Unit: Jesus, the Savior

Session Titles: The Ascension

Life Point: Jesus will return to earth some day.

Life Verse: “We have seen and we testify that the Father has sent His Son as the world’s Savior.” 1 John 4:14

Weekly Bible Verses: “This Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen Him going into heaven.” Acts 1:11b

Bible Passage: Acts 1:4-11

Extras from LifeWay (GREAT Ideas Here): Click here

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Craft: Jesus Ascension Window Craft
The website has all the instructions for this craft. This craft is more suited for 1st-3rd grade.
Click here for more info

Craft: Jesus Ascension Windsock
A fun and easy craft that kids will love to make. We have streamers in the resource room or you could use something different on the bottom.
Click here for more info
Ascension-Windsock-PDF

Game: Back and Forth Ascension Game
This is a fun game but needs to be done with children in 2nd grade and up. There is a little mess that could happen with this game : ) but if contained would be fun for the kids.
Click here for more info

Science Experiment: Ascension
A fun experiment to do with kids about Ascension and what it means. Any age kids can do this.
Click here for more info

Unit: Jesus, the Savior

Session Title: Jesus Met Two Disciples

Life Point: People can know that Jesus is alive!

Life Verse: “We have seen and we testify that the Father has sent His Son as the world’s Savior.” 1 John 4:14

Weekly Bible Verses: “The Lord has certainly been raised, and has appeared to Simon!” Luke 24:34b

Bible Passage: Luke 24:13-35

Extras from LifeWay (GREAT Ideas Here): Click here

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Game: Road to Emmaus Game (Older Kids)
All the instructions are on the pdf. Great review game for the older children.
Click here for more info
Road to Emmaus Game PDF

Craft: Walking with Jesus (Younger Children)
The disciples in the story walked with Jesus in person, but Christians hold that whoever believes in Jesus still walks with Him in their heart. Explain to children that believers can know for sure that Jesus’ resurrection was for real because the Bible says many people saw him alive before he returned to heaven. Trace your children’s feet to make a take-home reminder to follow in his footsteps. Preprint labels that read “Jesus has really risen! Luke 24:34” and stick one to each foot or write the caption on each paper. Let the children color a road around the feet.

Read more: Crafts for Preschoolers on the “Road to Emmaus” | eHow.com
Click here for more info

Snack: Graham Cracker Road
Explain to children that the roads in Jesus’ time were dirty and dusty, unlike the paved roads of today. Make an old-style road by spreading frosting or peanut butter on a whole graham crack-er. Sprinkle crushed cookie crumbs over the top as the dust. Place three gummy bears on the road to represent the two disciples and Jesus.

Read more: Crafts for Preschoolers on the “Road to Emmaus” | eHow.com
Click here for more info

Unit: Jesus, the Savior

Session Titles: The Triumphal Entry / Jesus Crucifixion and Resurrection

Life Points: People should praise Jesus because He is the Savior! / Jesus died and was resurrected.

Life Verse: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God!” Matthew 16:16

Weekly Bible Verses: “Then those who went ahead and those who followed kept shouting: “Hosanna! He who comes in the name of the Lord is the blessed One!” Mark 11:9 / “We have heard for ourselves and know that this really is the Savior of the world.” John 4:42b

Bible Passages: Matthew 21:1-11 / Matthew 26:26-28:10

Extras from LifeWay (GREAT Ideas Here): Click here

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Craft: Song and Palm Branch Collage
Have children make palm branches out of different colors of green and brown paper. You could bring in scrapbook paper in these colors as well. Then they would write out the song that is in the picture and color green and brown behind it to represent the ground of the road.
Click here for more info

Craft: “Palm” Branch
Have children trace their hands about 8-10 times on green construction paper and then cut out. Then they will glue them to a long thin piece of construction paper representing the branch.
Click here for more info

Craft: Palm Branch Craft (for older children)
If you watch the video they will teach you had to make a cross from a palm branch.
Click here to watch the video

Craft: Palm Branch and Clothing Road (for younger children)
You will create the road and then add clothes to it like the people threw down in scripture and then add palm branches to it. The website does a very good job of explaining how to do this craft.
Click here for more info

Game: Palm Branch Pass
The pdf attached has all the instructions.
Source: The Big Book of Bible Crafts #2
Palm Branch Pass PDF

Game: Palm Branch Pick Up
The pdf attached has all the instructions.
Source: The Big Book of Bible Crafts #2
Palm Branch Pick Up PDF

Craft: Calvary Hill Paper Plate Craft
The website has all the instructions for how to make this great craft to show the crosses on Calvary Hill. (This craft does come from a Catholic website.)
Click here for more info

Craft: Tie Dye Easter Crosses
A fun and easy craft that kids in any grade will love. We have dot paint in the Preschool and Children’s Resource Rooms if you are looking for it. : )
Click here for more info

Craft: Nail Cross (Older Kids)
The site shows a more extensive project but you could simplify it by just making the cross of nails. You will want to be very careful with the sharp nails and wire. I think it would be some-thing the older kids would love and help remind them of what Jesus did for us on the cross.
Click here for more info

Craft: Crown of Thorns Bracelet
Materials
Craft wire, scissors, brown cord

Instructions
1.    Cut three pieces of craft wire to measure about 6-inches long each.
2.    Hold the three pieces of wire together. Wrap one end of one piece of wire around the other three to hold them together.
3.    Braid the three strands of wire together loosely until you have reached a spot about two inches from their ends.
4.    Wrap the end of one piece of wire around the other two to hold the braid together. Cut the ends of the wire off.
5.    Cut five pieces of brown cord to each measure two inches long. Tie the pieces onto the bracelet evenly spaced around. These will be the thorns of the crown. Use scissors to cut the ends of the knots so the cord looks like thorns.
6.    Tightly wrap brown cord over the ends of the bracelet to cover the ends of the wire. Tie the cord to secure it in place.
Click here for more info

Craft: Easter Story Wreath
The site has all the pieces for printing and instructions to make this wreath. This would be something good to make this week and then can talk about it with their families on Easter the next Sunday.
Click here for more info

Activity: Easter Story Trivia Game
This pdf has everything you need to play this game including the questions and answers. I would play this with older kids as some of the questions are kind of hard but they do give the scripture reference if you wanted the kids to look up the answer in their Bibles as well.
Click here for more info

Craft: Jesus is Alive Tape Painting
Have children make a cross using two pieces of masking tape or painters tape (something that is not too sticky). Students will paint the background with a color or pattern and write “Jesus is Alive” around the cross. Once paint is dry, remove tape to make a cross on your paper.
Note: you will want to use thicker paper if you are going to paint.
Click here for more info

Game: Road to Emmaus Game (Older Kids)
All the instructions are on the pdf. Great review game for the older children.
Click here for more info
Road to Emmaus Game PDF

Craft: Walking with Jesus (Younger Children)
The disciples in the story walked with Jesus in person, but Christians know that whoever believes in Jesus still walks with him in their heart. Explain to children that believers can know for sure that Jesus’ resurrection was for real because the Bible says many people saw him alive be-fore he returned to heaven. Trace your children’s feet to make a take-home reminder to follow in his footsteps. Pre-print labels that read “Jesus has really risen! Luke 24:34” and stick one to each foot or write the caption on each paper. Let the children color a road around the feet.
Read more: Crafts for Preschoolers on the “Road to Emmaus” | eHow.com
Click here for more info

Snack: Graham Cracker Road
Explain to children that the roads in Jesus’ time were dirty and dusty, unlike the paved roads of today. Make an old-style road by spreading frosting or peanut butter on a whole graham crack-er. Sprinkle crushed cookie crumbs over the top as the dust. Place three gummy bears on the road to represent the two disciples and Jesus.
Read more: Crafts for Preschoolers on the “Road to Emmaus” | eHow.com
Click here for more info

Craft: Eye Seeing Chart
Let children make a Seeing Eye Chart, similar to one in an eye doctor’s office. The letters on the first line will be BIG, the letters on the second line will be a little smaller, the letters on the 3rd line will be a little smaller, etc. The TITLE can be “SEEING JESUS,” etc.   The words can be on the chalk board for the children to copy, such as JESUS HELPS US TO SEE AND UNDERSTAND OUR LIVES, or JESUS HELPS ME UNDERSTAND MORE CLEARLY WHEN I AM CONFUSED, or JESUS HELPS ME SEE THAT HE LOVES ME AND THERE IS NOTHING TO FEAR!  ****For younger children, the teacher can have the letters lightly drawn for the children to trace over the above words on their eye charts!
Click here for more info

Unit: Jesus, the Savior

Session Titles: Jesus Raised Lazarus

Life Point: People put their faith in Jesus and trust Him.

Life Verse: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!” Matthew 16:16

Weekly Bible Verses: “We have seen and we testify that the Father has sent His Son as the world’s Savior.” 1 John 4:14

Bible Passage: John 11:1-44

Extras from LifeWay (GREAT Ideas Here): Click here

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Game: Tissue Paper Game
A race to see who can wrap up a friend first. All that is needed is a couple rolls of toilet paper!

Object Lesson: Lazarus Science Lesson
The website below has all the instructions for this science experiment.
Click here for more info

Craft: Lazarus Mask
You can print this mask and use it or you could do the other craft listed on the website and make it into a mask. Use it when telling the Bible story.
Click here OR here for more info

Game: “Lazarus Come Out!” Cup Game
This is a fun and easy game to play with the kids. You will need to scroll down to get to the instructions for the game.
Click here for more info

Unit: Jesus, the Savior

Session Title: The Transfiguration

Life Point: People can know that Jesus is God’s Son.

Life Verse: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God!” Matthew 16:16

Weekly Bible Verses: “A voice came from heaven: You are My beloved Son. I take delight in You!” Luke 3:22b

Bible Passage: Matthew 17:1-9

Extras from LifeWay (GREAT Ideas Here): Click here

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Object Lesson: Now You See It
A fun activity for you to use when telling this story. All the instructions are on the website.
Click here for more info

Craft: Transfiguration
No instructions for this craft but a picture that you should give you enough direction to do the craft.
Click here for more info

Game: Transforming Drawing Game (aka Exquisite Corpse)
This game is a lot of fun for kids. It shows how something can transform from one thing to an-other. Note: the website has some interesting drawings on it… but it also has great instructions for playing the game.
Click here for more info

Books of the Bible Activity
A new cool activity to add to your class room to help the kids learn the books of the Bible.
Click here for more info

Unit: More Like Jesus

Session Title: Jesus Fed Five Thousand

Life Point: People can know that Jesus stills performs miracles.

Life Verse: “Who is the one who conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” 1 John 5:5

Weekly Bible Verses: “Therefore, as we have opportunity, we must work for the good of all.” Galatians 6:10b

Bible Passage: John 6:1-15

Extras from LifeWay (GREAT Ideas Here): Click here

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Object Lesson: Basket of Food
Get a deep basket and fill it with Goldfish and croutons. Then take a napkin and cover the food up completely so you cannot tell there is any food under the napkin (although these are pretty smart kids so they will probably know better lol). Then on top of the napkin put 5 croutons and 2 goldfish. Use this as a visual to tell the story. And then eat as a snack. (Put up an allergy notice!)
Click here for more info

Craft: Five Loaves and Two Fish
The website below explains how to do this cute craft. There is quite a bit of prep work.
Click here for more info

Game: 1 Fish 2 Fish
This is just a quick fun game to get some of the wiggles out of the kids…
▪ Have the children all line up and take the Fish Bag and some tape and tape a fish on the back of each child. Make sure they don’t see the name of the color on their back (there will be some more complicated names)
▪ The game is that they have to go to other children and say “1 Fish, 2 Fish, Am I A (name of a color) Fish?”
▪ When they get the answer right they can take the fish off their back and put it in the garbage. Then they just stay in the game to help the other kids guess their fish.
Click here for more info

Activity: Creative Drawing
YOU’LL NEED: paper • pencils

Give each child a piece of paper and a pencil. Say: Draw something ordinary on your paper that you use every day—such as a spoon, a pencil, or a toothbrush. Encourage kids to draw something different from what others are drawing. Allow about a minute, and then have kids trade papers with people around them.

Say: You have a drawing of something ordinary. Now think of two or more ways you can use that item in a way that’s different from what it’s normally used for. For example, a spoon could help build a sand castle. A toothbrush can scratch your back. Allow about two to three minutes, encouraging kids to think creatively. There are no wrong answers.

Once everyone has finished, have kids trade their papers back and share their ideas with each other.
Discuss the following:
▪ What are some reasons Jesus might work with ordinary people and things when he does miracles?
▪ What’s one ordinary thing about you that God could use in big ways?
Say: God used an ordinary boy and his ordinary lunch to feed 5,000 people. God can use you and your ordinary things to do something amazing, too! We trust God to provide, and sometimes he might even provide for others in marvelous ways through us.
Click here for more info

Books of the Bible Activity
A new cool activity to add to your class room to help the kids learn the books of the Bible.
Click here for more info

Unit: More Like Jesus

Session Titles: Jesus Calmed the Storm

Life Point: Trust God all the time, even when it is hard.

Life Verse: “Who is the one who conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” 1 John 5:5

Weekly Bible Verses: “Our fathers trusted in You; they trusted, and You rescued them.” Psalm 22:4

Bible Passage: Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25

Extras from LifeWay (GREAT Ideas Here): Click here

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Craft: Ocean in a Bottle
The site below has the instructions on how to make this bottle specifically. (It is the 3rd craft on the page) Here are quick instructions: Fill bottle about 1/2 full of water, add blue (just a few drops) of food coloring, shake to turn water blue, fill the rest of the way with cooking oil. Seal and glue lid! You may also want to add shells, fish, glitter, etc. before sealing!
Click here for more info

Craft: Paper Plate Boat
All the instructions and material needs are on the site below.
Click here for more info

Snack: Cheese and Apple Boats
Using cheese slices, apples and toothpicks or pretzels to make boats. Fun snack for the kids. Remember your allergy alert!!
Click here for more info

Game: “Quiet Be Still” Run
Let the children all run and shout and sing until the whistle blows and the teacher will say QUIET BE STILL! Everyone “freezes” until the whistle blows again and then children can resume their singing or shouting until another whistle blows when children will once again “freeze” and the teacher will shout out QUIET BE STILL. Continue to play several times so children can hear a part of the Bible story and memory verse today.
Click here for more info

Group Activity: Five Boats of Peace
The teacher can have 5 outlines of boats on a poster board. Title the poster board — 5 boats of PEACE. Let children work/discuss together about a word for each letter of the word PEACE, to show what Jesus does or what we can do when we go through a storm.
Click here for more info

Craft: Be Still and Know I Am God Picture
I don’t have instructions for this but thought this was so cute. They basically used cut or ripped paper to make a scene with the ocean and the boat and then wrote the scripture, “Be Still and Know I am God” on it. You could do this on paper or, if you want to go above and beyond, you could get little canvases (you can find these at Hobby Lobby or Michaels for a pretty good price). I would do this with 3rd grade and up.
Click here for more info

Unit: More Like Jesus

Session Titles: Jesus Called the Disciples

Life Point: People should serve Jesus every day.

Life Verse: “Who is the one who conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” 1 John 5:5

Weekly Bible Verses: “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” John 15:14

Bible Passage: Matthew 4:18-22; 9:9-13; Mark 1:16-20; 2:13-14; 3:13-19

Extras from LifeWay (GREAT Ideas Here): Click here

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Craft: Scripture Valentine Wreath
The instructions are on the website for this great Valentine’s Day decoration. Please note this comes from a catholic website.
Click here for more info

Craft: God’s Conversation Hearts
This is something you could make to give your kids or they could make to give to someone else.
Click here for more info

Craft: John 3:16 Valentine
A cute craft using John 3:16 to make a valentine. Note this is coming from a catholic website.
Click here for more info

Craft: Valentine’s Message
This could be done as something you give to your students from your teaching team or they could make this in class to give to someone else. The template is attached below, all you have to do is get the candy. You will need to fill in the blanks with the following:
1st blank: Fun Size Snickers
2nd blank: Fun Size 100 Grand
3rd blank: Fun Size Milky Way
4th blank: Smarties
5th blank: Hershey Hug and Hershey Kiss
Source: Parenting Magazine by David C. Cook
Valentine Message PDF

Activity: Fishers of Men
This website below had a lot of good ideas for Fishers of Men activities. Including some games and a craft.
Click here for more info

Snack: Fishers of Men Fishing Poles
Cute, cute snack idea! Takes some preparation. Also put an allergy sign out if you serve this.
Click here for more info

Unit: More Like Jesus

Session Titles: Jesus Was Tempted

Life Point: People are responsible for the choices that they make.

Life Verse: “As the One who is called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct.” 1 Peter 1:15

Weekly Bible Verses: “Even a young man is known by his actions – if his behavior is pure and upright.” Proverbs 20:11

Bible Passage: Matthew 4:1-11

Extras from LifeWay (GREAT Ideas Here): Click here

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Object Lesson: Temptation
Dixie and I have done this in our class before and it seems to really make the students think about temptation. Bring in cookies, candy or any food item the students would be tempted to want to take. Set it on the table at the beginning of class and put a Do Not Touch sign by it. Stu-dents will ask about it and you just tell them they can’t touch it. You can even play with them a little bit and find a reason to leave the room (don’t leave the children alone though) and see if any of them touch the food item. Talk to them at the end of the lesson about if they were tempted or if it drove them crazy that they could not touch the item.

Craft: Hide the Word in the Your Heart
Cool craft focusing on how we can hide God’s Word in our hearts to fight temptation when it comes our way.
Click here for more info

Science Experiment: Temptation
A cool activity to do with kids to show them how sin effects our lives. The website below out-lines all the instructions as well as the biblical truth behind the science experiment. This does involve a lighter so please be careful if you do with your class.
Click here for more info

Craft: Follow in Jesus’s Footsteps (same as last week)
Easy craft to make and would make a great wall art for your classroom. Print off a footprint outline (you can search Google for one). Then have each kid decorate it and write one way they can do something Jesus did. Talk about how Jesus showed us examples of how to live a Godly life such as resisting temptation.
Click here for more info

Unit: More Like Jesus

Session Titles: John the Baptist and Jesus’ Baptism

Life Point: People can do things that honor and please God.

Life Verse: “As the One who is called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct.” 1 Peter 1:15

Weekly Bible Verses: “Do what is right and good in the Lord’s sight.” Deuteronomy 6:18a

Bible Passage: Luke 1:1-25, 57-80; 3:1-22; John 1:19-37; Matthew 3:13-17

Extras from LifeWay (GREAT Ideas Here): Click here

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Craft: Coffee Filter Dove
Easy craft to make doves out of coffee filters. Instructions and template on the site below.
Click here for more info

Illustration: Coin Cleanse
This is a great easy illustration for baptism. I recommend this for 2nd grade and older.
Click here for more info

Object Lesson: Baptism
Another great object lesson to teach children about the importance of baptism. The site below will has a video that will walk you through all the steps of this object lesson. You do not have to follow her dialogue word for word but she gives you a good idea of what to say.
Click here for more info

Craft: Follow in Jesus’s Footsteps
Easy craft to make and would make a great wall art for your classroom. Print off a footprint outline. (You can find a template on Google) and then each child can decorate a footprint and write one way they can do something Jesus did. Talk about how Jesus showed us examples of how to live a Godly life by following Him in baptism.
Click here for more info