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A Free Gift (What it means to become a Christian)

Teacher's Guide - this is just one possible lesson plan.  Visit the A Free Gift Bible lesson plan for further ideas to supplement this.

Introduction:

This next lesson is the reason we do what we do.  Teaching children every week about Jesus life and how to live to please Him is important, but none of it matters without Christ in their hearts.  Learning to have faith in God early is the greatest gift you can teach. "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." Mark 16:16  

The message:  

Preschool thru Grade 1: God has a free gift for you today! 

Grades 2 and 3: Accept God's free gift and become a Christian today! 

I've split this message into two separate ones depending on the age level.  For the younger children, the message is simple: God has a free gift for you today.  For the older children, we expand on this message and say:  Accept God's free gift and become a Christian today.

Make sure you repeat the message many times during the lesson.  Send the A Free Gift Take Home Sheet  home with the children to encourage parents to reiterate the message during the week.  It includes a poster at the bottom that the children can color and hang on their wall or refrigerator. 

Preview of the lesson:

Some people like to do craft time first and story time second and some like to switch it around.  I like the first option, myself.

Always consider offering Coloring Pages for children who aren't interested in participating in the group activity (or if you get done the group activities very quickly and need something to fill in the spare time).  Everyone has a need for "alone time" once in awhile.  Also, sending home the coloring pages with the Take Home sheet provides parents with much needed help in reinforcing the lessons.  You can make a nice little booklet each week with the take home sheet on top -- I promise that most parents will appreciate the effort! 

Description

Time Allotted

Supplies
Welcome!  

Receive name tags.  Have the children use crayons, markers, yarn, feathers and whatever other materials (such as sparkle glue) that you have available to personalize their name tag.

Sing the Learning our Names song 

 10 to 15 minutes Gift name tags, scissors (or adults can precut),  crayons, markers, yarn, safety pins or tape.

Craft time!

Preschool thru Grade 1: Make the Gift bingo dauber craft. Write Ephesians 2:8,9 on the top of the craft page to tie in the lesson or "God's gift is the greatest gift we could ever receive".  Or the Heart bingo dauber craft (which includes the verse John 3:16).

Grade 2 and 3:  Make Free Gift craft. Add a stuffed heart to the inside of this craft if they've asked Jesus into their life.  While making the craft discuss how God's gift to us is very special, special like a treasure we want to take care of and use carefully.  Being a Christian is something that is priceless and very valuable.  Talk about what comes with being a Christian (God's spirit lives inside us, eternal life in Heaven, and a family of believers).

15 to 30 minutes 
depending on your
adult/child ratio		 Preschool thru Grade 1:   Gift bingo dauber template.  printer, paper, and use bingo daubers, stickers or pom poms to fill in the circles. 


Grade 2 and 3: Free Gift template.  empty kleenex box, black and white construction paper, printer, scissors, glue, something to colour with.

Bible Story Time:

Preschool thru Grade 1:  Read What it Means to Become a Christian (or read from your own store bought children's bible).   

Grades 2 and 3:  It's tough to know when it's the right time to start readings from the Bible, but if the children have been read a children's version of the story in the past, I believe this is a good age to introduce the King James (or your preferred) bible reading. 

 10 minutes The Coloring Pages can be distributed to the children so they are able to color at home, or during the story.  

 

Closing:

Preschool thru Grade 1: depending on the time remaining ask the children if they would like to become a Christian.  Encourage them to talk to their parents about it more.  What do they think Christians are like?  Are Christians perfect?  Does God love us when we aren't perfect?

Grade 2 and 3: depending on the time remaining ask the children if they would like to become a Christian.  Encourage them to talk to their parents about it more.  Do they know any other Christians?  What are they like?  Who would they like to be more like and why?

 

Standard ending song:  for example

We love to learn together, 
together, together
We love to learn together
And give thanks to God.

substitute "learn" for sing, pray, etc

(to the tune of The More We Get Together)

 5 to 15 minutes  

Brainstorm Board (chalkboard, whiteboard, poster board,...)  

 

 

 

 

 

Words to:

standard ending song