Babies \u00a0 (Their Bible story is \u201cGod Cared for Elijah,\u201d 1 Kings 17:1-16.)<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nSo much goes on in the first year of life. Babies are growing at such a fast rate; they will actually double their birth weight in their first year. They are becoming more aware of their world and of those who care for them. Therefore, you are important to each child you teach. As you interact with babies as they play with toys, tell them that God takes care of them. Say to them often: \u201cMommy and Daddy love you. God loves you and helps you grow.\u201d The babies will understand your care and love in the way you provide for them. One day they will understand that God loves and cares for them, too.<\/p>\n
\n1s \u2013 Thanking God<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nYoung ones can learn to thank God for many things. These short thank-you statements to God are their first prayers. We begin to pray by praising God for what He does for us. Teach ones to say thank you to God for what He does for them. Let the children hear you say, \u201cThank You, God, for hearing our prayers.\u201d Today\u2019s story is about Elijah praying for rain. Briefly talk about the Bible story. Then add, \u201cGod hears us when we pray, too.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n2s \u2013 Praying with Twos<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nTwos can learn that God wants people to talk (pray) to Him. Play the music CD this week as children arrive. Track 3 is a song about talking to God. Teach twos to pray or talk to God. Give them examples to say such as: \u201cThank You, God, for friends at church. We hear that we can talk to God anytime and anywhere.\u201d As you tell twos the story say: \u201cElijah asked God to send rain. God heard Elijah and He sent rain.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n3s \u2013 Pre-K \u2013 Praying to God<\/strong> <\/em><\/span>
\nPrint each of the following statements on individual index cards: Pray for Mom and Dad; Pray for family; Pray for friends; Pray for my teachers; Pray for church friends; Pray for neighbors<\/em>. Place the cards in a small open box. When you finish telling the Bible story, say: \u201cWe can talk to God anytime and anywhere. Now, let\u2019s thank God for people who are special to us.\u201d Ask each child to pick a card and pray for what is written on it. (You might whisper the words on the card to the child and let him repeat it as if reading.) Consider adding other prayer cards to the box. Enjoy teaching the boys and girls about talking to God.<\/p>\n
\nKindergarten \u2013 Playing a Word Match\/Story Recall Game<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nLocate 14 index cards. Prepare two sets of cards with these words on individual cards: rain, Elijah, King Ahab, 7, pray, cloud, <\/em>and mountain.<\/em> After you have told the Bible story, place the cards facedown on the floor. Ask the children to find words that are the same. As they find each matching word, ask them to tell you how the word was used in the story. The kindergarteners may want to play the game more than once. Say to the children: \u201cI thank God for hearing my prayers. Do you talk to God when you pray? God always hears us and wants us to talk to Him anytime and anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Bible Story: \u201cElijah Prayed\u201d Scripture: 1 Kings 18:1-2, 41-46; James 5:17-18 Babies \u00a0 (Their Bible story is \u201cGod Cared for Elijah,\u201d 1 Kings 17:1-16.) So much goes on in the first year of life. Babies are growing at such a fast rate; they will actually double their birth weight in their first year. They are…","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n