–16
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This is it
Hebrews 11:1–12:3
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Easter session – The Emmaus road
Luke 24:1–35
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Extra games
88
Extra activites
89
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How it works How the sessions are structured Bible passage: All sessions are Bible-focused
Aim This is the ‘big idea’ to be taught during this session. It is child-oriented.
Outcomes These statements break down the aim into ‘do-able’ chunks. There are generally only three, so that the leader can keep them in mind and check up later whether or not they were achieved. They are broken up into: • knowledge – information, concepts, beliefs • understanding – more personal ways of grasping the concepts in the session • life application – ways of making links between knowledge and children’s lives, and reflecting on what kind of change might happen in response to God’s word.
Memory verse This verse will be based on the CEV Bible and will be taught during the session.
Notes These notes for the leader give Bible context and background. There are hints regarding the theology of the passage, where it fits in salvation history and how it may properly be applied to both leader and child. There might also be comments about the management of the session content and special comments when needed about visual aids and activities.
Leader’s prayer This section links to the aim and outcomes, mentioning the way this session will actually call for a response from the child and make a difference in their lives.
Gear A list is given at the beginning of the session including all the equipment needed by the leader and when it will be used. Some items will be given as optional.
Start up During this time activities occur that introduce the theme, aim and ideas of the session. There may be a few activities to choose from. Each activity has a specified purpose.
Chat time This short section is when the activities are over and the leader and children reflect on what the activities were about and how they lead into the Bible focus time. This will often involve a few open-ended questions. NOTE: Sometimes during Bible focus there will be a special comment to the leader about an issue that may come up during the session.
Get ready This section gives hints about important preparation to be done before the session starts.
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Bible focus
This icon shows you where in the session the children will be reading, listening to and interacting with the Bible.
Links ?
Links are made with previous learning which may involve the Memory verse or a previous session. Links with life will also happen at this introductory part of the session. Connections with life are raised and the children are encouraged to discuss ‘real life’ situations they face. We will raise the issue here and it will be drawn to a conclusion during Bringing it together.
Teaching time This is the body of the session. It involves teaching and learning activities. Activities are usually integrated into this time rather than having them as an add-on later. During this time the aim and the outcomes of the session are directing the activities. What the leader actually says to the children is presented in bold text. Directions to the leader are in normal type. In this part of the session we aim to have the children interacting with the Bible themselves. We seek to unpack the Bible passage in its context and place it in the big picture of salvation history. Concepts and activities are designed to be ageappropriate and not too abstract. It is understood that such a wide age-range is a great challenge, so in many ways we aim for the middle group of nine and ten year olds. Older or more able children will be challenged by the Digging deeper activities. Application is an important part of this section and it is done carefully, while being true to the passage and to the developmental needs of the children. There must be a ‘crunch’ for the child – a place where ‘the rubber hits the road’ in their lives. They are called to respond to the challenge of the passage, without ever being manipulated or inappropriately pushed into an uncomfortable situation. Regardless of the stage of their faith, they can be called on to respond and encouraged to know how God’s word challenges them to change. Application should always be ‘grace-oriented’ and ‘gospel-based’.
Digging deeper This section has suggested extension learning activities for older or more able children. It still seeks to be directed by the aim and outcomes. It will usually be Bible-based.
Music spot Various songs, on readily available CDs, are suggested to link into the session and to provide a high-interest flow to the activities.
Bringing it together This section is really important. The leader is encouraged to allow enough time for this as connections are discussed that impact the children’s lives. There may be open-ended questions that encourage children to respond in their own terms. We are aiming for honest responses from the children.
Prayer This will normally follow Bringing it together and allows for the issues highlighted by the children to be prayed about. Leaders will model prayer and also teach children how to pray – both for themselves and for others, and for issues in the wider world.
Think about it
Think ahead
Here the leader is encouraged to think through issues that occurred in the session and reflect on possible strategies for the future.
This is a very brief indication of what the leader will need to plan ahead for next session. It may involve equipment, people, and so on.
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People of
Unit introduction
faith
This unit is based on people of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11.
Unit aim To encourage the children to grow in faith as they learn about God’s faithfulness to his people, the way he has worked in their lives to bring about his plans, and the helpful example of many Old Testament people of faith.
Unit outcomes By the end of this unit the children will: • know that God has an unfolding plan that is revealed in the salvation history of the Old and New Testaments • understand how God’s plan was unfolding in the lives of the people of faith in Hebrews 11 • understand how we can be part of God’s unfolding plan, by having faith in Jesus • make links with their own lives and be able to explain how they can ‘live by faith’ today.
Memory verses Sessions 1,10 You were saved by faith in God, who treats us better than we deserve. Ephesians 2:8 (CEV) Sessions 2–4,6,10 Faith makes us sure of what we hope for and gives us proof of what we can’t see. Hebrews 11:1 (CEV) Sessions 5–7,10 All of them pleased God because of their faith. Hebrews 11:39 (CEV) Sessions 8–10 So keep your mind on Jesus … then you won’t get discouraged and give up. Hebrews 12:3 (CEV) Session 11 God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die. John 3:16 (CEV)
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Timeline Cr ea t
Where this fits in God’s plan of salvation
The people of faith from Hebrews 11 who are in this unit stretch from Noah to Samson. We encourage the children to understand that Jesus is the ‘centre-piece’ of God’s plan and that we can also be part of the plan by having faith in Jesus ourselves. top Over the
Notes
adults, benefit from learning approaches that involve exploring faith from each of these four aspects. These sessions have been written with this in mind.
Bible background The book of Hebrews is written to encourage and inspire followers of Jesus who are tempted to give in to discouragement or to give up their faith. They needed to be reminded of all that Jesus had done for them. The writer to the Hebrews also shows his readers what a glorious Saviour they have, how he promises to help them and how great their hope of heaven is. One of the concerns of the writer of the letter to the Hebrews was to show how so much of the Old Testament was fulfilled in Jesus. In Chapter 11 the writer looks back over history to those who ‘pleased God because of their faith’ (Hebrews 11:39). Jesus himself is the great example and the one to focus on (Hebrews 12:2) who will help us not to ‘get discouraged and give up’ (Hebrews 12:3). How we need to hear the same message today! We all need encouragement to remember what Jesus has done for us, to come to him for help in our troubles and to follow the example of so many who have gone before us in faithfully trusting God and his promises. The need and the message are the same whether we are adults or children. Unlike those mentioned in Hebrews 11, we are in the privileged position of knowing that Jesus has died and risen again, and that he will return to renew creation and make all things right. We live in the light of that knowledge. Yes, we have salvation in Christ – but we don’t yet experience the full redemption promised to us. That’s the tension of life for us as Jesus’ disciples. That’s our context for living lives of faith.
Faith development Children grow and development physically, emotionally, cognitively and spiritually at different rates and in different ways. This unit aims to encourage growth in faith, for each child at their own pace. No matter where each child is at in their faith development, they can be challenged to respond in faith to God and in obedience to the way he wants them to live. Faith has been described as having four aspects: believing, imagining, trusting and doing. (See Children Finding Faith by Francis Bridger, SU, England, 2000, available from CEP). Believing involves having faith in the truth of the gospel and a reliance on the promises of God in Christ. Imagining involves creatively exploring our beliefs. Trusting involves the relational side of faith. Doing is the way we act as an outworking of our faith. Children, like
Special features Visual aids The Leader’s pack includes: six Bible Timeline posters seven full-colour Character posters four Memory verse posters a sample set of the Children’s character/ swap cards • a variety of visual aids, photocopiables and activities for each session.
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Ordinary/extraordinary board Each session suggests the use of special holographic cardboard which can be written on with whiteboard markers, and later erased. You may find this is available at larger newsagents or office suppliers. You will only need one sheet, which will be reused each session.
‘Blast from the past’ exhibition The sessions have activities which may be done each week and taken home by the children. Alternatively, the items the children create can be used to build up a display which will be shown at the end of Session 10. This is the ‘Blast from the past’ exhibition. Each week three tasks are suggested: Picture Portrait, Brochure and Audio. The picture portrait involves a head and shoulders outline (provided in Leader’s pack), which may be enlarged and decorated by the children. The brochure (master provided in Leader’s pack) involves a written activity related to the session which can be displayed when completed. The Audio-guide is a drama-based activity, recorded by the children and played to the visitors to the exhibition during the last session of the unit. It is suggested that you choose the scope of the exhibition and the activities completed to suit your group. You will need to take into account the age, ability, interest, and self-discipline of your group. Adjust your expectations as you know the group better. Whether you attempt the exhibition or not, there are plenty of activities provided for each session and each level. Ideally, a whole wall of your meeting place could be used, week by week, to build up the exhibition. If this is not possible, the items can be pinned to a sheet or two and hung up, then taken down each week.
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Character cards A sample set of the Children’s character/swap cards is provided in the Leader’s pack. Extra sets may be purchased from CEP so that each child can receive a card each session.
Digging deeper This section is designed for more able children who want to dig deeper into the session content. These activities are usually Bible-focused and involve good reading skills and literacy. If you have a multi-aged group, these ideas can be used to challenge children who feel they’ve ‘heard it all before’.
Extra ideas The Leader’s manual contains ideas for Extra games and activities if you need them (pages 88,89).
Music spot The sessions recommend songs from these CD’s, all available from CEP.
Warning!
• Promises, promises, CEP
As you read some of the ‘Blast from the past’ activities, you may be tempted to skip them because they don’t look like the children are ‘learning’. After all, they can’t possibly be learning, because they aren’t sitting down with a pen and paper in hand, right?
• Best news! Tony Jones & Mountain feet • 10,9,8 … God is great, Colin Buchanan • Remember the Lord, Colin Buchanan • Practise being Godly, Colin Buchanan • The King, the snake and the promise, Emu Music
Wrong! The ‘Blast from the past’ activities are a wonderful way for your children to learn. They are using the Bible and their imagination to recreate scenes. They are thinking about the interaction between God and his people. They are talking with each other and you about the things of God. They will also remember their exhibition for many years. Don’t be tempted to just do the ‘serious Bible teaching stuff’. Children can, and do, learn in a myriad of ways.
Easter A supplementary Easter session is provided. It cover’s Jesus’ death and resurrection and particularly focuses on the Emmaus road (Luke 24:1–35).
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God’s
big plan
Aim The children will be introduced to God’s plan of salvation and to what it means to have faith in God.
Outcomes By the end of this session the children will: • know that God has a plan for his world • understand that we can be part of ‘God’s big plan’ of salvation by having faith in Jesus • suggest ways of responding to God’s gift of faith.
Memory verse You were saved by faith in God, who treats us better than we deserve. Ephesians 2:8 (CEV)
Notes Welcome to the first session of the unit! This session is designed to allow you time to get to know the children, help them get to know each other and to introduce God’s big plan of salvation to them. You will need to get to know your group so that you can design future sessions to meet their needs. They will need to get to know you and what your expectations are for this time each week. They will need to feel relaxed, safe and interested as they meet today. They will also need to know that you are going to help them see that God and his word can really make a difference in their lives. It’s important to establish that fun will involve learning, activities will involve thinking and discussions will involve them expressing their own thoughts about God and asking the questions that really matter to them. This session sets the scene for the rest of the unit in two ways: • by introducing the children to the scope of salvation history: God’s big plan • by introducing important teaching about faith and grace. Much of the teaching about God’s big plan will make use of the colour posters in the Leader’s pack that create a timeline of salvation history. Make sure you can display this clearly for your group.
The teaching about faith comes in the form of a simple poem that will be introduced this session and can be used throughout the unit.
Leader’s prayer Pray for your group, and for yourself, to be gripped again by the greatness of God’s big plan of salvation.
Gear q Six Bible Timeline posters q A photocopy of the name and information cards (page 13), and Blu-Tack for Bible focus q CD player, CD of choice and percussion instruments (optional) q ‘Faith’ acrostic drawn on a large sheet of paper and a thick marker pen for Bible focus q A photocopy of the People of faith board game (page 14) for each child, counters and dice q Memory verse poster (Ephesianss 2:8) q A Memory verse card from the Children’s character/swap cards for each child q Gear for chosen activities in Start up section
Get ready Display the Bible Timeline posters in your area. If using the CD, make sure the CD player is ready.
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Start up
NOTE: It is important to set the tone of your sessions as a time when children can ask questions or express ideas even if they are not quite right. After all, they are learners and their level of development will mean that they can’t fully understand many abstract ideas. Respond to their suggestions with words such as: That’s a great thought. Let’s think about that idea. What a good question. I think you’re on to something there. What do other people think?
These activities introduce the ‘Getting to know you’ part of the session and the idea of ‘God’s Big Plan’.
Guess who? Purpose: To introduce the children to each other and to you. Gear q Two strips of paper and a pen or pencil for each child q Hat Give each child two slips of paper and a pen or pencil. Introduce this activity by saying that there are two things about you that you bet no one will be able to guess. Take guesses from the group. Finally, reveal the two things (for example, you have an axolotl for a pet, you speak another language, you have climbed Mt Everest). Ask the children to write on each slip of paper something unusual about themselves – but it must be true! (For example, which country they were born in, their pet’s name, their favourite colour, their dad’s middle name.) Place all the slips into a hat. Invite one child to choose and read a slip and the group should try to guess who wrote it.
A really big plan Purpose: To introduce the idea of having a really big plan for a special event. Divide the children into groups of two or three, with a mixture of ages. Tell them they have to plan the world’s greatest party. They have a one million dollar budget and 100 servants to do the work. They have the use of the Sydney Olympic Park and the party has to last a whole weekend. Give the group two minutes to come up with their 10 step plan. Ask the children to share their ideas with the group.
Chat time The trouble with our plans is that lots of things could go wrong! What if the band got the chicken pox? What if it rained? What if … (Invite the children to suggest some other disasters to wreck their party.) It’s a good thing for us that God’s plans never have a ‘what if?’ God can always make his plans happen just the way he wants. Can you think of any of God’s plans? Have they already happened? Are they plans for the future? (Accept all the answers suggested. This time is just to get the children thinking.)
Bible focus Links ?
How can we know about God’s plans? How can we be part of them? (Accept suggestions from the group.) The Bible is full of people who are part of God’s plans. I wonder how many people from the Bible you can name. Let’s make a list and see if we can get to 20. Accept all answers and count them as you go. Stop at 20. If a child suggests one of the characters from later in the session, affirm their suggestion and tell them to remember that one in particular because you will come back to that person. Now, I guess the really hard part would be putting them in the right order according to when they were alive. Could anyone remember them all and put them in order? (Invite only one child to try to say them in order. It will probably be too hard!)
Teaching time Timeline cards God’s big plan has been going on for thousands and thousands and thousands of years! That’s a long time to keep a plan going, isn’t it! There have been lots of people in God’s plans and lots of exciting things have happened to them. We can’t show all of them but here are pictures of some people and what happened to them. Indicate the Bible Timeline posters. I have 15 name cards to put on this poster. Let’s see if you can put these cards up on our Bible Timeline posters and match the name with the character. This part is easier and can be given to younger students to do.
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Give out the name cards, photocopied from page 13, one at a time and allow a child to Blu-Tack the name card above the character in the appropriate place. When they are all done, read the name cards through in order as you point to each picture, or ask a child to say the names while another child points.
only the FAITH letters showing. Clap the rhythm as they say the words.
Now, here’s the hard part. Who can match these information cards with the right name card? They are all jumbled up. So, if you want to try it, come and choose one.
Choose one of the characters (NOT Jesus or the Holy Spirit) from the Bible Timeline and ask a child who is willing to come up the front and be that character for a TV interview. A simple prop such as a hat, hammer, torch or stick could help.
As a card is chosen, ask the child to read it to the group then suggest where it goes. Children in the group might like to help, if the individual child is having difficulty. A short explanation can be given for each one, but don’t try to say too much as most will be covered again in later sessions. To revise the learning, divide the group into two halves. You point to a name and say it clearly then point to one group who must quickly say the correct information. All these people had one thing in common: faith in God.
Interview This interview could use a member of the church who has been asked beforehand.
Children could ask questions such as: Tell us about the most exciting thing that happened in your life. Were you scared? Did others help? What was the weather like that day? Did you ask your mum if you could do it? What did you discover about God?
Game: People of faith Give each child a photocopy of the game board on page 14. Children can take them home to decorate and play or you could allow time during the session for this. They will need counters and dice.
Music spot God’s mega plan, track 2 of CEP’s Promises, Promises CD.
Digging deeper Older or more able children can develop a game using the name and explanation cards. Ask the children to lay all the information cards face-down. They choose a name card from a pile, and then turn over an information card to try to get the right one. If they succeed they keep the cards and try again. If they fail to turn over the right information card, the name card is given to the next player and they try to match it correctly. The game goes on until all cards are collected.
10,9,8 … God is great, track 2 of Colin Buchanan’s 10,9,8 … God is great CD. Children will catch on to the words just by listening. You could have some simple percussion instruments for children to use as they sing. Younger groups may really enjoy standing up at this point and moving to the music as they sing.
Faith acrostic Many, many people from the beginning of God’s big plan have had faith in him. What do you think it means to ‘have faith in God’? (Accept suggestions.) Here’s an easy way to remember what faith means.
Bringing it together
Write the word FAITH going down the sheet of paper then add these words:
Today we heard about just some of the people who have been part of God’s great big plan. This plan is all about us being part of God’s huge family – with all these other people (indicate the Bible Timeline). God’s family is different to ours – you aren’t born the normal way into his family. How do we become part of God’s family? (Accept some suggestions.)
F A I T H
faith believes that absolutely everything God says is true … and he helps me believe it!
Say this through with the children a few times, emphasising the syllables in bold. Then cover words up one by one till they can say the whole thing with
We become part of God’s family by having faith in Jesus, just like so many people before
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us. That’s why I’m part of God’s family (also mention others known to the children). Remember what faith is: Faith believes that absolutely everything God says is true – and he helps me believe it! We are saved by faith in God – who treats us much better than we deserve! Display how Memory verse poster (Ephesians 2:8) and read it together. What difference do you think it makes to someone’s life when they have faith in God? (Accept suggestions and summarise by saying: Some one who has faith in God wants to live the way God says. We’ll think more about that in the sessions ahead.)
NOTE: The CEP leaflet Living as God’s friend or booklet Becoming God’s friend are other good ways to teach God’s big plan. Children could take one home or you could keep them and reuse them during the unit.
Prayer Let’s ask God to help us have faith. God, thanks for having such a big plan that means so many people are in your family. Thanks for all the great things you did in the lives of these people we have heard about today. You are an amazing God! Help us to have faith in you and to be part of your family. Amen. If you have time, include the children in praying by allowing them to say a prayer of thanks for something they choose.
Take home Distribute the Memory verse card (Ephesians 2:8) from the Children’s character/swap cards. Encourage them to take the cards home to show their family. NOTE: If you have extra time play one of the quick games on page 88.
Think about it
Think ahead
Which children stand out as needing extra help or extra challenges?
You will need: the Bible Timeline posters; Character poster of Noah; Faith acrostic from Session 1; ordinary/extraordinary board and white board markers and the Children’s character/ swap cards of Noah.
How could you have been better organised with the equipment needed? Did you have enough time to do what you planned? Do you need to plan more for next session?
You will need to make 10 cards of Noah’s story (page 18) and have the materials ready for the ‘Blast from the past’ activities you choose to do. Refer to Gear for Session 2 (page 16).
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CREATION
God’s good creation is spoiled by sin.
NOAH
I had faith in God and I built a boat.
ABRAHAM
I was given three big promises by God.
JOSEPH
I went to Egypt as a slave.
MOSES
I led God’s people through the sea.
RAHAB
I helped some spies.
GIDEON
I led an army with torches for weapons.
SAMSON
I pulled a building down on God’s enemies.
DAVID
I was a shepherd who became a king.
DANIEL
I was fed to lions.
EZRA
I helped God’s people rebuild the temple.
JESUS
I perfectly obeyed God. I died but came back to life.
HOLY SPIRIT
I help people spread the news about Jesus.
US
We read the Bible. We have faith in God.
JESUS
I will return to make things right.
© CEP 2003 The purchaser of the Over the top OT9 manual is entitled to photocopy this page for use with his or her group.
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Š CEP 2003 The purchaser of the Over the top OT9 manual is entitled to photocopy this page for use with his or her group. Over 14 the top