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God Made Families - Part III
Teacher's Guide - this is just one possible lesson plan. Visit the Abraham and Sarah Section for further ideas to supplement this.
Introduction:
The Abraham and Sarah story is really two stories in one. Abraham and Sarah want to start a family, but more importantly it is about having faith in God who promised He would provide children for them. When we pray (talk to God), we need to believe God is listening, and will answer as He sees best. Several times in the story Abraham talks to God. Sometimes Abraham sees God when he talks to Him. We can't see God because He is in heaven, but we can pray to Him, and He will always hear us. No matter where we are or what we're doing. We never have to find God when we want to talk to Him, He comes to us - we just can't see Him.
The message:
Preschool thru Grade 1: God made families. God hears us when we
pray.
Grades 2 and 3: God has given us families, and through our faithfulness He
will bless our family.
I've split this message into two separate ones depending on the age level. For the younger children, the message continues the God as our loving creator theme, this time in the form -- God hears us when we pray. Make sure you repeat the message many times during the lesson. At this early age it is important to reinforce God's love for each of us over and over. The underlying truth of God's love will open the children's hearts to God's commandments as the children grow.
For the older children, we expand on this message and begin to speak about the importance of trusting God, and the importance of faith in God. Send the "God Hears Us When We Pray" Take Home Sheet for the preschool thru grade 1 children and the "Faith in God, Faith in Family" Take Home Sheet with the children grades 2 and 3. Encourage parents to discuss 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 |
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| Welcome! Receive name tags. Have the children use crayons, markers, yarn and whatever other materials (such as wiggly eyes or buttons) you have available to personalize their name tag -- the last "God Made Families" lesson we made our family portrait we focused on our extended family. This time have the children write their name and the name of a family member they would like to pray for this week. Sing the Learning our Names song |
15 to 20 minutes | Star Name tags, scissors (or adults can precut), crayons, markers, yarn, safety pins or tape. |
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Craft time!Preschool thru Grade 1: Make the baby craft. This represents the baby Abraham and Sarah prayed for. Grade 2 and 3: This week expand on stars from the memory verse (Genesis 15:5) in the take home sheet above. There are different stars depending on the level your children are. The Five Point Star (age 6+),Origami Star (age 7+) or Mini Origami Star (age 8+). They can take them home or hang them around in the classroom. |
15 to 30 minutes depending on your adult/child ratio |
Preschool thru Grade 1: baby
craft templates, tp roll, glue, scissors (or adults can precut),
crayons, construction paper. Grade 2 and 3: Five Point Star, Origami Star, Mini Origami Star all you need for these are paper and scissors (or adults can precut). |
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Bible Story Time:Preschool thru Grade 1: Read the The Story of Abraham and Sarah (or read from your own store bought children's bible). Grade 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 | Our mini books or Coloring Pages
can be distributed to the children so they are able to
read along. Print the pages, staple them together in order and let
the kids know when to turn the page. The handouts can be taken
home to color in.
the mini books are coming soon! |
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Closing:Preschool thru Grade 1: depending on the time remaining, allow the children to brainstorm about things they can pray to God about. (family, worries, things they're sorry for, things they're thankful for). Discuss that they need to believe that God hears them, even though they can't see him. God knows best, He can see the future. Grade 2 and 3: depending on the time remaining, allow the children to brainstorm about what they think 'faith' is. (Ask each student to stand up and sit down, and explain that they had faith that their chair would hold them.) Ask them what they could have faith in God for this week. (A problem at school, a family illness, or something down the road). All Grades: Twinkle, twinkle little star (all children should know this song) You could also sing Father Abraham, a fun way to end - and it will probably reinforce who their lesson was about. Standard ending song: for example We love to learn together, substitute "learn" for sing, pray, etc (to the tune of The More We Get Together) |
5 to 15 minutes | Brainstorm Board (chalkboard, whiteboard,
posterboard,...)
Words to: standard ending song |
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