Unit 2: Lesson 5 MIRACLE IN CANA

1) Welcome Activity:

2) Songs: Start the Story Hour with the learning our names song. Go around the circle or table and introduce each child.

3) Prayer...

4) Theme: Remind the children of the theme of the unit: God sends his greatest gift, Jesus Christ our Saviour. John 1:14 “we beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father”
Tell them that they are going to hear a Bible Story again today that shows the glory of God through Jesus’ first miracle. Miracles are amazing acts of God – things that ordinarily never happen. Jesus used miracles to show the people the glory of God.

5) Bible Story: Today’s Story is about A Miracle in Cana based on John 2:1-11. Read pages 284-287 (R 289-292) from the Read and Learn Bible (Scholastic).


6) Text: Today’s Text is: “He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.”
John 2:11b


7) Craft:

• Water to Wine Painting… draw a large jug or glass with black marker on a white paper. Draw a line in the glass/jug about ¾ of the way full. Ask the children: what does it look like this jug is full of? Water? Show them a jug of real water. What does it look like? Add red/grape juice powder. Explain that we need to add something to turn water into juice. Jesus turned water into wine with just a word. Have them brush/sponge paint the inside of the jug red/purple to show the wine.



• Water Bottles… show the children the bottle full of water. How do we turn water into juice? Add Kool-aid singles to each child’s water bottle. Explain that we need to add something to turn water into juice. Jesus turned water into wine with just a word.
  

8) Closing Prayer... say the Lord's prayer together with the children

9) Going Home: Sing the closing together. Then, check to see if all the children have collected their crafts and coloring sheets before they go home. Say goodbye and tell them that you enjoyed learning about God together and were happy to have them today! You were, weren’t you?

10) Optional Coloring Pages:

Unit 2: Lesson 4 THE DISCIPLES

1) Welcome Activity:

2) Songs: Start the Story Hour with the learning our names song. Go around the circle or table and introduce each child.

3) Prayer....


4) Theme: Remind the children of the theme of the unit: God sends his greatest gift, Jesus Christ our Saviour. John 1:14 “we beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father”
Tell them that they are going to hear a Bible Story again today that shows the glory of God in speading the good news of the gospel. Jesus called 12 men to be witnesses to all the works and miracle he did. He taught them about the way of salvation!


5) Bible Story: Today’s Story is about the Calling of the Disciples, the "Twelve Men". Read pages 280-283 (R285-288) from the Read and Learn Bible (Scholastic).


6) Text: Today’s Text is: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19


7) Craft:

• I will make you Fishers of Men, if you Follow Me
  You'll need:Colored Poster Board,One Egg Carton for each Child,Fish Crackers,Gummy Worms,Stapler,Crayons,Glue,Scissors
  Directions:Give each child an egg carton. Glue a piece of colorful poster board to the top of the egg carton and print the title and text on it to make it more colorful. Fill the carton with the fish crackers. You can also try a piece of yarn to the end of a popsicle stick and tie a gummy worm to the other end to make a “fishing pole”. So fun for the children to play with now, while they sing the song, and when they get home!


• Fishing- copy the boat picture (one for each child) and cut along the waves with an exacto knife before the class. Glue the whole sheet of paper onto a sheet of paper with a bead of glue along the outside edge. Then, give to the children to color. Cut out little fish from fancy/colorful heavy-stock paper and punch a hole at one end of each fish. Tie a string on each fish and make a loop on the other end. Give each child a popsicle stick for a fishing rod. They can “catch” the fish from the water by looping them around the popsicle stick and pulling them from behind the waves!


• I caught a Fish! Print out a large picture of a fish and allow the children to color them (or if you have time, paint with bright colors). Cut out the fish. Punch a hole in one end and tie a string on it (you may want to reinforce with a piece of masking tape at the back first) and tie the other end of string to a disposable chopstick for a fishing rod.
  
• The 12 Disciples – to the tune of "Jesus Loves Me"

Jesus called them one by one, Peter, Andrew, James and John,

Next, came Philip, Thomas too, Matthew and Bartholomew.

Chorus-Yes, Jesus called them,Yes, Jesus called them,

Yes, Jesus called them,He called them one by one.

James the one they called the less, Simon, also Thaddeus,

Twelfth apostle Judas made, Jesus was by him betrayed.

(Repeat Chorus. )
Matthias then took Judas' place, To preach to men of every race,

Paul three preaching trips did make, And went to Rome for Jesus' sake.

8) Closing Prayer... say the Lord's prayer together with the children

9) Going Home: Sing the closing together. Then, check to see if all the children have collected their crafts and coloring sheets before they go home. Say goodbye and tell them that you enjoyed learning about God together and were happy to have them today! You were, weren’t you?

10) Optional Coloring Pages:

Unit 2: Lesson 3 JOHN THE BAPTIST

1) Welcome Activity:

2) Songs: Start the Story Hour with the learning our names song. Go around the circle or table and introduce each child.

3) Prayer... pray that the Lord would prepare our hearts to recieve his word.

4) Theme: Remind the children of the theme of the unit: God sends his greatest gift, Jesus Christ our Saviour. John 1:14 “we beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father”
Tell them that they are going to hear a Bible Story again today that shows the glory of God in preparing the way for his Son. God sent John to preach repentance and to baptize. Before Jesus began his earthly ministry, he too was baptized by John.


5) Bible Story: Today’s Story is about "Jesus and John the Baptist" . Read pages 273-278 (R278-284) from the Read and Learn Bible (Scholastic).



6) Text: Today’s Text is:
“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I…He will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” Matthew 3: 11



7) Craft:

• Dove Craft… Have children glue white (or colored) feathers to the large picture of the dove. Bulk packages of feathers are available cheaply at dollar stores and craft stores. Children enjoy this craft, though it is very simple, because it is so tactile. You could color the beak yellow or orange and glue on a googly eye to provide a bit more challenge for older children. Here is a nice dove: http://www.first-school.ws/activities/alpha/d/dove.htm
  
• See Lesson #17 (Ascension) for other dove crafts.
  
• Tactile picture… choose one of the pictures of John baptizing Jesus and use your imagination to provide the children with tactile things to glue on the picture. Example: small feathers on dove, scrap of fake fur for John’s coat, squares or waves of blue cellophane for water, yarn for hair and cotton balls for clouds. You may want to trim the picture and glue it to a sheet of construction paper when you are done to provide some stability.

8) Closing Prayer... say the Lord's Prayer together with the children

9) Going Home: Sing the closing together. Then, check to see if all the children have collected their crafts and coloring sheets before they go home. Say goodbye and tell them that you enjoyed learning about God together and were happy to have them today! You were, weren’t you?

10) Optional Coloring Pages:

http://www.coloring.ws/t.asp?b=m&t=http://www.coloring.ws/bible/jesus/baptism.gif

Unit 2: Lesson 2 JESUS AS A CHILD

1) Welcome Activity:

• Activity: Pretend to be a seed. What does a seed need to grow into a flower?
  Add sunshine, water and good soil. Pretend to grow up nice and strong. Now let’s talk about you and me… what do we need to grow strong in the Lord? Add moms and dads, lots of love and hugs, reading the bible, praying to God, singing songs to God, going to church, and the Holy Spirit in our hearts. What else can you think of?
• Flannel board... set out as many pictures of children as you can find. Ask the children: what do children need to grow?
• Toys... set out figures of children. Same thing
• Puppets... set out puppets of children. Same thing.

2) Songs: Start the Story Hour with the learning our names song. Go around the circle or table and introduce each child.

3) Prayer... ask God to help the little children grow in the Lord - taller and wiser!

4) Theme: Remind the children of the theme of the unit: God sends his greatest gift, Jesus Christ our Saviour. John 1:14 “we beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father”
Tell them that they are going to hear a Bible Story again today that shows the glory of God revealed to Simeon and Anna when they see the baby Jesus in the temple in Jerusalem. Also, we see how Jesus amazed the teachers at the temple when he was still a young boy.

5) Bible Story: Today’s Story is "Jesus is Blessed" and "Young Jesus in the Temple". Read pages 258-260 (R263-265) and 268-272 (R273-277) from the Read and Learn Bible (Scholastic).


6) Text: Today’s Text is: “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men.” Luke 2:52

7) Craft:

• Muffin Flower Craft… have children decorate two muffin cup liners with crayons or markers. Cut one to make petals. Glue the flowers at the ends of the stems in the flower pot (solid first, then “petals” on top) and put a colorful sticker in the center of the flower. Children can make as many or as few as they like.



• Paint Flower Craft… see template with pot and stems with centers. Give children sponges cut into the shape of petals and held with a clothes pin. Provide bright flower colors for dipping paint. Allow children to sponge-paint the petals onto the flowers in the pot.



• Cut out Flower Craft… see template with pot and stems only. Provide children with flower petals and leaves cut out of colorful paper and allow them to glue the parts together to make three beautiful flowers.



• Grow a Plant… this idea can be combined with another craft as it does not take much time. Write each child’s name on a ziplock bag with a permanent marker. Wet two paper towels and fold them so that they fit in the bag. Kids love to help do this with a spray bottle on a plastic tray. Tuck 2-4 bean seeds in the paper towels. Put the towels and seeds in the plastic bag and seal almost all the way. Use masking tape to hang on a sunny window. You will see the plant begin to grow inside the bag and then out the opening. If you can get permission, hang these growing plants on a sunny window at church and plant them in Styrofoam cups after they are well spouted. If sending home, make sure to include instructions for the parents.

8) Closing Prayer... say the Lord's Prayer together with the children

9) Going Home: Sing the closing together. Then, check to see if all the children have collected their crafts and coloring sheets before they go home. Say goodbye and tell them that you enjoyed learning about God together and were happy to have them today! You were, weren’t you?

10) Optional Coloring Pages:

Unit 2: Lesson 1 JESUS IS BORN

1) Welcome Activity:


2) Songs: Start the Story Hour with the learning our names song. Go around the circle or table and introduce each child.

Bethlehem Lullaby (To the tune of Brahms Lullaby.)

Long ago, there was born in the city of David,
A sweet, holy babe, who was Jesus our King,
Angels sang at his birth, "Peace on earth, peace on earth"
Angels sang at his birth, "Peace on earth, peace on earth."

3) Prayer... Thank God for sending his Son to be our Saviour!


4) Theme: Remind the children of the theme of the unit: God sends his greatest gift, Jesus Christ our Saviour. John 1:14 “we beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father”
Tell them that they are going to hear a Bible Story again today that shows the glory of God through the birth of his son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.


5) Bible Story: Today’s Story is about the birth of Jesus. Read page 251-253 from the Read and Learn Bible (Scholastic).


6) Text: Today’s Text is: “He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High.” Luke 1:32a


7) Craft:

• Toilet Paper Angel… cut out wings and heads before class. If using brown toilet paper rolls, cut out squares of white paper to cover or paint with white craft paint before the lesson. Have the children glue on the paper, wings and head. Twist a white/yellow pipe cleaner to make a halo. Children can decorate by gluing on glitter, sparkle stickers or feathers.

http://www.dltk-bible.com/t.asp?b=m&t=http://www.dltk-bible.com/bangel.gif


• Shapes Angel Craft: before class, cut out a large triangle for the body, and a circle for the head. Use white paper doilies for the wings Have the children assemble the pieces to form an angel and glue onto a sheet of construction paper. Add google eyes and draw on a mouth. Write on the bottom of the sheet: “The angel said…” and then glue on the text.

http://www.dltk-holidays.com/xmas/mshapesangel.htm


• Clay Pot Angel
  You'll need:miniature clay pot,large wooden bead,paint,wide ribbon,yarn or doll hair
  Directions:Turn pot upside down and glue wooden bead on top for angel's head. Paint a face on the head. Tie ribbon into large bow. Glue on back of pot for wings. Glue yarn or doll hair (can be purchased from craft stores) on top of head. Decorate with whatever you like, buttons down the front, ric-rac around the bottom of pot, paint, sequins, whatever! Let the kids be creative and have fun!



• Hand-y Angel
  You'll need:1 white and 1 yellow sheet of construction paper,crayons,scissors,glue and any color yarn Directions:Make an angel pattern to trace on white constrution paper. Have children trace each hand on yellow construction paper. Cut all of these out. Draw face on angel. Glue hands to back for angel wings. place yarn on back to allow angel to be hung up.
  

8) Closing Prayer... say the Lord's Prayer together with the children

9) Going Home: Sing the closing together. Then, check to see if all the children have collected their crafts and coloring sheets before they go home. Say goodbye and tell them that you enjoyed learning about God together and were happy to have them today! You were, weren’t you?

10) Optional Coloring Pages

the angels announce: http://www.first-school.ws/t/cp_bible/angelshepherds_luke2.htm

the journey to Bethlehem: http://www.first-school.ws/t/cp_bible/tripbeth_luke2.htm

worshipping the new-born King: http://www.first-school.ws/t/cp_bible/1stxmas_luke2.htm

Here is a 25 page coloring book that the children can use to "count down" till Christmas day. This is useful if your lesson falls late in the calendar year. http://www.dltk-bible.com/advent/index.htm