Unit: Celebrate Jesus’ Birth

Session Title: Angels spoke to Mary and Joseph

Life Point: God chose a family for Jesus.

Unit Verse: “Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:11

Weekly Bible Verse: “She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

Bible Passage: Luke 1:26-38; Matthew 1:18-24

Extras from LifeWay (GREAT Ideas Here): Click here

* * *

Craft: Angel Ornament
This craft idea is in the 3rd and 4th grade material but here it is for other classes as well.
Click here for more info

Craft: Paper (Coffee Filter) Angel
Ornament made from a coffee filter, we may have some filters if you request from Tricia. You can replace the foam ball with a wood ball. All the instructions are on the website below.
Click here for more info

Craft: Doily Angel
This could be an ornament or just a standing decoration for a table.
Click here for more info

Snack/Craft: Hersey Kisses Angel
This is a cute snack/craft for kids to make for themselves or to give to others.
Click here for more info

Craft: Handprint Angel
This would be so cute for the younger kids to do.
Click here for more info

Unit: Celebrate Jesus’ Birth

Session Title: Prophets Told about Jesus

Life Point: People knew to expect Jesus because prophets told about Him.

Unit Verse: “Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:11

Weekly Bible Verse: “The virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14

Bible Passage: Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; 11:1-5; Micah 5:2

Extras from LifeWay (GREAT Ideas Here): Click here

* * *

Craft: Isaiah 9:6 Ornament
Students will make an ornament to remind them of the prophecy Isaiah had about Jesus’ birth.
Click here for more info

Craft: Jesus Ornament
This craft is great and something easy the kids can do to put on their trees. I would say this is more of a 3rd and 4th grade craft since there is writing and permanent markers. You can find ornaments like the ones in the pictures at Michaels or Hobby Lobby.
Click here for more info

Craft: A Child is Born Ornament
Cute tree ornament made out of craft sticks. You could paint the craft sticks beforehand or leave them as is. This craft will take prep work to get the craft sticks cut to size.
Click here for more info

Craft: Names of Jesus Advent Chain
Children will make an advent chain that will help them remember the names of Jesus and remind them of the reason for the season. All the instructions are on the website below. This is a craft that would require a lot of prep or need to do with older students since there is a lot of writing involved.
Click here for more info

Beginning or Ending Activity: What is His Name?
Students will complete the worksheet by looking up the verses to find the names of Jesus. You could also do this as an activity with the whole class to look up the verses.
Click here for more info

Game: Blind Artist
Ask your class to form pairs. You will need one blindfold for each pair of children, a washable marker, and one sheet of butcher paper for each pair large enough for both children to draw on together. Ask the partners to choose which person will be the blindfolded person. Next, give each child a marker and ask the partners to stand or sit next to each other. Tell them, “When I say, ‘go’ you will have three minutes to draw your best picture of baby Jesus in the manger.” Say, “go” and allow for 3 minutes.

At the end of three minutes, say, “Stop.” Have the blindfolded children take off their blindfolds to see their pictures. The pictures drawn by those children without the blindfold should be noticeably better.

The nation of Israel was in a state of great darkness. But Isaiah gave them a message of great hope–the Messiah, Jesus, would come. He would take them out of darkness and show them light. Before we came to know Jesus, we were in spiritual darkness. Like our pictures we drew while blindfolded, our lives would be a disaster apart from Jesus’ glorious light. When we receive the light of the Gospel of Jesus, the blindfold is removed; and the Lord can make something very beautiful out of our lives.
Click here for more info

Craft: What’s In A Name Banner?
For this craft, you will need a straw for each child, string (approximately 12”) for each child, scissors, light weight tissue or paper, glitter and glue. Cut a 1/2” slit on each side of the straw. Tie knots on each end of the string. Slide the knotted ends of the string into the slits in the straw, one on each end to hold the banner up. Cut the paper to the width of the straw and leave it about 12” long or longer. Fold and glue the top edge of the paper over the straw.

Ask the children to choose their favorite name from the list of names for Jesus in Isaiah 9:6 and write the name on the banner along with the scripture reference, Isaiah 9:6. Decorate with the tissue, glitter, or perhaps sequins, stickers, or other decorative things to make their banner look unique.
Click here for more info

Unit: God Will Help Me

Session Title: A Couple Helped Elisha

Life Point: God shows His love to all people.

Unit Verse: “God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble.” Psalm 46:1

Weekly Bible Verse: “Serve one another through love.” Galatians 5:13

Bible Passage: 2 Kings 4:8-37

Extras from LifeWay (GREAT Ideas Here): Click here

* * *

Craft: Loving Chain
Basic paper chain but on each link you have the kids write a way they can love others.
Click here for more info

Craft: Windsock to Hang In Bedroom
The link below will help you to make a basic windsock. You could print the bible verse on the windsock before making it or have them write it and decorate it. Have them hang it in their bedroom since the story takes place in the bedroom but it will also be an everyday reminder to serve others through love.
Click here for more info

Craft: Love one Another Hanger
Another thing for the kids to hang in their room to remind them to love one another. Template for the craft is on the website below.
Click here for more info

Unit: God Will Help Me

Session Title: Elisha and the Widow

Life Point: God wants people to obey Him.

Unit Verse: “God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble.” Psalm 46:1

Weekly Bible Verse: “My God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

Bible Passage: 2 Kings 4:1-7

Extras from LifeWay (GREAT Ideas Here): Click here

* * *

Object Lesson: Water That Does Not Run Out
The website below shows you how to do this activity. It would be great to do while telling the Bible story.
Click here for more info

Craft: Oil Jar Watercolor
The link below shows a craft that is pretty cool. It is very involved and you may want to test it out before doing with children. There are other ideas on this link as well. The watercolor picture is near the bottom.
Click here for more info

Object Lesson: How Many Jars?
Bring from home as many different and unique containers as you can find. These will represent the different jars that the widow collected. You will want to pick out about five or six (probably small ones) and use glass or metal containers to get a musical tone when tapped.

Show the class the different kinds of containers that you have. Next put different amounts of water in each “vessel.” Then using a pencil or something similar, tap the different vessels. Each vessel will make a different sound. With the different tones, you will come up with a tune. If you would like, allow the children to take turns playing your vessel instruments.

Elijah and Elisha were both powerfully anointed by God for His service; yet, their ministries were different in direction and purpose. We are vessels of the Lord. Each one of us is different in the body of Christ. But when we use the gifts that the Holy Spirit has given us we can make something wonderful (like music) that can honor the Lord.
** You could also add on to this activity and use a bathroom cup to see how many cups it takes to fill each jar. **
Click here for more info

Unit: God Will Help Me

Session Title: God Protected Elijah

Life Point: God has the power to protect people

Unit Verse: “God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble.” Psalm 46:1

Weekly Bible Verse: “God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble.” Psalm 46:1

Bible Passage: 1 Kings 19:1-8

Extras from LifeWay (GREAT Ideas Here): Click here

* * *

Craft: Where is God?
A craft to show where God is when we need Him. All the instructions and templates are on the link below.
Click here for more info

Object Lesson: Elijah in the Whirlwind
The link below shows an object lesson that I think the kids will really enjoy. They give you all the instructions. I will admit it involves shaving cream and could get messy. If you choose to this please cover the tables and carpet so they are not stained.
Click here for more info

Craft: Still Small Voice
Materials needed: 9″ x 12″ white paper, crayons.
1. Hand out paper.
2. Fold paper in half.
3. Fold paper in half again.
4. On the outside of the paper, completely folded, write ” Elijah stood on Mt. Horeb and…” and “1 Kings 19.”
5. Open up the paper once and write “The LORD passed by, but…”
6. Open the paper to full size and draw a line on the folded places.
7. In the first box, write “The LORD was not in the wind.”
8. Draw the wind blowing in Box #1.
9. In the second box, write “The LORD was not in the earthquake.”
10. Draw a picture of an earthquake in the Box #2.
11. In the third box, write “The LORD was not in the fire.”
12. Draw a picture of a fire.
13. In the last box, write “The LORD was in the small, still voice.”
14. Write “What are you doing here, Elijah?” in a speech bubble in Box #4.
15. Fold paper up to take home.
Click here for more info

Food: Fire Treats
Cute little snack for the kids. Will take some preparation but with the older kids you could have them build them. If you choose to do these please put up an allergy alert.
Click here for more info

Unit: God Will Help Me

Session Title: God Cared for Elijah

Life Point: God has care and concern for all people.

Unit Verse: “God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble.” Psalm 46:1

Weekly Bible Verse: “You, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God.” Psalm 86:15a

Bible Passage: 1 Kings 17:8-24

Extras from LifeWay (GREAT Ideas Here): Click here

* * *

Object Lesson: Widow’s Oil Jar
This is a fun object lesson to demonstrate how the oil jar kept filling up like in the Bible story. All the instructions are on the PDF link below.
Click here for more info

Craft: Oil Jar Watercolor
The link below shows a craft that is pretty cool. It is very involved though and you may want to test it out before doing with children. There are other ideas on this link as well. The watercolor picture is near the bottom.
Click here for more info

Craft: Jar of Oil
Elijah was wasting away from hunger at the brook of Kerith when God told him to go stay with the widow to receive his food. Problem was that the widow’s cupboards were almost empty. Both Elijah and the widow learned a lesson about trusting God to provide for their needs when Elijah prayed and God made the little bit of flour and oil that the widow had to offer last until the rains returned to the land. Students can decorate their own oil jars to help them remember that God will use whatever paltry offering they have and make it more than enough when they give it to Him. Use baby food jars, canning jars or clean, leftover food jars with lids. Paint the outside of the jar or cover it with cloth or colorful tissue paper decoupage. Pour in one cup of oil in, then seal the lid tightly.
Click here for more info

Object Lesson: How Many Jars?
Bring from home as many different and unique containers as you can find. These will represent the different jars that the widow collected. You will want to pick out about five or six (probably small ones) and use glass or metal containers to get a musical tone when tapped.

Show the class the different kinds of containers that you have. Next put different amounts of water in each “vessel.” Then using a pencil or something similar, tap the different vessels. Each vessel will make a different sound. With the different tones, you will come up with a tune. If you would like, allow the children to take turns playing your vessel instruments.

Elijah and Elisha were both powerfully anointed by God for His service; yet, their ministries were different in direction and purpose. We are vessels of the Lord. Each one of us is different in the body of Christ. But when we use the gifts that the Holy Spirit has given us we can make something wonderful (like music) that can honor the Lord.

* You could also add on to this activity and use a bathroom cup to see how many cups it takes to fill each jar. *
Click here for more info

Unit: Love and Obey God

Session Title: King David

Life Point: God wants people to live in ways that please Him.

Unit Verse: “I call on you, God, because you will answer me.” Psalm 17:6

Weekly Bible Verse: “Instruct them about the statutes and laws, and teach them the way to live and what they must do.” Exodus 18:20

Bible Passage: 2 Samuel 5-8

Extras from LifeWay (GREAT Ideas Here): Click here

* * *

Review Game: Crown Toss
The website below shows how to construct this game but the basic premise of the game is the review questions will be in crowns and the children will try and toss the ball into a crown to answer a question. This would probably work better with a smaller class or if you break your kids up into groups.
Click here for more info

Devotional: Oh the Places You’ll Go
This devotional pairs the Dr. Seuss book Oh the Places You’ll Go with Jeremiah 29:11. I think it does a good job of explaining the plan God has for our lives at a younger level. You will need to open the PDF to read the devotional part.
Click here for more info
Devotional for Jer 29:11

Craft: Oh the Places God Will Take Us
Print off balloon PDF below on colored sheets of paper. Have kids think about what God may have them do in the future and the plan God may have for their lives. You can suggest thinking about the talents God has already given them and what kind of job they would be best at or maybe where God may have them live someday. You then could hang them all together on the wall. You could pair this craft with the Dr. Seuss devotional above.
Balloon PDF

Craft: What’s in your heart?
With this activity students will cut out a heart shape from construction paper. On one side of the heart students will write words that describe a heart that does not please God (lying, stealing, disobedience, cheating, bullying, etc.). On the other side students will write words that describe a heart that pleases God (obedient, honest, faithful, kind, serves others, joyful, etc.). Have Scriptures available to direct them to Godly attitudes.
Click here for more info

Unit: Love and Obey God

Session Title: David and Jonathan

Life Point: Good and bad things happen to people, but God always love them.

Unit Verse: “I call on you, God, because you will answer me.” Psalm 17:6

Weekly Bible Verse: “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another.” John 13:34

Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 18:1-4;20

Extras from LifeWay (GREAT Ideas Here): Click here

* * *

Craft: Arrows and Quivers
The kids can make their own arrows and quiver. The quivers made on the below website were made out Pringles cans but you could do it with other types of containers as well. This looks like a fun activity. Note: The idea is towards the bottom on the below website.
Click here for more info

Craft: Mini Bow and Arrows
Kids will love this craft. Please let us know by tomorrow if you need notched popsicle sticks, dental floss and Q-tips for this craft because we do not have them in stock in the resource room and we’ll need time to purchase them before Sunday.
Click here for more info

Review Game
This review game will be very exciting; the kids have the opportunity to shoot an arrow! Have the kids answer one of the question from the lesson (you could print them on ARROWS to go along with the lesson) and then they will get the opportunity to shoot an arrow at the target! (The bow and arrow are a Nerf style product. You could purchase at Walmart.)
Click here for more info

Craft: Friendship Wreath
Have each kid make their handprint on a wreath made out of paper. You could have them sign their name on the handprint after it is dry. On the wreath write “friendship wreath” and hang it in the class to display.
Click here for more info

Food: Breakfast Arrow Skewers
This is for cupid’s arrows but will work for this lesson. Kids will love making these and eating them as you tell the lesson.
Click here for more info

Unit: Love and Obey God

Session Title: David and Goliath

Life Point: People can use their talents and abilities to please and honor God.

Unit Verse: “I call on you, God, because you will answer me.” Psalm 17:6

Weekly Bible Verse: “Serve the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” Psalm 100:2

Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 17:1-50

Extras from LifeWay (GREAT Ideas Here): Click here

* * *

Craft: Painted Stones and Sack
This site has a great craft for children and is pretty easy to do. There are also other ideas on this site for this lesson.
Click here for more info

Game: David Goliath Stone Game
The site below has all the instructions for this very easy game for your children to play. This would be a great early arriver game or closing activity while waiting for parents. You may want to make two sets if you have a bigger class.
Click here for more info

Activity: Hit Goliath with Marshmallows
Have the kids draw a large drawing of Goliath and then use marshmallows to try and hit him in the head. The site below has the easy instructions for this activity.
Click here for more info

Food: Stone Cookies
Very easy snack to put together. Instructions on the site below. * Don’t forget to post an allergy alert if you make these cookies. *
Click here for more info

Craft: Overcoming Obstacles Stones
The site below has all the instructions and the template for this craft. (This craft is more suited for older grades.)
Click here for more info

Conversation: IMPACT
Talk to your kids about IMPACT (our Wednesday night program). Explain that IMPACT is where they get to do exactly what our bible lesson is talking about this week, using your talents for God. Have the kids in your class that have been to IMPACT share what they have learned and how they have used their talents for the Lord.

Unit: Love and Obey God

Session Title: God’s Plan for David

Life Point: God has a plan for each person.

Unit Verse: “I call on you, God, because you will answer me.” Psalm 17:6

Weekly Bible Verse: “I call on you, God, because you will answer me.” Psalm 17:6

Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 16

Extras from LifeWay (GREAT Ideas Here): Click here

* * *

Craft: Crown
Make a crown and then you can act out the story or crown each of your children to be king or queen like David was anointed to be king.
Crown PDF

Game: Guess What You Hear?
In this game students will guess what is making the sound they hear. This game will reinforce the idea that God hears when we pray to him. Instructions are on the website below
Click here for more info

Game: Telephone
Have the children sit in a circle, or around the table. Start with one child and whisper one of the phrases shown below into his or her ear. Have that child whisper the same phrase into the ear of the child to his or her left, and continue around the circle until the last child is told the phrase. Then have the last child say what he or she heard out loud to see how close it was to the original phrase.

Phrases:
God will always hear our prayers
It makes Jesus very happy when we pray
If we ask anything in Jesus’ name, He will do it
We can pray anytime morning, noon, or night

Compare this game to how when we pray, God hears exactly what we mean to say, even when we don’t say it exactly the way we want.
Click here for more info

Food: Sheep Cupcakes
This site shows how to make really cute sheep cupcakes. * Don’t forget to post an allergy alert. **Note it is from a catholic website**
Click here for more info

Craft: Paper Plate Sheep
Kids make sheep out of paper plates, cotton balls and clothes pins. The picture below should show you pretty well how to make this craft. This would be best for younger grades.
Click here for more info

Craft: Make a Harp
Website below shows how to make a harp like David would play! Easy craft to put together with template on the website.
Click here for more info

Craft: Candy Cane Staff
I don’t know if you will be able to find candy canes this time of year, but if you can this a really cute craft! We should have twine in the resource room but I am not sure how much.
Click here for more info

Food: Cheerio Sheep
Fun little sheep to make for the kids to eat. * Don’t forget to post an allergy alert.
Click here for more info