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Gideon

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

Introduction:

This lesson is the story of Gideon.  He was the "least of his family" (Judges 6:15) but with God's help he would become a mighty warrior.  Gideon felt very unsure most of the time about how God was going to follow through but God didn't give up on him and reassured him that with His help he could do it.  We might feel small, young, weak, insignificant but with God we can become something special, powerful, a mighty warrior!  God can give us special powers if we trust him and do His will.

The message:  

Preschool thru Grade 1: Don't be afraid or worried God is with you.
  
Grades 2 and 3: Don't be afraid or worried God is with you.  He will strengthen and help you.

I've split this message into two separate ones depending on the age level.  For the younger children, the message is simple:  Don't be afraid or worried God is with you.  Obviously this won't make young children feel better at first but if we keep reminding them that God is always with them they'll learn to pray to Him in these situations and trust in Him more.  For the older children, we expand on this message and say: Don't be afraid or worried God is with you.  He will strengthen and help you.  Reiterate that God can do anything in and through us we shouldn't doubt His plan.

Make sure you repeat the message many times during the lesson.  Send the The Gideon 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 Trumpet Coloring Pages  or Torch 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	Helmet name tags, scissors (or adults can precut),  crayons, markers, yarn, safety pins or tape.
Craft time! Preschool thru Grade 1: Make the Votive Candle Holder Craft.  This symbolizes the jars and torches in the story.  Instead of using the template offered make your own words to put on the jar like, "For the Lord and for Gideon!" Grade 2 and 3:  Make the Torch Craft.  This torch could be used to help remember the torches that Gideon's men carried as they defeated the Midianites.  Write words on it before it's put together like "A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!"	15 to 30 minutes  depending on your adult/child ratio	Preschool thru Grade 1: Votive Candle Holder template. baby food jars, tissue paper, white glue, votive, paint brush, q-tip or popsicle stick. Grade 2 and 3:  Torch template   printer, paper, crayons, glue scissors.
Bible Story Time: Preschool thru Grade 1:  Read The Story of The Gideon (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 Trumpet Coloring Pages & Torch 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 what they do when they get worried or afraid about something.  It's a good idea to talk to an adult about these things but could they also pray about these situations?  Can God help them?  Grade 2 and 3: depending on the time remaining ask the children to think about something they're worried or afraid about.  God can help them with this problem.  Have a prayer time or ask each of them to pray that God would help them know what to do or take away the worry/fear.  Remind them that God is strong and if he lives in them, He can make them strong like Gideon as well.   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