Grades 3-4 Sunday School Year 2 Teacher’s Guides
The teacher’s guides for Grades 3-4 Sunday School Year 2 lessons are found in three Adobe PDF files:
01Teachers3_4Yr2Fall.pdf 02Teachers3_4Yr2Winter.pdf 03Teachers3_4Yr2Spring.pdf
Three additional Adobe PDF files contain To Do At Home activities for each lesson. 04TDAH3_4Yr2Fall.pdf 05TDAH3_4Yr2Winter.pdf 06TDAH3_4Yr2Spring.pdf
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Copyright Information All rights reserved. The Teacher’s Guides on this CD may be reproduced for use in a single classroom. Sunday schools with more than one classroom per grade level should purchase one Teacher’s Guide CD for each classroom.
TEACHER’S GUIDE GRADES 3-4 YEAR 2 | WINTER
Sunday School I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.
John 8:12 (NIV 1984)
Project Coordinators: Owen Dorn, Raymond Schumacher Editorial Team: Lynn Groth, Jane Mose, Heidi Schoof, Deborah Schuh Art Director: Karen Knutson Design Team: Diane Cook, Pamela Dunn, Scott Meyer, Sarah Oberhofer, Lynda Williams Illustrator (line art): Nan Pollard
We extend our thanks to the many employees of Northwestern Publishing House who have contributed to this project. Catechism materials are taken from Luther’s Catechism: Revised. © 1998 by Northwestern Publishing House. Hymn and hymnal references, unless otherwise indicated, are to Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal. © 1993 by Northwestern Publishing House. Christ-Light and the Christ-Light logo are registered property of Northwestern Publishing House.
Northwestern Publishing House 1250 N. 113th St., Milwaukee, WI 53226-3284 www.nph.net © 2013 by Northwestern Publishing House Published 2013 Printed in the United States of America ISBN 978-0-8100-2159-4
All rights reserved. The Teacher’s Guides on this CD may be reproduced for use in a single classroom. Sunday schools with more than one classroom per grade level should purchase one Teacher’s Guide CD for each classroom. Contents GRADES 3-4 | YEAR 2 | WINTER
Sunday School
NOTES PAGE INTRODUCTION vii 1 The Fall of Jericho ______1
2 Gideon’s Victory ______12
3 Samson’s Strength ______21
4 Samson’s Capture and Death ______31
5 Ruth’s Faith ______41
6 The Birth of Jesus ______50
7 Jesus and the Centurion ______61
8 Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand ______70
9 Jesus’ Transfiguration ______80
10 The Parable of the Loving Samaritan ______88
11 The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant ______97
12 Ten Healed of Leprosy ______106
13 Mary and Martha ______114
Introduction
Christ-Light is a complete religion curriculum Social Development for youth from birth through grade 12. • Can work cooperatively in small groups The Christ-Light Sunday school curriculum • Learn from words, actions, and opinions consists of 117 lessons for each level, arranged of their teachers in a three-year cycle. Each year the students will study lessons from both the Old and New • Learn from words, actions, and opinions Testaments to ensure that they receive a clear of their peers picture of the promise and fulfillment of God’s • Enjoy having parents help them learn plan of salvation. Some key Scripture lessons (such as the creation and the birth, death, and Teacher Preparation resurrection of Jesus) are repeated during the three-year cycle. Unique resources for helping teachers prepare for each lesson are found in the Teaching Helps podcasts. Parental involvement is key to the spiritual You can access these online: www.nph.net/christlight. nurture of the students! Student Lessons offer interesting, interactive For each lesson, a two-part file is provided. In the parent-child activities. first part (about 12 minutes long), a pastor discusses the content of the Bible lesson itself. In the second Teacher’s Guides offer additional ideas for part (about 6 minutes), teachers give additional encouraging parent-child interaction. teaching tips not found in the Christ-Light teacher’s guides. A two-page study sheet is available for those Characteristics of eight- to who may want to take notes as they listen to the ten-year-old children Teaching Helps. Mental Development • Have the ability to use basic reasoning skills Teaching Materials • Are beginning to think abstractly General Supplies • Are inquisitive Each child will need a Bible and a hymnal (Christian • Have vivid imaginations and love to hear Bible Worship). In order to best carry out many of the stories and see pictures of Bible events suggested activities, the teacher will need a chalk • Are eager to explore spiritual truths more deeply or marker board and projection equipment. • Are eager to learn many new truths Teacher’s Guide • Can begin to grasp where events took place Familiarize yourself with the Teacher’s Guide by reading • Have a general understanding of the sequence Teaching the Lesson, beginning on page viii. of events Note that the Teacher’s Guide is set up with parallel Emotional Development lesson plans—one in the wide column and one in • Are highly impressionable the narrow column. • Are developing the ability to independently Those who want one straightforward, complete form personal attitudes and habits lesson can use the wide column, start to finish.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | INTRODUCTION vii Those who want to design their own lessons may Take-Along CDs of the accompaniment + vocal select activities from either the wide or the narrow tracks of all CDs are available at an attractive price column, or from the Lesson Activities section. for use by families. These CDs can teach on the way to school, on the way home from soccer practice, Student Lessons and during evening family time. Christ-Light student lessons are an essential connection Teaching Pictures with the home. Encourage all parents to use them CDs of the Bible story pictures for prekindergarten with their children.These loose-leaf, two-page lesson through grade 4 are available. The pictures may be sheets contain the Bible story text, a full-color projected or reproduced for classroom use. teaching picture, a brief summary of the lesson, both a grade-appropriate and a family parent-child Teaching the Lesson activity, a prayer, and a memory treasure. Lesson Overview Copy Master CD The lesson summary helps the teacher understand the contents of the lesson. The Looking Back at . . . A single copy master CD contains all the copy masters section helps the teacher remember the key points of for the entire year. The reproducible copy masters are the previous lesson. designed to teach, review, apply, reinforce, or enrich your lessons. Lesson goals are expressed in the Truth, what God teaches us in the lesson; the Application, what this Each set of copy masters includes a map featuring lesson means to us; and the Response, what we do locations mentioned in the Bible lessons. The teacher in response to this truth. may enlarge the maps for classroom use or give each student a copy for reference. The teacher is encouraged to present the Memory Treasures The copy master CD also contains separate files with in interesting, fun ways. See printable copies of the selections found on the music the Leader’s Resource CD for CDs. (See Music below.) suggestions.
Music t Each lesson includes at least one song or hymn. You will find new or difficult words, phrases, and concepts in Teaching CDs with upbeat accompaniment and the section called Wordwise. accompaniment + vocal tracks are available for: Be sure students understand 1. 38 memory treasure hymns these as you teach the lesson. 2. 61 core memory treasure passages 3. grade level songs It is always helpful for the teacher to have as much back- The copy master CD contains a file with printable ground information as possible. copies of all the selections on the Christ-Light Songs Appropriate commentaries are CD. listed in Dig Deeper. Additional files contain guitar chords and melody As Christians, we have the priv- lines for the Memory Treasures: Hymns CD as well as ilege of being able to approach the Memory Treasures: Passages CD. our God in prayer. The A music CD icon t identifies the songs that have Teacher Prays offers a prayer been recorded on the CDs. that may be just what you would like to say to God before you begin teaching your lesson.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | INTRODUCTION viii Christ-Light provides a song and memory booklet of all the memory assignments for prayer to open each lesson. The the year. The hymns are also included in the electronic brevity makes it possible to teach memory treasure files. the “meat” of the lesson during prime learning time. Every student lesson has activities that parents can use to teach and Introduce is designed to create use the Word in their homes. student interest in the coming lesson. Introductions provide Additional To Do at Home nec essary background, actively activities are available in a separate involve students, and lead them file on the Teacher’s Guide CD. to anticipate an answer to the aim The importance of parents as the question. primary Christian educators of their children cannot be stressed enough. These To Do at Home The Aim asks what God is telling activities help the teacher us in the lesson. The Truth encourage and extend this vital answers that question. ministry.
Teachers will use this section A brief lesson plan is offered as an to teach the Word of God by option for use in a midweek telling the story in a creative, session or after-school child-care interactive way. program. The plan reviews the lesson but focuses on applying the In this section, key story events Word and responding to it. A brief are briefly reviewed, leading the opening and closing are provided. students to apply the truth to their lives and to examine ways in which they can respond. Lesson Activities These additional activities offer even more options Each lesson closes by leading the for teaching, reviewing, applying, or responding to students to briefly summarize the truth of the lesson. The purpose of each activity the main points of the lesson. is stated so the teacher can quickly see how the Key memory treasures are often activity applies to the lesson. The procedure explains integrated into the lesson closing. how to use the activity. The final activity for some lessons is a Bible study Simple Bible passages, cate - available on the copy master CD as a four-page, chism, and hymn memory full-color copy master. You can use the Bible study treasures are incorporated into to search and apply Scripture in the classroom, or the lessons. Many of these you can encourage parents to conduct this Bible memory treasures are taken study with their children at home. from a core list that will be repeated in later grades. The The Bible studies are from the original Christ-Light Bible passages are available in various translations in (© 1998) and use the 1984 edition of the New electronic format. The teacher can print the memory International Version Bible translation. assignments and distribute them each day or create a
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | INTRODUCTION ix The following memory treasures are developed throughout materials for prekindergarten through grade 6.
Catechism Memory Treasures • Ten Commandments, meanings, and conclusion • Apostles’ Creed—articles and meanings • Lord’s Prayer and meanings • Sacrament of Holy Communion Hymn Memory Treasures * An asterisk indicates a core hymn to be learned by the Sunday school students. As time allows, you may choose to teach other hymn stanzas. Hymn Category Hymn Number Hymn Title Advent 2:1 Savior of the Nations, Come Christmas 38:1-3,13 From Heaven Above to Earth I Come Lent 103:1,2,6 Glory Be to Jesus Lent 111:1,2,5 Sweet the Moments, Rich in Blessing Easter 152:1-3,7,8 I Know That My Redeemer Lives Ascension 170:1,3 Draw Us to Thee Ascension 173:1 On Christ’s Ascension I Now Build Pentecost 183:1,3,4 Holy Spirit, Light Divine Reformation 200:1-4 A Mighty Fortress Is Our God End Time 208:1 Great God, What Do I See and Hear Worship and Praise 234:1,3 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty Word of God 282:1 Lord, Open Now My Heart to Hear Word of God 284:1,3,4 How Precious Is the Book Divine Word of God 293:1 God’s Word Is Our Great Heritage Confession and Absolution 304:1,5,7 *Jesus Sinners Does Receive Close of Service 319:1 On My Heart Imprint Your Image Close of Service 333:1,2 Abide, O Dearest Jesus Redeemer 348:1,4 Jesus, Jesus, Only Jesus Redeemer 358:1,2 How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds Justification 379:1,3 Amazing Grace—How Sweet the Sound Justification 391:1,3,4 God Loved the World So That He Gave
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | INTRODUCTION x Hymn Category Hymn Number Hymn Title Prayer 411:1,2 *What a Friend We Have in Jesus Trust 422:1-4 Jesus, Lead Us On Trust 429:1-3 *What God Ordains Is Always Good Trust 432:1 I Am Jesus’ Little Lamb Trust 436:1,2,4 Jesus, Shepherd of the Sheep Trust 441:1,3 O God, Our Help in Ages Past Commitment 469:1-3,6 *Take My Life and Let It Be Commitment 478:1,2 With the Lord Begin Your Task Stewardship 485:1,2 We Give Thee but Thine Own Christian Love 490:1-3 Love in Christ Is Strong and Living Christian Home 506:1,3 Oh, Blest the House, Whate’er Befall Missions 573:1,2,4 *Hark! The Voice of Jesus Crying Evening 587:3,4 Now Rest Beneath Night’s Shadow Evening 588:1,2,6,7 Abide With Me Confirmation 596:1 Let Me Be Yours Forever Death and Burial 606:1-3 For Me to Live Is Jesus Thanksgiving 610:1-3 Now Thank We All Our God
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | INTRODUCTION xi Bible Passage Memory Treasures * An asterisk indicates a core passage. Those passages express biblical truths that are considered essential knowledge for a basic preparation for confirmation. The passages without an asterisk are not considered core passages but are optional choices for memorization.
* Genesis 1:1 Matthew 4:10b * John 3:16 Ephesians 4:32 Genesis 39:9b Matthew 6:33 John 5:39 Ephesians 6:1 * Exodus 20:11a * Matthew 7:7 John 11:25,26a * 1 Timothy 2:3,4 Job 19:25-27 * Matthew 11:28 * John 14:19b 2 Timothy 3:15 * Psalm 37:5 Matthew 18:20 Romans 1:16 2 Timothy 3:16 * Psalm 50:15 * Matthew 22:37 * Romans 3:23 Hebrews 11:1 * Psalm 51:5 * Matthew 22:39b Romans 3:24 James 1:22 Psalm 103:1,2 * Matthew 26:41 * Romans 6:23 * 1 Peter 5:7 * Psalm 118:1 * Matthew 28:19 * Romans 8:28 1 Peter 5:8 * Psalm 119:105 * Matthew 28:19,20 * Romans 10:17 * 1 John 1:7b Psalm 139:14 * Matthew 28:20b * 1 Corinthians 10:31 1 John 3:15 Psalm 145:15,16 Mark 10:45 1 Corinthians 12:3b 1 John 4:19 * Proverbs 3:5 * Mark 16:16 Galatians 3:26 * Revelation 2:10b Isaiah 41:10 * Luke 11:28 Galatians 3:27 * Isaiah 43:11 Luke 18:13b Galatians 4:4,5 Isaiah 64:6a John 1:29b * Ephesians 2:8,9
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | INTRODUCTION xii See www.nph.net/christlight for Teaching Helps podcast information. The Fall of Jericho 1 Joshua 6:1-25
How did God bless the Israelites when Looking Ahead they faithfully obeyed his commands? at Lesson 2 Gideon’s Victory Judges 7; 8:28 God gave the Israelites victory over the city of Jericho. Aim: How was Gideon able to defeat the Midianites? Application: God blesses those who have faith in him. Truth: God gave Gideon the Response: We show our faith in God by willingly obeying his victory over the Midianites. commands. Application: Even when our Lesson Summary: God gave the Israelites specific instructions troubles seem too big to handle, for capturing the city of Jericho. The people showed their God helps us overcome them. faith by marching around the city just as God had instructed them. God made the wall of the city collapse and gave Jericho Response: We trust that God will into their hands. help us overcome troubles.
Lesson Summary: God let Gideon * Psalm 119:105 take only three hundred men to James 1:22 fight the mighty Midianite army. * The Ninth Commandment Instead of attacking, Gideon and (with explanation) his men merely surrounded the * Hymn 469:1,6 Midianite camp, blew trumpets, held torches, and shouted. God treasury—a place where money or treasure caused the confused Midianites to is stored kill one another and flee in terror.
Memory Treasures: Psalm 56:11a; See Franzmann, Bible History Commentary: *1 Corinthians 10:31; Hymn Old Testament, pages 306 and 307; The 436:1,2 People’s Bible: Harstad, Joshua, pages 89-102. Be aware that although the ark was probably covered when carried (Numbers 4:4-6), it is shown uncovered in the lesson picture as a teaching tool. Locate the Jordan River and Jericho on a map.
Dearest God, thank you for the many blessings you have given me, especially for the gift of faith. Help me show my faith by gladly obeying your commands. Amen.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 1
© 2013 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. 1 1
Alternate Lesson Plan
Sing: Sing “O God, My Sing: Sing “Speak, O Savior; I Am Faithful God” (hymn Listening” (hymn 283:1,4). In this hymn we promise to hear Jesus’ 459:1,2). With this words and follow them. hymn we ask God to bless us and give us strength to Pray: Dear God, we know that you love us and have given us faith to live as he commands. love you. Please help us do your holy will and follow your commands. Let all our words and actions show our love for you. We pray in Jesus’ Pray: Heavenly Father, you have name. Amen. blessed us with many gifts. We ask you now for strength to Before class, write the words of John 14:15 on follow your commands, courage the board. to do your will, and faith to trust your plan for our lives. Amen. Tell the children that when people join an army, they are taught how to march and how to listen You will need a glass to and obey the leader’s commands. Have the of water. children stand up, and show them how to follow these military commands: Ask the children to imagine that they are thirsty. • “Attention!” (Stand straight, shoulders back; face front.) Show the glass of water and ask • “Right face.” (Turn body 90 degrees to the right.) the following: • “About face.” (Turn body 180 degrees; face the opposite direction.) • If I tell you that this glass has • “Left face.” (Turn body 90 degrees to the left.) water in it, what will you do with it? [Drink it.] • “Dismissed.” (Done, you may go.)
• What will you do if I tell you Have the children sit down. Point out that God gives us commands this liquid is not water but in his Word. Explain that a soldier must obey a command even if he or she doesn’t want to. But God wants us to obey his commands willingly. something that will make you By obeying his commands, we can show the love for God that fills our sick? [Not drink it.] hearts because of all he has done for us. This is what Jesus tells us in Point out that their actions John 14:15 (refer to passage on board). Read the passage aloud together. would show that they believe you and trust what you tell them. Today we’ll hear how the Israelites showed their love for God by doing what he told them to do, and we’ll Today we’ll hear how learn how God blessed the Israelites when they the Israelites showed faithfully obeyed his commands. their trust in God by doing what he told them to do. We’ll learn how God blessed the Israelites when they Note: Remember there are To Do at Home activity options in faithfully obeyed his commands. a separate file on the Teacher’s Guide CD.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 1 2 1 To share the plan in paragraphs 2 and 3, pretend you are Joshua explaining God’s battle plan to the Note: You’ll need to use the Israelites. Give a “chalk talk”—like a coach story in the adjacent column. describing a game plan. Write on the board “Day 1,” “Day 2,” etc., to “Day 7.” Draw one circle around Have the children each of Days 1-6 to show one time around. Draw act out the march the ark of God and seven trumpets. Circle Day 7 of the Israelites. seven times. Draw a face with an open mouth to represent giving a loud Assign the fol low - shout. ing parts, depend - ing on the size of your class:
After Joshua led the Israelites across the Jordan River into • 2-4 children join hands in a Canaan, the first city they came to was Jericho. The people of circle to represent the wall of Jericho had heard what God had done for the Israelites in Egypt Jericho and at the Jordan River. So they were terrified when they saw the • 1 child inside the circle to Israelites camping outside their city. They closed and locked their represent Rahab and her family city gate so that they could be safe inside the high, thick wall that • 1-4 priests to carry the ark surrounded Jericho. • 1-7 priests to blow trumpets But God had a battle plan for capturing the city. He told Joshua, “I (Use a cardboard box for the have given the city of Jericho into your hands. Gather your soldiers ark and cardboard tubes for the together. Get the ark of God and some priests to carry it. Take trumpets, or have the children along seven other priests. Have each of them carry a trumpet pretend to carry these objects.) made of a ram’s horn. • 1 child to play Joshua “Have them all march around the city once a day for six days • 2 groups of soldiers to march and then seven times on the seventh day. As they make their seventh trip around the city on the seventh day, the priests should ahead of and behind the sound a long blast on their trumpets, and the people should give a priests loud shout. Jericho’s wall will fall down. Your soldiers can then Have the children march around walk right into the city and take it.” “Jericho” as indicated in the les - Following God’s orders, Joshua and his men marched around the son. When the Israelites shout, city once every day for six days. Soldiers led the way. Behind the the children representing the soldiers came the seven priests with their trumpets. Next came the wall should fall to the floor, priests carrying the ark of God. And more soldiers followed the freeing “Rahab.” ark. While the soldiers and priests circled the city, the priests blew their Build a wall with trumpets. But everyone else marched in silence, not saying a word. building blocks on On the seventh day, they all walked around the city seven times in top of a sheet of the same way. But the seventh time around, the priests gave a paper as you tell long, loud blast on their trumpets. And Joshua called out to the the lesson. At the people, “Shout! For the Lord has given you the city of Jericho! appropriate time in the story, Destroy the city and everything in it. Spare only Rahab and her give a “trumpet” blast and tell family. Take any gold, silver, bronze, and iron you find in the the children to give a loud shout. city, and put it in the treasury of the Lord’s tabernacle. Whatever Pull out the sheet of paper so you do, don’t take anything from the city to keep for yourself. If you do, you will bring destruction on yourself and cause terrible that the wall falls down. trouble for all of Israel.”
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 1 3 1 The people shouted as loud as they could, and the wall of Jericho The children will need came crashing to the ground. There was nothing to stop the paper and pencils. Israelites. They rushed in and captured the city. With their swords they destroyed every living thing in the city. Only Rahab and Ask What instructions did her family were spared because she had hidden the spies. God give the Israelites about Then the soldiers set fire to the city and burned it to the ground. marching around Jericho? But they saved those things made of gold, silver, bronze, and [March around the city once iron. They put these things into the treasury of the Lord’s house. a day for six days, and seven times on the seventh.] What You will need a sheet of printer paper did God say would happen and scissors, sheets of light-colored when they had followed this construction paper, and dark crayons. plan? [Jericho’s wall would fall You will also need a pencil and paper down so they could walk right for each child. into the city.] Do Hold up a sheet of printer paper. Ask the children if they could Say God, of course, could have walk through a hole in the middle of that paper without made the wall fall instantly, at tearing it. Point out that getting through Jericho’s high, thick any time. wall must have seemed just as impossible to the Israelites. Then, Ask while you continue this Discuss section, fold and cut the paper What did God want to as shown: show the Israelites by giving them such detailed instructions? [By giving them these instructions and then doing what he had promised, God Fold paper Cut out a rectangle Cut slits through would show the Israelites that in half. along the fold. both layers. it was his almighty power that made the wall fall.] What did the Say Although getting through Jericho’s wall might have seemed Israelites show God by obeying impossible, God had a plan for capturing the city. his commands exactly? [They Ask What instructions did God give the Israelites about marching showed their faith in God and around Jericho? [March around the city once a day for six days, their trust that he would give and seven times on the seventh.] them the city as he had promised.] What did God say would happen when they had followed this Say plan? [Jericho’s wall would fall down so they could walk right into Just as God instructed the the city.] Israelites at Jericho, he gives us Say instructions in his Word. God gives us instructions and commands in his Word, the Bible. Do Read each of the actions listed below. Ask the children to raise Do Quiz the children on the Ten their hands if it is something God tells them to do in his Word. Commandments. Challenge them to come up with other • Love your neighbors as much as you love yourself. commands God also gives us in [Yes—Matthew 22:39b.] • Obey your parents. [Yes—Ephesians 6:1.]
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 1 4 1 • Do what makes you feel good. [No.] • Watch out for the devil. [Yes—1 Peter 5:8.] his Word. [Love others as much as you love yourself, watch out • Be kind only to those who are kind to you. [No.] for the devil, pray to God when • Get even with people who hurt you. [No.] you are in trouble, spread the gospel to every nation, etc.] • Pray to God when you are in trouble. [Yes—Psalm 50:15.] Ask Say When we obey God’s God’s plan probably didn’t make much sense to the Israelites. commands, what are we Walk around a city, and the wall will fall down? Yet they showing? [Our faith in him obeyed. and our love for him.] Ask What did the Israelites show by obeying God? [Their faith in him.] Say God blesses those who Say As Christians, we want to show our faith in God. But although have faith in him. we say we believe in God and love him, sometimes our actions Ask speak louder than our words. How did God bless the Do Israelites when they faithfully Divide the class into groups. Give each group three sheets of obeyed his commands? [God construction paper and a crayon. After you read each of the gave the Israelites victory over situations that follow, the group should work together to write the city of Jericho.] words that they could say in that situation. On one side of a sheet of paper, they should write words that would not show Say God also blesses us in their love for God, and on the other side, words that would. many ways. The following are situations and possible answers: Do Divide the class into groups. • On a family car trip, you have to share the backseat with Have each group make and your brother. [“I don’t want to sit by him; he’s annoying!” complete an acrostic using the “OK—we can share toys.”] word BLESSINGS. For each letter, • You stayed up too late last night, and now it’s time to get have the students suggest at up for church. [“I’m tired. Let’s skip church!” “I’m coming! I’ll least one spiritual blessing and rest after lunch.”] one earthly blessing. • During the basketball game, the referee makes a bad call [Examples: against your team. [“Hey, Ref! Get some glasses!” “Let’s not B: baptism, babies get upset—we all make mistakes.”] L: Lord’s Supper, love Let the groups share their possible responses to each situation. Say If we say we believe in God and love him but don’t follow E: eternal life, eyes & ears God’s commands, we don’t show our faith. Our love for God S: salvation, shelter.] leads us to want to show our love by obeying his commands. Say Ask God promises in his Word What happened when the Israelites obeyed God’s commands? that he will bless those who [The wall of Jericho came down as God had promised.] have faith in him. Let’s show our Do Unfold the paper and shake it out. Let the children walk through faith by obeying his commands, the hole in the paper, just as the Israelites walked right into as the Israelites did. Jericho. Remind the children that God can do the impossible!
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 1 5 1 Say God blessed the Israelites by giving them victory over Jericho Say The way we act in this miraculous way. God blesses us also. can tell others what Do On the board, write the headings “Earthly Blessings” and we are thinking or feeling. “Spiritual Blessings.” On a sheet of paper, have each child list Ask What are some things you as many blessings as he or she can in 30 seconds. Call on volunteers to share their answers with the class. Write their can do to show your parents that responses under the correct headings on the board. [Possible you love them? [Hug them, pick responses include the following: earthly blessings: parents, food, up my room when they ask, set home, clothing; Spiritual blessings: Jesus our Savior, forgiveness the table, etc.] of sins, God’s Word, promise of heaven.] Say In our lesson, the Israelites Say God does not promise to give his children perfect, trouble-free showed their faith in God by lives here on earth, but he does promise that he will bless those marching around the city of who have faith in him. We can trust in him to keep this Jericho as he had commanded. promise.
Ask How did God bless the Israelites when they faithfully obeyed his commands? [God gave the Israelites victory over the city of Jericho.] Whom does Say A soldier must obey a command given by an officer, even if he God also bless? [God blesses or she doesn’t want to. those who have faith in him.] Ask How does God want us to obey the commands he gives us in Say We show our faith in his Word? [Willingly, out of love for him.] God by willingly obeying his How did God bless the Israelites when they faithfully obeyed commands. his commands? [God gave the Israelites victory over the city of Do Close by singing the Jericho.] memory treasure hymn “Take Whom does God also bless today? [God blesses those who have My Life and Let It Be” (hymn faith in him.] 469:1,6). Say We show our faith in God by willingly obeying his commands. Do Pray: Dear God, because of your great love you care for us, forgive our sins, and promise to take us to heaven. We want to serve and obey you because we are thankful for all you have done for us. Help us show our love and our faith by obeying your commands. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 1 6 1 * Psalm 119:105 What does this mean? We should fear and love God that we do not scheme to get our neighbor’s inheritance or house, or obtain it by a show of right, but do all we can to help him keep it. God told the Israelites not to keep anything in Jericho for themselves. To truly obey God’s command, the Israelites were not even to want James 1:22 the things God had forbidden them to have. * Hymn 469:1,6 1 Take my life and let it be Consecrated, Lord, to thee. Take my moments and my days; Let them flow in ceaseless praise. 6 Take my love, my Lord, I pour At thy feet its treasure store. * The Ninth Commandment Take myself, and I will be You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. Ever, only, all for thee.
• Begin by singing “Though •Use Activity 2 to encourage the children to Thoughtless Thousands trust in God and obey him even when Choose” (hymn 466:1,2). situations seem impossible. In this hymn we promise to • Ask the children to think about tough live a life of faithful service situations that they are facing now or might and obedience to God. face in the future. Close by having the children •Use Activity 1 under Lesson Activities to pray silently that God will help them trust in review the lesson. him in those situations and do his will.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 1 7 1 Lesson Activities 5. Sword: At God’s command, the Israelites killed every living thing in Jericho. Only Rahab and 1. Review her family were spared. Jericho Revisited 6. Coins: At God’s command, the soldiers Purpose: To review the lesson events by leading gathered up everything made of gold, silver, the children through a “museum exhibit” of the bronze, and iron and put it in the treasury of battle of Jericho. the Lord’s house. Procedure: Before class, you will need to collect 7. Trophy: God kept his promise and blessed the the following items and set them on display in Israelites by giving them victory over Jericho this order: 1. detailed printed instructions (such in this miraculous way. as for assembling furniture); 2. a pair of leather sandals; 3. a trumpet or horn; 4. one or more 2. Application bricks; 5. a “sword”; 6. a small pile of coins or The Hall of Faith precious metals; and 7. a trophy, medal, or blue ribbon. (Substitute if necessary: a paper towel roll Purpose: To encourage the children to trust in for a ram’s horn trumpet, a wrapping paper roll God and obey him even when situations seem for a sword, a box for a brick, etc.) impossible. Tell the children you will be their guide as they Procedure: Ask the children why it seemed tour the exhibit. Stop before each object, display impossible for the Israelites to capture the city of and identify it, and ask if anyone can explain Jericho. [Jericho was surrounded by a high, thick wall; what that item can tell us about the battle of the city gates were locked; the Israelites had no Jericho. Expand on their answers if necessary. weapons to break down the wall.] Ask how the Explanations are as follows: Israelites showed their faith and trust in God. [By marching around the city according to God’s 1. Instructions: God gave the Israelites detailed commands.] Have the children list things God instructions at Jericho. Review the marching expects us to do as Christians that may seem order and number of laps around the city. impossible at times. [Examples: Being kind to someone 2. Sandals: The Israelites marched around Jericho who is mean to me, not sinning when others around me as God had commanded—13 times altogether! are sinning.] Then have them read together Luke 1:37. Point out that with God’s help each of us 3. Horn: The seven priests with ram’s horns blew can do the things he asks of us, such as living a them as they marched around the city, but the Christian life even though surrounded by sin. Ask others marched in silence for six days. On the when we, like the Israelites at Jericho, can show seventh day, the priests gave one loud blast on our faith in God. [When we trust his Word and obey the horns and the people shouted as loud as his commands.] they could. Have each child complete Copy Master 1 to 4. Brick: The city of Jericho was surrounded by a learn how some of the believers mentioned in high, thick wall. When the Israelites faithfully Hebrews chapter 11 showed their faith in God. followed God’s commands, the wall came (Option: Have the children work in pairs or small tumbling down. The Israelites rushed in and groups to complete the exercise.) [Answers: destroyed the city—leaving nothing but verse 3—us; verse 4—Abel; verse 7—Noah; rubble. verse 8—Abraham; verse 23—Moses’ parents; verse 32—Samuel and David.]
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 1 8 1 3. Music Obey God (Challenge) “Take That City!” Purpose: To have the children tell ways the Israelites obeyed God’s commands and ways we Purpose: To learn a fun song with actions that can obey God’s commands. reminds us how God gave his people the victory over Jericho. Procedure: Have each child complete Copy Master 4. The answers are as follows: Procedure: Sing “Take That City!” (Copy Master 2). Incorporate the actions suggested, Part One: Answers will vary but should be similar or let the children make up their own. to the following: 1. The Israelites marched around the city 4. Art according to God’s commands. Before and After Pictures 2. The priests carried the ark and their trumpets. Purpose: To draw pictures as reminders of the The soldiers took things made of silver, gold, victory God gave his people at Jericho. bronze, and iron for the Lord’s treasury. Procedure: Have the children draw a line down 3. The people shouted on the seventh trip the middle of a piece of paper. On the left half, around the city on the seventh day. have them draw what they think Jericho looked like when the Israelites first saw it. On the right 4. The soldiers destroyed every living thing in half, they should draw what they think the city the city. looked like after God made the wall fall down. Part Two: Possible responses: 5. Review and Apply Feet: I can use my feet to run and help my mom get groceries from the car or to walk away when The Wall Falls Down friends tempt me to sin. Purpose: To review how God gave the Israelites victory over Jericho and remind us that God Hands: I can use my hands to help my dad rake blesses those who have faith in him. leaves or to help my brother when he falls off his bike. Procedure: Have each child complete Copy Master 3. The answers are as follows: Voice: I can use my voice to sing praises to God or to tell someone about Jesus. Part One: 1. wall, 2. God, 3. six, 4. seven, 5. ark, 6. trumpets, 7. Jericho, 8. power, 9. obeying, 10. faith Part Two: 1. 1, 2. 7, 3. 13, 4. 0, 5. 0
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 1 9 1
6. Other Ideas What’s Your Point? Purpose: To gain a deeper understanding by emphasizing different words of a sentence. Procedure: Point out that emphasizing different words of a sentence can give slightly different meanings to the sentence. On the board, write these words God spoke to Joshua: “I have given the city of Jericho into your hands.” Then read the sentence five times, each time emphasizing the underlined word or words shown below. After each reading, discuss the meaning that the emphasized word or words give to the sentence. 1. I have given the city of Jericho into your hands. [God alone would do this with his almighty power.] 2. I have given the city of Jericho into your hands. [Since God had promised to do this, it was as good as done.] 3. I have given the city of Jericho into your hands. [God would give the city to the Israelites; they could not take it with their own power.] 4. I have given the city of Jericho into your hands. [God would give the entire city to the Israelites.] 5. I have given the city of Jericho into your hands. [God’s plan would put the city right into the hands of the Israelites.]
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 1 10 NOTES:
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER 11 See www.nph.net/christlight for Teaching Helps podcast information. 22Gideon’s Victory Judges 7; 8:28
Looking Back How was Gideon able to defeat at Lesson 1 the Midianites? The Fall of Jericho Joshua 6:1-25 God gave Gideon the victory Aim: How did God bless the over the Midianites. Israelites when they faithfully obeyed his commands? Application: Even when our troubles seem too big to handle, God helps us overcome them. Truth: God gave the Israelites victory over the city of Jericho. Response: We trust that God will help us overcome troubles. Lesson Summary: God let Gideon take only three hundred Application: God blesses those men to fight the mighty Midianite army. Instead of attacking, who have faith in him. Gideon and his men merely surrounded the Midianite camp, Response: We show our faith in blew trumpets, held torches, and shouted. God caused the God by willingly obeying his confused Midianites to kill one another and flee in terror. commands.
Lesson Summary: God gave the Psalm 56:11a Israelites specific instructions for * 1 Corinthians 10:31 Hymn 436:1,2 capturing the city of Jericho. The people showed their faith by marching around the city just as God had instructed them. God made the wall of the city discipline—a punishment given to teach a collapse and gave Jericho into person or people to stop sinning their hands.
Memory Treasures: *Psalm See Franzmann, Bible History Commentary: Old Testament, pages 323 and 324; The 119:105; James 1:22; *The People’s Bible: Lawrenz, Judges, Ruth, pages Ninth Commandment (with 87-95. explanation); *Hymn 469:1,6
Dear Holy Spirit, give me a strong faith through the power of your Word. Dear Father, protect me from all dangers, especially the threat of my unseen enemy, Satan. Dear Savior, forgive me when I fall into sin. Dear God, I ask all this because you have promised you will do it. Amen.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 2
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Alternate Lesson Plan
Sing: Sing “Abide, O Sing: Sing “Jesus, Shepherd of the Dearest Jesus” (hymn Sheep” (hymn 436:1,2,4), which reminds us that we can trust in 333:1,5) to ask for Jesus, our Good Shepherd, to take care of us. Jesus’ protection from Pray: Dearest Shepherd, there are many times we are frightened. Help Satan and the troubles of this us not to be afraid but to trust that you are with us and are taking care world. of us. Make us bold so that we follow you wherever you lead us. Amen. Pray: Dear Jesus, thank you for abiding with us at all times so Before class, duplicate Copy Master 1 onto heavy that we are never alone. Protect paper and cut out the puzzle pieces. If you will be us all from sin and Satan until we displaying them on a magnetic surface, attach a reach our home in heaven. Amen. magnetic strip to the back of each piece. To show or remind Display the puzzle pieces on a projector or a magnetic the children how surface. Challenge a child to use the pieces to make two squares. After severely the Midianites the student tries to solve the puzzle, show him or her how to arrange the pieces to form two squares. (See the solution that follows. Note oppressed the Israelites, have that one square is the empty space in the middle of the larger square.) the children open their Bibles Point out that the child alone was not able to solve the puzzle but to Judges 6:1-6 and read these could do it with your help. verses with you. Ask them to find a verse that tells how many Midianites were in the Israelites’ land. [Verse 5b.] Ask the children to make a face to show how Gideon might have looked when God first told him to save the Israelites from the Midianites. [The children might make shocked or scared faces.] Explain that Gideon felt better when God promised to be with him and gave him two Today you will learn about Gideon, who faced an miraculous signs. enemy he could not defeat on his own but could defeat with help. Listen carefully to learn how Today you will hear Gideon was able to defeat the Midianites. about the battle against the Midianites. Listen carefully to learn how Gideon was able to defeat the Midianites. Note: Remember there are To Do at Home activity options in a separate file on the Teacher’s Guide CD.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 2 13 2 When you describe the items Gideon gave his Note: You’ll need to use the men, display a drawing of a ram’s horn trumpet story in the adjacent column. and show a tissue paper torch (made from red or orange tissue paper attached to a stick or On the board, cardboard tube) inside a clay jar (made from draw tally marks modeling clay or salt dough—see Lesson ( llll ) to represent Activity 1). the Israelite soldiers. Make 64 groups of five marks. Put ten The Israelites had turned away from God and were worshiping false gods. To discipline them, God let the Midianites attack them groups in a row for easier and rule over them for seven years. When the Israelites repented counting. When you tell the and cried to him for help once again, God chose a man named children that 32,000 men first Gideon to lead them and rescue them from the Midianites. came to help drive out the Midianites, point to the marks Gideon sent messengers throughout Israel to find men willing to fight alongside him. Thirty-two thousand men came to help drive and explain that each mark out the Midianites. So Gideon and his men set up camp. The huge represents 100 Israelite soldiers. Midianite army was camped in a nearby valley. Each group stands for a total of 500, so your diagram represents Then God came to Gideon and said, “You have too many 32,000 soldiers (64 x 500 = soldiers. When I give the Midianites into your hands, your men might say, ‘The Lord didn’t rescue us. We did it ourselves with 32,000). When you tell how our big, strong army.’ So tell your men that anyone who is afraid 22,000 men went back home, and doesn’t want to fight may go back home.” erase all but 20 of the groups. This represents the ten thousand When Gideon gave the Lord’s message to his men, 22,000 of them men Gideon had left (20 x 500 = left. Now Gideon had ten thousand men. 10,000). Finally, when you But God said, “Gideon, you still have too many men. Take them explain how Gideon watched down to the water and watch how each man gets a drink. Those how the men drank and sent all who scoop up water with their hands to drink are the ones to but three hundred home, erase take with you. But the ones who get down on their knees to drink with their faces close to the water can go home.” all the tally marks except three. Point out that the Lord was After Gideon did as he was told, he had only three hundred men making it clear to Gideon that left! God told him, “I will help you defeat the Midianites with it would be God’s power, not a those three hundred men.” huge army, that would defeat During the middle of the night, God spoke to Gideon again. “I the Midianites. want you to go down to the Midianite camp and listen to what the Midianites are saying,” God said. “Once you do, you won’t be Point out Gideon afraid to attack them.” on a time line So Gideon sneaked to the edge of the enemy’s camp. There he made from Copy heard one soldier tell another, “I had this strange dream during Masters 3.1S and the night. A round loaf of bread came rolling into our camp and 3.2S. (Cut the flattened a tent.” sections apart and tape them end-to-end.) Also point out the His friend said, “Your dream must be about that man Gideon from Israel. It means that God will let him come down into our camp and wipe us out.”
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 2 14 2 When Gideon heard this, he gave thanks to God. He hurried back to camp and told his men, “Let’s go! The Lord has given locations of Canaan, Midian, and the Midianites into our hands.” the Jordan River on a map, such Gideon then divided his three hundred men into three groups. He as Copy Master 1S. gave each man a trumpet, a burning torch, and a large clay jar in which to hide the torch. He told the men, “When we get to the You will need four enemy camp, spread out and surround it. Then wait for my glasses of equal size. signal. When I blow my trumpet, join in with yours. Then shout, Put popped popcorn ‘For the Lord and for Gideon!’” into two of those glasses until Around midnight Gideon’s men spread out in a big circle around they are full. Fill one of the the enemy camp. Quietly they waited for Gideon to begin the remaining glasses (almost to attack. Then the signal came. Gideon blew his trumpet, and all of the brim) with vegetable oil and his men began blowing theirs. They smashed their clay jars and the other with white milk. held their burning torches high in the air as they all shouted, “A Place each of the two glasses sword for the Lord and for Gideon!” containing liquids onto a pie tin Gideon’s men did not have to do anything else. The blaring (to catch overflowing liquid). trumpet blasts, the blazing torches all around the camp, and the Do thundering shouts confused the Midianites and caused them to Tell the children that they panic. Thinking they were surrounded by Israelites, they pulled out are going to do a little math their swords and starting swinging. Because they couldn’t tell about today’s lesson. First, have friend from enemy in the dark, many of them wound up killing one them read Judges 8:10 in their another. The rest ran away, hoping to get to a safe place across the Bibles. Ask a volunteer to come Jordan River. But Gideon and his men chased after them and cut to the board to figure out how off their route of escape. They completely defeated the Midianites. many enemy soldiers Gideon’s God had given the Israelites the victory. men had faced. For the next 40 years, while Gideon ruled the Israelites as their 120,000(had fallen) leader and judge, God blessed them with peace. +15,000(were left)
[135,000.]
Then, if you have a student who can divide well, ask the student to determine how many enemy Say At first, Gideon had 32,000 men in his army. But God said that was too many. soldiers there were to fight each of Gideon’s men. Ask Why was this too many? [The Israelites would think that they [135,000 ÷ 300 = 450.] were rescuing themselves with their large army, rather than the Lord rescuing them. They would learn to trust in themselves instead of Ask On their own, how much trusting in the Lord.] of a chance did Gideon’s army Say When Gideon told those who were afraid to go home, 22,000 have to defeat the Midianites? men left. But God said that the remaining ten thousand men [None; it would have been were still too many. impossible.] With God on the Ask How was Gideon to decide whom to keep now? [By separating Israelites’ side, how much of a the men who drank water by scooping it with their hands from those who knelt down to drink.]
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 2 15 2 Why was this an unusual way to choose soldiers? [Usually chance was there that they soldiers are chosen because of their strength and abilities, not would lose the battle? [None; because of how they drink water.] God cannot be defeated!] How, How many men did God let Gideon have in his army? then, was Gideon able to defeat [Only three hundred.] the Midianites? [God gave Say God knew that the Israelites needed to learn to trust in him Gideon the victory.] and to give him glory for their victories. We need to learn Do Have the children think of these things as well. troubles that seem too big for Do Draw two 1-10 rating-scale lines on the board, each looking them to handle. Show one glass like this: of popcorn and the glass of vegetable oil. Explain that the 1 2345678910 pieces of popcorn stand for troubles, and the vegetable oil Not Very Well Well stands for us sinners. Have each child come to the front of the room, one at a time, to name Label one line “Aaron” and the other “Grace.” Then tell the one big trouble and move one following story: piece of popcorn into the Aaron was in a bike accident and hurt both of his legs. vegetable oil glass. When He is determined to work very hard at his therapy. “If I the vegetable oil/popcorn work hard enough every day,” he thinks, “I’m sure I can combination begins to overflow, get my legs back to normal by basketball season.” explain that just as the glass of Allow some (or all) of the children to come to the board and vegetable oil couldn’t handle all mark on Aaron’s line how well they think he is solving his that popcorn, we can’t handle problem. Then have them do the same with Grace’s line after our troubles on our own. Then you tell this story: show the two remaining glasses. Grace’s dog, Pepper, ran away. She says, “I’m going to find Explain that the popcorn still my dog no matter what it takes! I’m going to put up stands for troubles, but the posters, get my dad to put an ad in the newspaper, and white milk stands for our holy, ride around the neighborhood on my bike looking for sinless God. Move one piece of Pepper until I find her.” popcorn at a time into the glass After the children are done, discuss their responses. Point out of milk. When all the popcorn that what Aaron and Grace are doing to solve their problems is is in the milk glass (which good, but they are both missing something. Ask what that is. shouldn’t overflow), explain that [They are forgetting to pray to God and trust in him for help.] God can handle all our troubles, Ask If Aaron gets better by basketball season and Grace finds Pepper, no matter how big. what should they both do? [Thank God and give him the glory.] Say At God’s direction, Gideon sneaked down to the enemy camp and overheard two men talking about a dream. One of the men said that the dream must mean that God would let Gideon wipe out the Midianites.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 2 16 2 Ask Was it an accident that Gideon overheard this conversation? [No. God made sure Gideon heard this message so that he would Do Ask the children to be confident to attack.] make their faces show What “weapons” did Gideon give each man in his army? [A how Gideon felt at first about trumpet, a burning torch, and a clay jar in which to hide the torch.] fighting the Midianites. [Scared, Then ask them to make Why was this unusual? [Normally soldiers would take things like worried.] swords and spears to fight a battle.] their faces show how he must have felt after the battle. [Happy, Say Gideon gave his men the battle plan: surround the enemy excited.] camp, and then follow Gideon’s signal to blow their trumpets, smash their clay jars, and hold up their torches. Ask How was Gideon able to Ask What did Gideon’s men shout? [“A sword for the Lord and for defeat the Midianites? [God Gideon!”] gave Gideon the victory over the Midianites.] What does God Gideon was their leader, but whose command was Gideon do for us when our troubles following? [God’s.] Say seem too big to handle? [Even The Midianites became confused and started killing one another. when our troubles seem too big Ask Why did the Midianites get so confused? [God caused this to to handle, God helps us happen.] overcome them.]
Say God caused the Midianites to kill one another, and the Israelites Say Let’s trust that God will won the battle. You need to fight battles too—battles against the help us overcome troubles. devil, temptations, and all the troubles sin has brought into this Do world. Have each child take a turn leading one sentence of a group Do Give several children two minutes to list on the board as many prayer. The children’s sentences of their troubles as possible, such as sickness, a pet dying, getting into trouble with parents. should begin with “God, help me Say when . . .” or “God, be with me You might sometimes feel as if you are outnumbered or that when . . .” Close the group prayer you can’t win against your troubles. Yet God is all-powerful, with a petition of your own. and he will take care of you in the way he knows is best. Ask How has God helped you overcome your biggest trouble—sin? [He sent Jesus to be our Savior and defeat the devil. And God continues to help you fight the devil’s daily temptations to sin.] Say Since God has already overcome our biggest trouble, he can and will certainly help with other troubles. Let’s erase every trouble on the board that God can help us with. Do Have the children erase every trouble that they listed.
Ask If your parents were to see you struggling with a puzzle that you just couldn’t solve, what might they do? [Help me solve it.]
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 2 17 2
Say God knew that Gideon couldn’t win against the Midianites on his own. Ask What did God do for Gideon? [God helped Gideon.] How, then, was Gideon able to defeat the Midianites? [God gave Gideon the victory over the Midianites.] What does God do for us when our troubles seem too big to handle? [Even when our troubles seem too big to handle, God helps us overcome them.] Say Let’s trust that God will help us overcome troubles. Do Pray: Dear Jesus, let me walk your way; Your guidance never fails me. Please take my every fear away When Satan’s power assails me. And, by your footsteps led, My path I’ll safely tread. Through all the dangers every day, Dear Jesus, lead me in your way. Amen. (hymn 431:5, altered)
Psalm 56:11a Hymn 436:1,2 1 Jesus, shepherd of the sheep, Who your Father’s flock does keep, Safe we wake and safe we sleep, Guarded still by you. 2 In your promise firm we stand; None can take us from your hand. Speak—we hear—at your command, * 1 Corinthians 10:31 We will follow you. This hymn reminds us that Jesus is our Shepherd, who takes care of us and guards us from harm. Therefore, we boldly follow our Shepherd’s lead, just as sheep follow their shepherd.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 2 18 2
• Sing Psalm 31 (hymnal, page children do Activity 2. 77). This psalm reminds us • Have the children write letters to God, telling that God is our strength. him about problems or struggles in their lives. •Use Activity 1 under Encourage them to ask God for his help. When Lesson Activities to they are finished, tell them that these letters are review the story. really prayers to God. Give them time to silently pray what they have written. • Point out that Gideon trusted in God, and God helped him defeat his enemies. Then have the
Lesson Activities 2. Application 1. Review Talk About Trust Purpose: To reinforce the importance of trusting Make and Act in God. Purpose: To have the children make props and then use them to act out the lesson. Procedure: Show the children how to use a Bible concordance. Have a child count the number Procedure: Have the children form jars out of of passages listed under the word trust in the modeling clay or salt dough (a recipe follows). Let concordance. Point out that most of these passages the children make torches out of craft sticks, with talk about trusting God. Meanwhile, have the rest red or orange tissue paper attached for flames, and of the children count the number of hymns in give them cardboard tubes (such as from paper the “Trust” section of the hymnal. When they are towel rolls) to represent ram’s horn trumpets. finished counting, ask why we need to hear so When you review the lesson, let the children many times, over and over, that we can always use these items to role-play the attack on the trust God. [As sinners, we often forget to trust God; Midianites. Encourage the children to use their Satan is continually tempting us not to trust God.] props when telling the lesson to family members. Point out that God wants us to be sure that we (Salt dough recipe: Mix 2 cups flour, 1 cup salt, can trust in him to help us always. 2 and about ⁄3 cup water to form a soft, rubbery dough. If desired, add a few drops of food coloring to the water before mixing. One batch makes enough for about five children. The clay jars will need to harden overnight.)
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 2 19 2 3. Music 5. Review and Apply “Onward, Christian Soldiers” Noteworthy Numbers Purpose: To review the lesson application in song Purpose: To review the lesson by looking at and to keep a steady beat. numbers in it and to recognize ways God overcomes troubles the children face. Procedure: Sing “Onward, Christian Soldiers” (hymn 537). This hymn reminds us that Jesus is Procedure: Have each child complete Copy with us as we fight our daily battles. Because of the Master 3. The answers are as follows: military nature of this hymn, it is especially fitting Part One: b, d, a, e, c, c to use a drum beat. Have a child beat steadily (quarter note beats) as the children sing, or have a Part Two: Answers for number 2 will vary. child in your class who can read note values and Answers for the other sentences should be similar keep a rhythm use the following pattern: to the following: 1. sin, sending Jesus to die for me; 3. he takes me to heaven.
Victory by God’s Power (Challenge) Purpose: To review the lesson and learn what the 4. Art Bible teaches about God’s almighty power. Torch Posters Procedure: Have each child complete Copy Purpose: To make posters that will remind the Master 4. The answers are as follows: children of the lesson application. Part One: 1. Gideon, Midianites; 2. thanked, Procedure: Give each child a 9" x 12" sheet of dream; 3. confused, killing; 4. Israelites, victory yellow, green, white, or blue construction paper; Part Two: These should be colored: 2 Chronicles a brown crayon or a 6" x 9" piece of brown 20:6; Psalm 46:1; Psalm 66:3; Proverbs 18:10; construction paper; a 6-inch square of red or Jeremiah 10:6 orange tissue paper; scissors; glue; markers; and a duplicate of Copy Master 2. Have the children follow these steps to make torch posters: 6. Other Ideas • Color the torch shape on the copy master Puzzles brown and cut it out, or cut out the shape and Purpose: To give the children a way to share the use it as a pattern to make a torch from brown lesson application with their families. construction paper. Fold back the tabs. Procedure: Give each child a duplicate of Copy • Put glue on the tabs of the torch, and glue it Master 1. Have the children cut out the puzzle to the center of the large sheet of construction pieces and practice putting them together to form paper to make the torch three dimensional. two squares as described in Introduce. Allow them to take the puzzles home to share with their • Cut the top edge of the tissue paper to look families. Encourage them to tell family members like flames. Gently slide the tissue paper into that just as help is needed to solve the puzzle, we the cone-shaped torch, leaving the jagged edge need God’s help with our daily troubles. sticking out. • Use markers to print “God is with you” or Bible Study “God gives the victory” on the poster. Copy Masters 5.1-5.4 contain an age- appropriate, theme-related Bible study.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 2 20 See www.nph.net/christlight for Teaching Helps podcast information. Samson’s Strength 3 Judges 13:1-7,24,25; 14:1–15:17,20
How did God help the Israelites when the Looking Back Philistines ruled over them? at Lesson 2 Gideon’s Victory Judges 7; 8:28 God gave Samson strength to fight against the Philistines. Aim: How was Gideon able to defeat the Midianites? Application: God gives us the abilities that he wants us to use to help others. Truth: God gave Gideon the victory over the Midianites. Response: We gladly use our abilities to help others. Application: Even when our Lesson Summary: Before Samson’s birth, God chose him to help troubles seem too big to handle, the Israelites when the Philistines ruled over them. God blessed Samson with great strength, which Samson used to fight against God helps us overcome them. the Philistines single-handedly. Response: We trust that God will help us overcome troubles. * Isaiah 43:11 Lesson Summary: God let Gideon * The Sixth Commandment take only three hundred men to (with explanation) * Hymn 304:1✝ fight the mighty Midianite army. Instead of attacking, Gideon and ✝ Because of space limitations, the text of the memory treasure his men merely surrounded the hymn is not in the student lesson. For hymn texts, use the hymnal Midianite camp, blew trumpets, or the electronic memory treasure files for your grade level. held torches, and shouted. God caused the confused Midianites to kill one another and flee in terror. vineyard—a place where grapes are grown Memory Treasures: Psalm 56:11a; *1 Corinthians 10:31; Hymn See Franzmann, Bible History Commentary: 436:1,2 Old Testament, pages 325-328; The People’s Bible: Lawrenz, Judges, Ruth, pages 143-146 and 150-164.
With humility and thankfulness, O Lord, I acknowledge the great privilege you have given me to teach your Word to your dear children. It is awesome to know that you can use even me to pass on your Word from generation to generation. Please work in the hearts of those whom I teach. Help us treasure the mercy you have shown us through Jesus our Savior. Amen. GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 3
© 2013 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. 21 3
Alternate Lesson Plan
Sing: Sing “Love in Sing: Sing “Jesus Sinners Does Receive” Christ Is Strong and (hymn 304:1,5) as a reminder that God has taken care of our biggest Living” (hymn 490) to trouble—sin. He forgives all our sins for Jesus’ sake. remind the children that our love for Christ leads us Pray: Dear God, you are our strength and our salvation. Help us to show kindness to others. through all our daily troubles. We thank and praise you for sending Jesus to take away our heavy load of sin. We pray in his name. Amen. Pray: Dear Jesus, you have showed more love for us than we could ever know! Teach us to Play “guess the letter” with the word Philistines. Draw reflect that love by being helpful 11 short lines horizontally across the board—one for and kind to others. Amen. each letter of the word. Tell the children that today’s lesson is about another of the Israelites’ enemies that Ask the children how ruled over them for a time. They must solve the puzzle many soldiers are to find the name of that enemy. Have the children take usually in an army. turns guessing letters of the alphabet. When a child guesses a letter that’s [Thousands.] Ask how many used in the word, write the letter on the correct line(s). If a child men were in Gideon’s army guesses a letter that isn’t part of the word, write it off to one side so that when he defeated the it isn’t reused. When the word is complete, help the children read it. Midianites. [Three hundred.]
Today you’re going to hear about a time when a different Listen carefully to answer the question, How did enemy—the God help the Israelites when the Philistines Philistines—troubled the ruled over them? Israelites. You’ll hear how God helped the Israelites by sending an army with an even more unusual number of men. Listen to find out how God helped the Israelites when the Philistines ruled over them.
Note: Remember there are To Do at Home activity options in a separate file on the Teacher’s Guide CD.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 3 22 3 Give each child a duplicate of Copy Master 1. Tell the children that as they listen to today’s Note: You’ll need to use the lesson, they should circle each picture that shows story in the adjacent column. something in the story. When you are done telling the lesson events, ask the children to tell which Write the pictures they circled, and why. The following following list of should be circled: the hair, the bees and numbers on the honeycomb, the lion, the foxes, the jawbone, and the number 1,000. board. As you tell the lesson events, ask the children to raise their After the time of Gideon and after God had given the people of hands when they hear each Israel several other judges, the Israelites once again turned away number. Encourage them to from the Lord and worshiped idols. So God allowed a group of remember what each number people called the Philistines to come into Canaan and rule over the Israelites for 40 years. has to do with the day’s lesson. Then, at the end of your first But then God chose a man named Samson to help the Israelites telling, have the children recall and free them from the Philistines. Even before Samson was born, the significance of each number. God had told his parents that he was to lead a special kind of life. He was to be a Nazirite—a man set apart to serve the Lord. He was 40—number of years the not to drink wine or any other alcohol. He could not eat certain Philistines ruled over the kinds of foods. And his hair was never to be cut. Israelites
Samson grew up, and God blessed him with great strength to use 7—number of days Samson’s against the Philistines. Rather than leading an army into battle, Samson wedding feast lasted would be a one-man army—fighting against the Philistines single- handedly. 30—number of men Samson challenged to solve the riddle; When Samson was a young man, he saw a beautiful, young also number of men Samson Philistine woman. He told his father and mother that he wanted to marry her. His parents were very unhappy to hear this. They killed to take their clothes knew that God didn’t want his people to marry unbelievers. So 3—number of days men tried they asked Samson, “Couldn’t you find a woman from among to guess the riddle God’s people whom you could marry? Did you have to choose an unbelieving Philistine woman?” 300—number of foxes Samson tied together in pairs But Samson still wanted to marry her. So his parents gave in and made the arrangements for Samson to marry the woman he had 1,000—number of Philistines chosen. They didn’t know that this was part of God’s plan to use Samson killed with a donkey’s Samson against the Philistines. jawbone
One day as Samson was on his way to see the woman, a young lion 20—number of years God used attacked him. God gave Samson the strength to tear the lion Samson to lead the Israelites apart with his bare hands. Samson then continued on his way to against the Philistines visit the young woman. Sometime later, on his way back to marry the woman, Samson stopped at the place where he had killed the lion. A swarm of honeybees had made its home inside the lion’s dead body. Samson scooped some honey out of the honeycomb and ate it as he walked along.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 3 23 3 Samson’s wedding feast lasted seven days. Thirty Philistine men As you mention were among the guests. “Let me tell you a riddle,” Samson said Gideon and to them. “If you can find the answer to my riddle before this feast ends, I’ll give each of you a set of clothes. But if you can’t find Samson during the answer, then each of you must give me a set of clothes.” your telling of the lesson events, The men were interested. “Tell us your riddle,” they said. “We want point to their pictures on the to hear it.” time line made from Copy “Here’s the riddle,” Samson replied. “Out of the eater came Masters 3.1S and 3.2S (sections something to eat. Out of the strong one came something cut apart and taped end-to-end). sweet. Now tell me what it means.” The men spent three days trying to figure it out. When they couldn’t come up with the answer, they told Samson’s wife, “Find out the answer from Samson and tell us, or we’ll kill you and your family.” Terribly frightened, she cried for days and kept begging Samson for the answer. Finally, on the last day of the feast, he told her the answer. And at once she told the men. That evening the men came to Samson with the right answer. “What is sweeter than honey?” they asked. “And what is stronger than a lion?” But Samson knew how they had gotten the answer. Samson was furious. He went out and killed 30 Philistine men. Then he took their clothes and gave them to the 30 men who had answered his riddle. Samson’s father-in-law thought Samson didn’t want anything more to do with his daughter, Samson’s wife. So while Samson was away, his father-in-law let her marry another man. When Samson returned and found out this had happened, he again became very angry. He went out and caught three hundred foxes. He tied them together tail to tail in pairs and fastened a torch to every pair of tails. Then he lit the torches and turned the foxes loose in the Philistines’ grain fields. He burned up their grain as well as their vineyards and olive groves. Shortly after this, Samson attacked and killed a large number of Philistines. Knowing that the Philistines would come after him, Samson hid in a cave. And the Philistines did send their army out looking for him. When the Israelites heard about this, some of them went to Samson and begged him to let them hand him over to the Philistines. Samson said, “You’ll have to promise that you won’t kill me yourselves.” The Israelite men promised. So Samson let them tie him up with two new ropes and lead him to where the Philistines were waiting.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 3 24 3 The Philistines cheered when they saw that Samson had been caught. But suddenly Samson broke right through the ropes on You will need duplicates his arms! Then he saw a donkey’s jawbone lying at the side of the of Copy Master 2. road. He picked it up and, swinging it like a club, killed a thousand of the Philistines who had come to capture him. Do Divide the class into groups, For 20 years God used Samson to lead the people of Israel against and give each group a duplicate their enemy the Philistines. God was with Samson, giving him of the copy master. Ask the courage and strength to do many mighty acts. groups to discuss each state - ment on the copy master and decide together whether their group agrees or disagrees with Each child will need a pencil it. Encourage them to be ready and paper. to explain their answers. The correct answers are as follows:
Ask How did the Israelites again show unfaithfulness to the Lord? 1. Disagree. God has a plan [By worshiping idols.] for each of our lives, even Say God allowed the Philistines to rule over the Israelites for 40 before we are born. (See years. But then God chose Samson to help free them. Psalm 139:13-16.) Ask What does this show about God’s feelings toward the Israelites? 2. Disagree. God gave Samson great strength for [God still loved them and wanted to help them.] a special purpose—to help Say Even before Samson was born, God had told his parents that he the Israelites by fighting would be a Nazirite—set apart to serve the Lord. Many people against the Philistines. God today think that things in their lives happen by chance, by does not want us to get accident. even with others; he wants us to show love to others. Ask What do we believers know? [We know that God is in control of (See Mark 12:31a.) all things. Just as God had plans for Samson, he has plans for each of his people and has given us the abilities we need to carry out his 3. Disagree. Following the plans.] rules for a Nazirite would not give a person super What request of Samson’s made his parents unhappy? [Samson strength. God gave Samson asked to marry an unbelieving Philistine woman.] his strength. Why didn’t God want his people to marry unbelievers? 4. Agree. [Unbelievers might tempt God’s people to worship false gods.] Say But even though God didn’t want his people to marry 5. Disagree. We can’t get into unbelievers, God would make Samson’s marriage work for heaven by helping others. good. We will go to heaven because Jesus suffered and Ask How was Samson able to defend himself when a lion attacked died for our sins. Now we him one day? [He used his strength to tear the lion apart with his thank him and show our bare hands.] love for God by helping others. How does this show that Samson’s strength was from God? [A man with ordinary strength isn’t strong enough to kill a lion with his bare hands.]
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 3 25 3 Do Ask each child to list on paper three abilities that God has 6. Disagree. Children can serve given him or her. Encourage the children to help classmates God in many ways, using the who are having difficulty listing their own abilities. Then write abilities they already have. on the board some of the abilities the children listed. 7. Agree. Say At his wedding, Samson challenged 30 Philistine men to solve his riddle: “Out of the eater came something to eat. Out of the When you are done discussing strong one came something sweet.” each statement, have the groups add up their scores to see how Ask What did the men have to figure out to solve the riddle? [What they did! the “eater”/“strong one” and the “something to eat”/“something sweet” were.] Say The Philistines threatened Samson’s new wife in order to get the answer to the riddle. But Samson knew what they had done, and he was furious! Ask How did Samson get clothes for the 30 men? [He killed 30 Philistine men, took their clothes, and gave them to the men who answered the riddle.] Why did God allow Samson to do this? [God was using Samson to help his people fight against the Philistines.] What did Samson later do with three hundred foxes? [He tied their tails together in pairs, tied a torch to each pair of tails, lit the torches, and set the foxes loose to burn the Philistines’ crops. How does what Samson did show that God was helping him? [Foxes run very quickly. It would normally be impossible for one man to catch three hundred foxes and tie them together.] When Samson hid in a cave, why did the Israelites want to turn him over to the Philistines? [They were afraid the Philistines were going to punish them because of what Samson had done.] How did Samson use his great strength this time? [He broke through the ropes on his arms and used a donkey’s jawbone to For especially kill a thousand Philistines.] important Say God gave Samson the strength to kill 30 Philistines, to destroy questions, the Philistines’ crops, and then to kill a thousand of them. give all children a chance to Ask Why did God give Samson such great strength? [God gave respond first by telling Samson this great strength to use against the Philistines, the Israelites’ enemy.] their answers to partners, then sharing them with Say God gave Samson great strength for a special reason—so that he the class. could help the Israelites by fighting against the Philistines. One reason God gives you the abilities you have is so that you can serve him by helping others.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 3 26 3 Do Refer to the list of abilities on the board. Ask the children how they could use these abilities to help others. Examples: Say Last week we • Sing well or play an instrument—can sing or play an heard the amazing instrument to cheer a sad elderly neighbor or to help story of how God helped Gideon beautify a worship service for other Christians. defeat the Midianites with an army of only three hundred men. • Play sports—can use that athletic ability to help younger children learn sports or to do jobs for those who need Ask How many men were in help (good runner can run errands, strong person can the army God sent to help the shovel snow, etc.). Israelites when the Philistines • Write well—can write cheerful notes to people who are ruled over them? [Only one— lonesome or sick. Samson!] How was Samson able to be a one-man army? [God Ask Why do we want to use our abilities to serve others? [To show gave Samson strength to fight love for God and to thank him for sending Jesus to save us.] against the Philistines.] How are we able to help others? [God gives us the abilities that he wants us to use to help others.] Ask Which enemy ruled over the Israelites at the time of our Say Let’s gladly use our abilities lesson? [The Philistines.] Say to help others! Even though the Israelites had sinned against him, God showed Do them love and mercy. Sing “O God of Mercy, God Ask of Might” (hymn 499). With this How did God help the Israelites when the Philistines ruled hymn the children pray that God over them? [God gave Samson strength to fight against the would teach them to show love Philistines.] for him by helping other people. How are we able to help others? [God gives us the abilities that he wants us to use to help others.] Say Let’s gladly use our abilities to help others! Do Pray: Gracious God, you continue to shower us with your love and mercy. Thank you for all the abilities you have given each of us. Help us show our love for you by using those abilities to help others. Amen.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 3 27 3 * Isaiah 43:11 Although Samson was chosen by God to lead the Israelites, he didn’t always lead a pure and decent life. His sins caused him many troubles. God wants us to glorify and honor him in all aspects of our lives. * Hymn 304:1✝ Jesus sinners does receive; Oh, may all this saying ponder Who in sin’s delusions live And from God and heaven wander. Here is hope for all who grieve— Jesus sinners does receive. This hymn reminds us that even though we sin— * The Sixth Commandment including the sin of not helping others as we should— You shall not commit adultery. God receives us as his children for Jesus’ sake. What does this mean? ✝ Because of space limitations, the text of the We should fear and love God that we lead a pure memory treasure hymn is not in the student lesson. and decent life in words and actions, and that For hymn texts, use the hymnal or the electronic husband and wife love and honor each other. memory treasure files for your grade level.
• Ask the children to name at •Use Activity 2 to give the children the least five ways God has opportunity to use their God-given abilities helped and still helps them. to help others. Then lead a spontaneous • Close by singing “Let Me Be Your Servant, prayer, specifically thanking God for helping in Jesus” (Copy Masters 3.1 and 3.2). these ways. t •Use Activity 1 under Lesson Activities to review the story.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 3 28 3 Lesson Activities 3. Music 1. Review “Let Me Be Your Servant, Jesus” Purpose: To learn a song in which we pray that Riddles we would use our abilities to help others. Purpose: To review the lesson by writing and solving riddles. Procedure: Ask the children to name ways that they can use each of the following to help Procedure: Divide the class into groups of two or others: hands, feet, voice, ears. Then sing “Let Me three. Read the example riddle, and have the Be Your Servant, Jesus”t (Copy Masters 3.1 children solve it. Then quietly give each group a and 3.2). word from the word list. Have each group make up a riddle for its word. When completed, have “Make Me a Servant” each group read its riddle to the class so that the Purpose: To help the children pray in song that other children can guess the answer. God would lead them to serve others. Example riddle: I was blessed with strength, but Procedure: Sing “Make Me a Servant” (Let All the I wasn’t always wise. Who was I? [Samson.] People Praise You, Northwestern Publishing House). Word List As the children sing this song, they pray that God Israelites lion jawbone would lead them to serve and help others. Philistines bees riddle 4. Art Nazirite honey strength God foxes Helping Pictures Purpose: To have the children make pictures that 2. Application show ways they can help others. A Chance to Help Procedure: Have the children draw lines to divide Purpose: To give the children the opportunity to sheets of paper into four sections. In each section use their God-given abilities to help others. they should then draw a picture of a way they can help others. Procedure: Remind the children that God wants them to thank him for all his help by using their 5. Review and Apply abilities to help others, just as Samson did. Then take the children to help a younger class in a way Samson, the Strong Man that you have prearranged with the teacher of Purpose: To complete sentences about the lesson that class. Here are some ideas for helping the and to recognize ways to use abilities to serve God. younger children: Procedure: Have each child complete Copy • Help them complete a craft project. Master 4. The answers are as follows: • Help them clean their desks or tables. Part One: 1. God, 2. Samson, 3. strength, • Teach them a song your class knows—possibly 4. riddle, 5. foxes, 6. jawbone, 7. abilities, 8. help one with actions. Part Two: Answers will vary. • Match each older child with a younger one to read to the younger child or to help that child memorize a Bible passage.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 3 29 3 God Chooses (Challenge) 6. Other Ideas Purpose: To have the children learn that God We Are Reporters! chooses people, including them, to be his Purpose: To review the lesson by writing children and serve him. newspaper reports about it. Procedure: Have each child complete Copy Procedure: Tell the children to pretend that they Master 5. The answers are as follows: are newspaper reporters. Have them write reports Part One: Numbers 1, 2, 5, and 7 should be about the events of the lesson. Compile and circled. publish their articles in newspaper form. Following are suggested headlines: Philistines Part Two: 1. A/a, B/d, C/b, D/c; 2. student’s Trouble Israelites; Baby’s Birth Announced; name; Spirit (Holy Spirit); truth; gospel Samson to Marry; Man Kills Lion With Bare Hands; Wedding Riddle Unsolved; Foxes Destroy Crops; Jawbone Used to Kill a Thousand Men.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 3 30 See www.nph.net/christlight for Teaching Helps podcast information. Samson’s Capture and Death 4 Judges 16:4-30
How did God show mercy to Looking Back Samson? at Lesson 3 Samson’s Strength Even though Samson had been Judges 13:1-7,24,25; unfaithful, God made him strong 14:1–15:17,20 again. Aim: How did God help the Application: Even though we are sinful, God shows us mercy. Israelites when the Philistines Response: We thank God for his mercy by faithfully obeying him. ruled over them? Lesson Summary: Samson foolishly told Delilah that his hair was Truth: God gave Samson not to be cut. When Delilah had Samson’s hair cut, the Lord’s strength to fight against the strength left him. Then the Philistines captured him. But God Philistines. had mercy on Samson and restored his strength. Samson then served the Lord one last time by pulling down the Philistines’ Application: God gives us the temple and killing many of them. abilities that he wants us to use to help others.
Luke 18:13b Response: We gladly use our 1 Peter 5:8 abilities to help others. * The Sixth Commandment Lesson Summary: Before (with explanation) Samson’s birth, God chose him * Hymn 304:1 to help the Israelites when the Philistines ruled over them. God grindstone—a large, round stone that is blessed Samson with great turned to crush grain into tiny pieces strength, which Samson used to fight against the Philistines See Franzmann, Bible History Commentary: single-handedly. Old Testament, pages 329-331; The People’s Memory Treasures: *Isaiah 43:11; Bible: Lawrenz, Judges, Ruth, pages 166-175. *The Sixth Commandment (with explanation); *Hymn 304:1 Heavenly Father, so many things daily attack my faith, from my own sinful pride to Satan’s temptations. Thank you for forgiving and preserving me! Please continue to strengthen me through your Word. Hear me for the sake of my dear Savior, who gave his all for me. Amen.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 4
© 2013 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. 31 4
Alternate Lesson Plan
Sing: Sing “Jesus Sing: Sing “By Grace I’m Saved” Sinners Does Receive” (hymn 384:1,2,5). This hymn reminds us that we are saved by God’s (hymn 304:1,5,7) as a grace, which he showed by sending Jesus to be our Savior. reminder that Jesus loves and forgives us Pray: Merciful and gracious God, thank you for not giving us the undeserving sinners. punishment we deserve for our sins. Thank you for giving us forgiveness and eternal life instead through Jesus our Savior. Amen. Pray: Dear Jesus, when I feel sad about my sins, remind me of your great love. Help me To review the lesson of Samson’s strength, read the remember that my sins are sentences that follow. Ask the children to listen completely forgiven because carefully for the word in each sentence that is not you died for me. Amen. correct. Call on a child to repeat the sentence inserting the correct word. (The incorrect word in Write “mercy” on the each sentence is in italics.) board. Ask the children if they have ever gotten • God chose Joshua to help the Israelites fight the Philistines. [Samson.] out of punishments that they • God gave Samson great wisdom. [Strength.] deserved. Explain that, thankfully, • Samson used his great strength to fight against the Midianites. God allows this every day. Have [Philistines.] the children look up and read together Ephesians 2:4,5. Point Write “mercy” on the board. Explain that when God’s children sin out that the Bible tells us that God against him, they deserve his punishment. But God shows his children is rich in mercy. When we say that mercy—he doesn’t punish them as they deserve. Instead, he is kind and God shows us mercy, we mean forgiving because Jesus was punished for us. that God is kind to us instead of giving us what we really deserve. Ask what we deserve because of our transgressions/trespasses Today you will learn how God (sins). [Eternal death in hell.] showed mercy to Samson. Because of God’s mercy, he does not give us the punishment we deserve. Instead, he sent Jesus to die on the cross and take our punishment for us.
In today’s lesson we’ll learn about a sin Samson committed, and we’ll hear how Note: Remember there are To Do at Home activity options in God showed mercy to Samson. a separate file on the Teacher’s Guide CD.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 4 32 4 Tell the children that at various points in your telling of the story, you are going to stop and ask Note: You’ll need to use the the children to predict what will happen next. story in the adjacent column. Then stop each time you see the word STOP in the narrative, allowing the children to make their Before class, predictions. prepare stand-up figures by duplicating the God had allowed the Philistines to rule over the Israelites. But four figures from then God sent Samson to set his people free. God gave Samson Copy Masters 1.1 and 1.2 onto great strength. And Samson used that strength to kill many sturdy paper, cutting them out, Philistines. (optional) enlarging and/or coloring them, and attaching The Philistines were angry because Samson had defeated them so often. So when they heard that Samson had fallen in love with a them to small cardboard tubes woman named Delilah, they went to her and said, “See if you can (such as from toilet paper rolls). trick Samson into telling you what makes him so strong. Then Move the stand-up figures on a tell us so that we can capture him. If you do this for us, we’ll give tabletop to help depict the you a huge amount of money.” (STOP) lesson events as you tell the story. Examples follow: Delilah agreed to do this. She begged Samson to tell her his secret. But Samson didn’t trust her. So he lied to her, first by • Use the “Delilah” and “Philistine” saying that he would be helpless if she tied him with seven figures to depict the Philistines’ leather cords. Then another time he told her that he would be as offer to pay Delilah to learn weak as any other man if he were tied up with new ropes that Samson’s secret. had never been used. (STOP) • Use the “Delilah” and “Samson Each time, Delilah tied him up exactly as he had told her while with hair” figures to depict the Philistines hid nearby. Then she would call out, “Samson, the Delilah’s attempts to find out Philistines are here!” (STOP) But each time she called this out, Samson’s secret. Samson broke free as if he had been tied with threads. Then Delilah complained, “Samson, you’re making me look • Use the “Samson without hair” foolish. If you really loved me, you would tell me what makes and “Philistine” figures to you so strong.” Day after day she begged to know Samson’s secret. depict Samson’s capture. (STOP) • Stand two cardboard paper At last Samson couldn’t stand her nagging any longer. So he told towel tubes on end about 10 her, “My great strength is in my long hair, which God said inches apart and place a strip of should never be cut. If my hair were cut, I would become as cardboard across the top of weak as any other man.” (STOP) them to represent the Philistine Delilah quickly sent a message to the Philistine leaders. “Come at temple. Place the “Samson once,” she said. “Samson has finally told me his secret!” The leaders without hair” figure between waited until Samson fell asleep. One of them then slipped into the the cardboard “pillars,” and push house and cut off his hair. Then Delilah called out, “Samson, the the pillars away from each other Philistines are here!” (STOP) to depict Samson’s final act.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 4 33 4 As the Philistines came rushing toward him, Samson thought he Have the students would get away as easily as before. But he couldn’t. God’s strength help read this had left him. So the Philistines captured him with no trouble at all. lesson directly The Philistines blinded Samson, bound him with chains, and led from Judges 16:4- him away to prison. There they put him to work pulling a heavy 30. The girls could grindstone for grinding grain—work usually done by animals. read Delilah’s words, the boys The Philistine leaders were so happy that they had finally captured read Samson’s words, and you Samson that they wanted to celebrate. They came together with read the remaining words. other Philistines in their temple to worship their false god, Dagon. You will need five large They cried out, “Our god has helped us capture Samson!” word cards, each with While they were celebrating, some of the people shouted, “Bring one of the following Samson out here. We want to have some fun with him!” words on it: God’s, sinners, So Samson was brought to the temple. It was so full of people that kindness, to, undeserving. over three thousand of them had to sit on the roof. The whole Do Divide the class into small crowd laughed and made fun of Samson as he entertained them. groups. Give each group one of Then Samson said to the servant who led him, “Put me where I the two “why” questions below can feel the pillars that hold up the temple. I want to rest against to discuss and answer. Have the them.” groups share their answers with As he stood there between the two pillars that supported the whole the class, and allow other building, Samson prayed, “O Lord God, please give me strength students to offer ideas as well. this one last time.” (STOP) 1. Why was it sinful for Samson Then, with all his might, Samson pushed against the pillars. The to tell Delilah the secret of his pillars gave way, and the temple came crashing down, killing strength? everyone there. Samson was killed too, but he killed more of the 2. Why did God allow Samson enemy on that one day than he had killed during the rest of his lifetime. to be captured and treated cruelly by the Philistines?
[Possible responses:
1. Samson knew that he couldn’t trust Delilah because each time he had Say The Philistines asked Delilah to find out for them what made told her lies about what Samson strong. But Samson didn’t trust Delilah. made him strong, Delilah Ask What did Delilah do that showed Samson he was right not to had tried to make him weak trust her? [Each time Samson told her lies about what made him and tie him up. Yet Samson strong, Delilah tried to make him weak and tie him up.] put the wishes of Delilah above the wishes of God. Yet even though he knew he couldn’t trust Delilah, what did God had commanded that Samson foolishly do? [He told her that if his hair were cut, he would become weak.] Samson’s hair not be cut,
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 4 34 4 Say Samson put the wishes of Delilah above the wishes of God. God had commanded that Samson’s hair not be cut, and and Samson foolishly told Samson told this to Delilah even though he knew that he this to Delilah even though couldn’t trust her. It was almost as if he was encouraging her he knew that he couldn’t to break God’s command by cutting his hair. Samson showed trust her. It was almost as unfaithfulness to God when he did this. if he was encouraging her to break God’s command by Ask When are we unfaithful to God? [Whenever we sin against his commands.] cutting his hair. His long hair was a sign that he was Are we unfaithful to God when we put someone else’s wishes a Nazirite and that God before God’s? When we hurt another person? When we disobey was with him. By letting his our parents? [Yes, each time.] hair be cut, Samson would Say Delilah told the Philistines what Samson had said. When he was be unfaithful to his Nazirite asleep, they cut his hair. vows and to God.
Ask Why couldn’t Samson get away from the Philistines this time? 2. God wanted Samson to [God’s strength had left him.] turn from his sinful ways If you grow your hair very long, will you have super strength? and be faithful to the Lord. [No.] God loved Samson and didn’t want him to turn What, then, was really the secret of Samson’s strength? [God gave completely away from God Samson his great strength. His long hair was just a sign that he and suffer the punishment was a Nazirite and that God was with him.] of hell someday. God was Say The Philistines did terrible things to Samson. They made him also going to turn this into blind, bound him in chains, put him in prison, and made him good by allowing Samson to work like an animal. punish the Philistines one Ask Why did God let these terrible things happen to Samson? [God last time.] wanted Samson to turn from his sinful ways and be faithful to the Give each of five children one Lord.] of the word cards you have Do Tell the children the following story: made. Ask them to come to the Gino and Troy were close friends. One day Troy joined a gang. front of the room and hold their Then he seemed to enjoy sinning and didn’t seem to love God cards in front of them so that anymore. Gino tried to warn Troy about his sin. But instead of the other children can read their listening to Gino, Troy continued to turn away from God. One words. Challenge them to day Troy was arrested for stealing. It was a terrible experience arrange themselves to put the for him. But Gino said, “I’m glad Troy was arrested. I’m praying definition of mercy in order. that God will use this to help him.” [God’s kindness to undeserving sinners.] Ask How could God use Troy’s being arrested to help him? [Just as God used the terrible things that happened to Samson to lead him to repent, God could use Troy’s arrest to lead him to repent.] Do Ask or remind the children what repent means. [To be sorry for sins, trust in Jesus for forgiveness, and change sinful ways.]
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 4 35 4 Ask Why might God sometimes allow bad things to happen to us Ask the children whether these when we sin? [So that we see our sins and repent of them. God statements are true or false: wants us to stay faithful to him rather than turn away from him • Samson was so unfaithful that and go to hell someday.] he didn’t deserve to have God Say The Philistines had a huge party at the temple of their god, show him mercy. Dagon, boasting that Dagon had helped them capture Samson.
• We don’t deserve to have God Ask How do we know this wasn’t true? [Dagon was a false god and show mercy to us. had no power at all. God had allowed them to capture Samson.] Say Guide the children to understand After Samson had to entertain the Philistines, he asked to rest that both statements are true. by the pillars that held up the temple. Then he prayed, “O Lord Samson didn’t deserve God’s God, please give me strength this one last time.” mercy because he was a sinner. Ask What does this show us about Samson? [He knew it was God who But we don’t deserve God’s had given him his great strength. He now wanted to serve the Lord mercy either because we also by destroying the Philistines.] are sinners. Every time we sin, How did God answer Samson’s prayer? [By making Samson we also are being unfaithful to strong again so that he could knock down the entire temple.] God. Thankfully, God is merciful. Do He doesn’t punish us for our sins Tell the children that the next time Gino saw Troy, Troy said, “Boy! I sure messed up! I’ve done some awful things. There’s as we deserve. Instead, he sent no way God will ever forgive me!” Jesus to be our Savior and to earn forgiveness for our sins. Ask What could Gino tell Troy? [Gino could say, “You’re right that you’ve done some awful things. But God loves you so much that he sent Jesus to suffer and die for your sins. God forgives all your sins because of Jesus.”] Say None of us deserve God’s mercy. But God loves all of us and sent Jesus to earn forgiveness for our sins. Do Ask the children to list Bible passages which remind us that God sent Jesus to be our Savior. [Some possible responses: John 1:29b; John 3:16; and 1 John 1:7b.]
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 4 36 4
Say For Jesus’ sake, God shows kindness to Do Say the following, or write it on the board: “God’s mercy us, rather than punishing us as means that God is ______to us instead of giving us the ______we deserve for our sins.” Ask the children we deserve. to supply the missing words. [Kind, punishment.] Ask What is the word for that Ask How did God show mercy to Samson? [Even though Samson undeserved kindness God shows had been unfaithful, God made him strong again.] us? [Mercy.] How did God show mercy to Samson? [Even though Even though we are sinful, what does God show to us? [Even Samson had been unfaithful, though we are sinful, God shows us mercy.] Say God made him strong again.] We thank God for his mercy by faithfully obeying him. Even though we are sinful, what Do Join in the confession of sins found in the hymnal on page 26 does God show to us? [Even (Service of Word and Sacrament) or page 38 (Service of the though we are sinful, God shows Word). You can read the minister’s words and join with the us mercy.] children in reading the congregation’s response. Say We thank God for his mercy by faithfully obeying him. Do Luke 18:13b Sing Psalm 130 (hymnal, page 114). This psalm reminds us of God’s mercy and forgiveness.
1 Peter 5:8
* The Sixth Commandment You shall not commit adultery. What does this mean? We should fear and love God that we lead a pure and decent life in words and actions, and that husband and wife love and honor each other. We sin against this commandment with our sinful words and actions. God forgives these sins also because of Jesus our Savior. * Hymn 304:1 Jesus sinners does receive; Oh, may all this saying ponder Who in sin’s delusions live And from God and heaven wander. Here is hope for all who grieve— Jesus sinners does receive.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 4 37 4
• Sing Psalm 51a (hymnal, understanding of the concept of mercy. At the page 86) as a prayer for end of the activity, ask the children to tell why God’s mercy. we need God’s mercy. [We have all sinned against God more times than we can count, and we •Use Activity 1 under deserve the punishment of hell.] Ask why God Lesson Activities to shows us mercy. [Jesus took the punishment for review the story. our sins when he died on the cross.] • Ask the children what one word tells what • Close by singing “Today Your Mercy Calls Us” God showed to Samson, even though Samson (hymn 339). This hymn reminds us of the had been unfaithful to him. Then have [Mercy.] mercy God shows us through Jesus. the children do Activity 2 to reinforce
Lesson Activities • Keep track of how many questions are asked, and make sure the children ask only “yes” or 1. Review “no” questions. Twenty Questions • The child who guesses the correct word gets Purpose: To review the lesson by playing a game. to be “it” next.
Procedure: Have the children play this game to 2. Application review the lesson: Write a Skit • Choose one child to be “it.” That child should select a person or group of people, a place, or a Purpose: To demonstrate their understanding of thing from the lesson and quietly tell you the the concept of mercy through skit writing. word(s). Examples of words from the lesson: Procedure: Divide the class into groups. Have Samson, prison, hair, Delilah, temple of Dagon, each group choose one of the four skit ideas grindstone, Philistines, chains, pillars, Dagon. from Copy Master 2, or assign a skit idea to (Optional: Also allow words from Lesson 3.) each group. Each group should use that idea to • The rest of the children can take turns asking write a short skit. They should then practice questions to try to guess the answer. They may acting it out and be ready to present it to the ask only questions that can be answered with class. Ask the audience to tell how each skit “yes” or “no.” They get a total of 20 questions. depicted someone showing mercy.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 4 38 4 3. Music • Draw a picture of Samson on construction paper. Make the figure about 4 inches tall, Hymns and Scriptures with arms extended as if pushing outward. Purpose: To help the children understand the Add a tab to the bottom of the figure. Cut relationship between hymns and memory out the figure and fold back the tab. treasures from Scripture. • Use cardboard tubes cut to size to make the Procedure: Explain that as pastors prepare worship temple pillars. Tape or glue the pillars in services, they select hymns that match the place in the diorama, and glue the Samson Scripture readings and sermon text. Point out that figure between them. some of the hymns in our hymnal have the same thoughts as this lesson’s memory treasure passages, • On a strip of construction paper, write a title Luke 18:13b and 1 Peter 5:8. Write the following or a sentence to go with the scene, and attach hymn numbers in a column on the board: 124:1; it to the diorama. 303; 431; 508:2. Have the children look up each (Optional) Have the children make dioramas of hymn and decide which of the two memory various scenes from Samson’s life, such as killing treasure passages contains thoughts similar to the the lion, catching the foxes, or having his hair cut hymn. [Hymns 124:1 and 303 match Luke 18:13b, and while asleep. the other two hymns match 1 Peter 5:8.]
4. Art 5. Review and Apply Mural Cross Them Out Purpose: To review Samson’s life by creating a Purpose: To review key words from the lesson class mural. and write a simple prayer for mercy. Procedure: Divide the class into groups, and give Procedure: Have each child complete Copy each group a large sheet of paper. Have each Master 3. When completed, all the words group draw a picture of a designated event from should be crossed out except the ones to form Samson’s life. When the children have colored this prayer: Dear God, forgive me. Amen. their pictures, connect them to form a mural of Samson’s life. Display the mural on a classroom or We Sin; God Forgives (Challenge) hallway wall. Purpose: To review the lesson and have the children learn what the Bible teaches about Shoe Box Dioramas God’s mercy. Purpose: To make shoe box dioramas depicting Procedure: Have each child complete Copy today’s lesson. Master 4. The answers are as follows: Procedure: Each child will need a shoe box (no Part One: Answers should be similar to the lid), construction paper, crayons, scissors, glue, and following: two cardboard tubes. Have each child follow these steps to make a shoe box diorama: Samson—I was unfaithful to God when I told Delilah my secret. • Cut construction paper the same size as the bottom of the shoe box. Draw a temple Me—I have been unfaithful to God and sinned background on the construction paper, and by fighting with my brother, telling lies, etc. glue it to the inside bottom of the box. Set the shoe box on its side.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 4 39 4 God—I showed mercy to Samson by answering 6. Other Ideas his prayer for strength. And I show mercy to you by forgiving your sins for Jesus’ sake. Memory Treasure Shuffle Purpose: To reinforce learning of the hymn 304:1 Part Two: 1. sin; 2. forgives; 3. praise/blesses, memory treasure. forgives; 4. Savior Procedure: You will need index cards and one of Part Three: Answers will vary. Possible responses the following: a magnetic chalkboard and magnets, follow: a bulletin board and thumbtacks, or a countertop 1. I sin against God; I disobey God’s commands and tape. Write phrases from hymn 304:1 on the index cards. Shuffle the cards and distribute them 2. forgiving my sins; sending Jesus to be my Savior to the children. Have the children bring their cards forward in the correct order and affix them in place. When the stanza is complete, have the children read it together. Repeat, encouraging the children to work more quickly each time.
Bible Study Copy Masters 5.1-5.4 contain an age- appropriate, theme-related Bible study. The Bible studies are from the original Christ-Light (© 1998) and use the 1984 edition of the New International Version Bible translation.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 4 40 See www.nph.net/christlight for Teaching Helps podcast information. Ruth’s Faith 5 Ruth 1
How did Ruth show that she Looking Back treasured her faith? at Lesson 4 Samson’s Capture and Death Judges 16:4-30 Ruth left her home among the false gods in Moab. Aim: How did God show mercy to Samson? Application: God wants us to treasure our faith and to avoid people who might harm it. Truth: Even though Samson had been unfaithful, God made him Response: We avoid close friendships with people who might strong again. harm our faith. Application: Lesson Summary: Through her marriage to an Israelite man— Even though we are one of Naomi’s sons—Ruth learned to know and love the true sinful, God shows us mercy. God. Ruth’s faith led her to leave her home, her family, and the Response: We thank God for his Moabite false gods so that she could go with Naomi and live mercy by faithfully obeying him. among God’s people. Lesson Summary: Samson foolishly told Delilah that his * Matthew 22:37 hair was not to be cut. When * Ephesians 2:8,9 Delilah had Samson’s hair cut, * The First Commandment (with explanation) the Lord’s strength left him. Then Hymn 348:1 the Philistines captured him. But God had mercy on Samson and restored his strength. Samson See Franzmann, Bible History Commentary: then served the Lord one last Old Testament, pages 332 and 333; The time by pulling down the People’s Bible: Lawrenz, Judges, Ruth, pages Philistines’ temple and killing 220-229. many of them.
What awesome things you have done for Memory Treasures: Luke 18:13b; me, O Lord! Yet I continually push you aside 1 Peter 5:8; *The Sixth Com- and let other things take priority in my life. mandment (with explanation); Forgive me for such idolatry. May you *Hymn 304:1 always be first in my heart. Help me avoid those people and things that threaten my faith. Surround me instead with those who encourage my faith. Amen.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 5
© 2013 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. 41 5
Alternate Lesson Plan
Sing: Sing “O Master Sing: Sing “Let Me Be Yours Forever” of the Loving Heart” (hymn 596:1). With this hymn we pray that we would never lose the (hymn 491). With this gift of faith. hymn we ask God to give us loving hearts like his. Pray: Holy Spirit, thank you for giving us the precious gift of faith in Jesus as our Savior. Keep our faith strong so that someday we can bless Pray: Dear Holy Spirit, thank you your name in heaven. Amen. for filling our hearts with your love. Help us always show love for you and for others. We ask Ask the children to name some things that are this for Jesus’ sake. Amen. precious to them—things they treasure. The children might name such things as jewelry, bikes, families, etc. You will need the time (Optional: Draw a simple treasure chest on the board line made from Copy and write their responses inside it.) Masters 3.1S and 3.2S (sections cut apart and taped end-to-end).
Ask the children to name two of Today you will learn about a woman named Ruth. Ruth treasured her faith in the true God. Listen for the judges that they’ve learned the answer to the question, How did Ruth show about. [Gideon and Samson.] that she treasured her faith? Have children point out these judges on the time line. Explain that the events of today’s lesson take place at the time of the judges. Ask a child to point out Ruth on the time line.
Today we’ll answer the question, How did Ruth show that she treasured her faith?
Note: Remember there are To Do at Home activity options in a separate file on the Teacher’s Guide CD.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 5 42 5 As you tell the story, pantomime the events with gestures, and have the children echo you by Note: You’ll need to use the making the same gestures. For example, you could story in the adjacent column. have the fingers of one hand walk on the palm of the other whenever someone travels (Elimelech’s Before class, family to Moab, Naomi toward Canaan, Orpah prepare the figures back to Moab, etc.). You could rub your stomach from Copy Masters when talking about the famine, and point toward heaven when you 1.1 and 1.2 by talk about the Lord/God. You could point your finger when Naomi duplicating them urges her daughters-in-law to go, and shake your head “no” when onto sturdy paper, cutting them Ruth refuses. out, and attaching a magnetic strip or tape to the back of each. Draw a wavy vertical line on the During the time that judges were ruling Israel, a man named Elimelech lived in a town in Canaan called Bethlehem. He and his board, and label it “Jordan River.” wife, Naomi, had two sons. Write “Canaan” on the left side of the line and “Moab” on the But there was a famine in Canaan. It hadn’t rained much for a right side. number of years. So the crops were poor, and there wasn’t much food for anyone. However, there was food in the land of Moab, a As you begin telling the story, country just on the other side of the Jordan River. So Elimelech took put the figures of Elimelech, his hungry family and moved to Moab. Although the people of Naomi, and their two sons in the Moab worshiped idols, Elimelech and his family remained Canaan area. Move the figures faithful to the Lord. across the Jordan River when you While his family was living in Moab, Elimelech died. Then Naomi tell how they moved to Moab. and her two sons were alone in a strange land. Remove Elimelech, add Orpah and Ruth, and then remove the Sometime later the two sons married young women from Moab. sons at the appropriate times. Their names were Orpah and Ruth. These two young Moabite Also show the women heading women learned about the true God from Naomi and her sons. back to Israel and Orpah turning After ten years went by, Naomi’s sons also died. Naomi then had back to Moab. neither a husband nor sons. So when she heard that the famine in Canaan was over, she decided to leave Moab and return to her Follow the homeland. Orpah and Ruth decided to go with her. They directions above, gathered their things and set out on the road that would take them but instead of back to Canaan. using figures on a board, have They had gone only a short way when Naomi stopped. She said to children silently act out the story Orpah and Ruth, “I think that both of you should go back home to your own families. Then you can marry again and have homes and as you tell it. Use name signs children of your own.” to identify Elimelech, Naomi, Mahlon (son #1), Kilion (son #2), Orpah and Ruth cried and said, “But we want to go with you.” Orpah, and Ruth. Put “Canaan” Naomi answered, “My daughters, what good will it do for you to go and “Moab” signs on opposite with me? There is nothing for you in Canaan. And I can’t help walls in your room, and use a you. Believe me, the best thing you can do is go back to your homes.”
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 5 43 5 The women cried again. Then Orpah decided that Naomi was rolled-up blue sheet or blanket right. She sadly kissed her mother-in-law good-bye and headed between those walls to back to Moab. represent the Jordan River. But Ruth did not want to go back to Moab, to her people, or to their false gods. She threw her arms around Naomi and refused to leave. Say To have faith Naomi tried once more to convince her. “Look,” she said, “Orpah is means to trust and going back to her own people. Why don’t you go with her?” believe in something. But it is important to trust in Ruth answered, “Please don’t ask me to leave you. Where you something that is not false. go, I will go. Where you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Nothing but death itself Ask Whom did Elimelech and will ever separate us.” his family believe in? [The true When Naomi saw that Ruth had made up her mind, she said no God and the Savior whom God more about going back. The two of them went on to Canaan. Whom had promised to send.] There they made their home together in the town of Bethlehem. did the people of Moab believe in and trust in? [False gods, idols.] Could their gods help You will need pictures of things people them? [No.] Why not? [Those value (or the actual items), such as family gods weren’t real.] members, money, video games, cars, abilities to do various things, and the like. Say We can have faith in Ask Although the people of Moab worshiped idols, what did various people and things. For Elimelech’s family do in Moab? [They stayed faithful to the example, we can have faith that Lord and worshiped him.] our doctors will help us get well when we are sick, or that our Say Just as the people of Moab worshiped false gods, many people cars will get us where we want in the world today don’t believe in the true God. to go without breaking down. Ask Why do you and I have faith in God and in Jesus as our Savior? But saving faith is faith that [The Holy Spirit has given us faith.] believes that Jesus is our Savior Do Point out that God has put in our lives people who see to it from sin and that only through that we learn God’s Word. Have the children give examples of him will we go to heaven. such people. [Parents, teachers, pastors, relatives, believing friends, Ask If someone says he has etc.] Then show and name things we value, such as family faith in God, but he does not members, money, video games, cars, abilities, and the like. After believe that Jesus is the Savior, you show or name each thing, ask the children why their faith in Jesus is more precious than that. Let the discussion serve as a would he go to heaven? [No.] reminder that our time on earth is short and the things here Why not? [Only through faith in will go away. We receive eternal life in heaven only through Jesus as our Savior can we go faith in Jesus. to heaven.] Say Say Our faith is a wonderful gift from God, more precious than When Naomi headed back anything on earth. God wants us to treasure our faith. to Canaan, Ruth had to make a Ask choice: either stay with her own After Elimelech died, whom did Naomi’s sons marry? [Two women from Moab named Orpah and Ruth.]
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 5 44 5 What did Orpah and Ruth learn from Naomi and her sons? [They learned about the true God.] family in Moab, where she would Say When Naomi’s sons died and Naomi decided to return to have the best chance of getting Canaan, she thought Orpah and Ruth should stay in Moab to married again and having get remarried and have children. Naomi knew there was little children, or go with Naomi to chance of a Moabite woman finding a husband in Israel. So live in a strange land where she Orpah went home. would not be likely, as a Moabite, Ask What did Ruth do? [She threw her arms around Naomi and to find another husband. refused to leave.] Ask Why did Ruth choose to go Why was staying with Naomi more important to Ruth than with Naomi? [She loved Naomi. staying with her own family? [Naomi believed in the true God; More importantly, she loved most likely, Ruth’s family did not.] God, which is why she said, “Your God will be my God.” Ruth What temptation would Ruth have faced back in Moab? [She didn’t want to live among people would have been tempted to worship the false gods of Moab.] Do who would tempt her to worship Ask the children if any of them have friends who don’t believe idols. She wanted to live among in God and if those friends often tempt them to do things that believers.] are wrong. Ask the children who are not in that situation now to imagine that someday they are in a school, neighborhood, or Do Tell the children that Nikia job where the friends around them often tempt them to sin. met Josie in her gymnastics class. Josie invited Nikia to her Say You might think, “I love God, and I’m not going to do the sinful things my friends want me to do. It won’t hurt me to house. When Nikia came, Josie be with them.” wanted the two of them to tease Ask her little sister, watch a movie Even if you think this, how might you still be putting your her mother said not to watch, faith in danger? [If I spend a lot of time with friends who don’t throw stones at cars driving by, love God and who tempt me to disobey him, Satan could use these and say bad things about other friends to lead me away from God.] kids. Before Nikia left, she invited Say Ruth didn’t want to go back to Moab, where she would be Josie to come to Sunday school. surrounded by people who worshiped idols. In the same way, we Josie said, “That God stuff is for don’t want to choose friends who could put our faith in danger. babies.” Ask Does this mean we can be friends only with believers? [No. By Ask Why isn’t Josie a good friend being friends with those who don’t believe in Jesus, we may get the for Nikia? [Josie will probably keep chance to tell them about their Savior.] tempting Nikia to sin. Also, she Say However, if unbelieving friends constantly make fun of our might hurt Nikia’s faith by what faith or tempt us to sin, we may need to stop being friends she says about God.] with them. We don’t want to let anyone lead us away from Say our best friend—Jesus! It’s not a sin to be a friend Ask to an unbeliever. We want to be What did Ruth say about Naomi’s God? [“Your God will be my kind to all people and tell them God.”] about Jesus. But if unbelieving By saying this, what was Ruth showing? [Ruth was showing her friends constantly make fun of faith in the true God.]
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 5 45 5 Say Ruth confessed her faith in the true God. And she showed her our faith or tempt us to sin, we faith by choosing to stay with Naomi—one of God’s people. may need to stop being friends Do with them. We don’t want to risk Ask why it is good to be around other believers. losing our most precious [Possible responses: treasure—faith in Jesus! • Other believers can help us make decisions based on God’s Word. Ask What was the greatest blessing Ruth • We can learn more about God’s Word from other believers. received from being married to • Other believers can use God’s Word to encourage us when we the son of Elimelech and Naomi? have problems. [Her faith in the true God.] How did Ruth show that she treasured • Talking about Jesus with other believers can help us feel more comfortable sharing God’s Word with those who don’t know her faith? [Ruth left her home about Jesus.] among the false gods in Moab.] Say Say It’s good for us to have friends who can help lead us to Jesus God has also given us the and not away from him. And it’s a wonderful blessing to have gift of faith. families who worship the true God with us! Ask How does God want us to feel about our faith and protect it? [God wants us to treasure our faith and to avoid people who might harm it.] Ask What was Ruth’s greatest treasure? [Her faith in the true God.] Say We need to avoid close How did Ruth show that she treasured her faith? [Ruth left her friendships with people who home among the false gods in Moab.] might harm our faith. Say God has also given us the gift of faith. Do Pray: Dear God, thank you Ask How does God want us to feel about our faith and protect it? for giving us faith in Jesus as our [God wants us to treasure our faith and to avoid people who might Savior. Give us courage to turn harm it.] away from whatever would Say harm that precious gift. Amen. We need to avoid close friendships with people who might harm our faith. Do Teach the children this simple song, and sing it as your closing. (Optional) Sing the song as a round.
Text and Setting: © 1998 Northwestern Publishing House.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 5 46 5 * Matthew 22:37 * The First Commandment You shall have no other gods. What does this mean? We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things. The First Commandment reminds us that our God is the only true God. We put him first in our lives when we avoid things that might take us away from him.
* Ephesians 2:8,9 Hymn 348:1 Jesus, Jesus, only Jesus Can my heartfelt longing still. Lo, I pledge myself to Jesus, What he wills alone to will, For my heart, which he hath filled, Ever cries, “Lord, as thou wilt.” This hymn stanza reminds us that Jesus is our most precious treasure. We must avoid anything that threatens to take us away from him.
• Begin by singing the •Use Activity 2 (Friendship Grades) to help the memory treasure hymn, children give more thought to whether certain “Jesus, Jesus, Only Jesus” friends would encourage them in their faith. (hymn 348:1). • Ask the children to think of Christian friends •Use Activity 1 (Tic-Tac-Toe) under Lesson and family members who encourage them in Activities to review the story. their faith. Give the children a few minutes for silent prayers of thanks for these people.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 5 47 5 Lesson Activities Procedure: Ask what Ruth treasured more than anything else. [Her faith in God.] Remind the 1. Review children that Ruth didn’t want to stay in Tic-Tac-Toe Moab, where she would be tempted by the people around her to worship idols. Instead, Purpose: To review the lesson by playing tic-tac-toe. Ruth wanted to be with Naomi, who would Procedure: Play tic-tac-toe as follows: encourage Ruth in her faith. Ask what we can • Before class, cut 15 to 18 slips of paper, and learn from Ruth. [Choose friends wisely. Avoid write a question about the lesson on each one. being close to others who are likely to keep trying Put the slips in a container. to get you to lose your faith in Jesus.] Then divide the class into small groups. Give each • With masking tape, make a tic-tac-toe grid on group a duplicate of Copy Master 2 to discuss the floor. Be sure each space is large enough and complete together. When they are done, for a child to sit in. talk about their responses as a class. Emphasize • Divide the class into two teams. For each turn, that while it is not wrong to have friends who have a team member choose a question and try are not Christians (and it can even be a good to answer it. Decide in advance whether or not opportunity to tell others about Jesus), we need the children may ask teammates for help to to be careful to avoid those whom the devil answer the questions. uses to try to lead us away from our Savior. • If the child answers the question correctly, he Christians Encourage Me or she can decide where to sit on the grid. Purpose: To remind the children of the • The first team to get three teammates in a row importance of Christian friends. wins the game. Clear the grid and continue until all the questions have been asked. Procedure: Have each child complete Copy Master 3. The pictures will vary. The answers (Optional) Have each team think of questions to for the prayer are as follows: God, faith, friends, ask the other team. family members, faith, pray.
Stick Puppets 3. Music Purpose: To use stick puppets to help the children tell the lesson to others. Sing About Faith Purpose: To sing a simple song that celebrates the Procedure: Give each child one duplicate of Copy gift of faith. Masters 1.1 and 1.2. Let the children color the figures, glue them to poster board, and cut them Procedure: Sing the following song to the tune of out. Help them glue or tape a craft stick to the “London Bridge Is Falling Down”: back of each puppet. Encourage them to use the God gives me the gift of faith, stick puppets to tell the lesson of Ruth to their Gift of faith, gift of faith. families and friends. God gives me the gift of faith, And I thank him. 2. Application The following groups of words could be substituted Friendship Grades for the last line: “To know Jesus,” “And I love him,” Purpose: To help the children practice evaluating or “I’m a Christian.” (Optional: Have the children various friendships. make up their own four-syllable endings.)
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 5 48 5 4. Art Procedure: Have each child complete Copy Master 5. The answers are as follows: Friendship Booklets Purpose: To make booklets that remind the Part One: children of the value of their Christian friends Word search solution: and family members. Procedure: Give each child several sheets of white paper and a 9" x 12" sheet of construction paper. Have the children follow these steps to make friendship booklets: • Fold the sheets of white paper in half, and staple them together to form a booklet. Fold the construction paper to form a cover. • On each page, draw a picture of a friend or family member. Underneath each picture, write how that person encourages you to remain faithful to God. Part Two: Wordings will vary, but should include • Decorate the cover, and add a title such as “My ideas such as these: Faith in Jesus is the only way Christian Friends and Family.” to heaven, faith is a gift from God, only faith and Encourage the children to take their books home heaven last, etc. and share them with their families. 6. Other Ideas 5. Review and Apply Memory Treasure Shapes Ruth Shows Her Faith Purpose: To reinforce learning of the First Purpose: To recognize true statements about the Commandment and the memory treasure lesson facts and application and to remind the passages from this lesson. children that faith is a gift from God. Procedure: Have each child complete Copy Procedure: Have each child complete Copy Master 6. The shapes containing the words to Master 4. The answers are as follows: Matthew 22:37 and the First Commandment should be colored red. The shapes containing the Part One: Statements 2, 4, and 5 should be circled. words to Ephesians 2:8,9 should be colored blue. Part Two: Statements 1, 2, and 4 should be circled. Part Three: (child’s name), God (or the Holy Spirit), God’s Word
Search for Ruth’s Treasure (Challenge) Purpose: To review the lesson while completing a word search and express why we treasure our faith.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 5 49 See www.nph.net/christlight for Teaching Helps podcast information. 6 The Birth of Jesus Luke 2:1-20
Looking Back How did the shepherds show at Lesson 5 their joy at Jesus’ birth? Ruth’s Faith Ruth 1 The shepherds searched for their Savior, told others about Aim: How did Ruth show that him, and praised God. she treasured her faith? Application: The birth of our Savior is the most important Truth: Ruth left her home among reason for our Christmas joy. the false gods in Moab. Response: We show our joy by studying what God’s Word Application: God wants us to says about Jesus, telling others about him, and praising God treasure our faith and to avoid for saving us. people who might harm it. Lesson Summary: God arranged events so that Jesus was born Response: We avoid close in Bethlehem. Angels told the good news to the shepherds, friendships with people who who showed their joy by praising God and telling everyone might harm our faith. they met that the Savior had been born.
Lesson Summary: Through her 2 Corinthians 8:9 marriage to an Israelite man— * Portions of the Second Article of one of Naomi’s sons—Ruth the Apostles’ Creed (with explanation) learned to know and love the Hymn 38:1,2 true God. Ruth’s faith led her to leave her home, her family, and the Moabite false gods so that Palestine—the name of the Promised she could go with Naomi and Land, the land of Canaan (Israel), during live among God’s people. Jesus’ time on earth Memory Treasures: *Matthew shepherds—people who take care of sheep 22:37; *Ephesians 2:8,9; *The First Commandment (with See Franzmann, Bible History Commentary: explanation); Hymn 348:1 New Testament, Volume 1, pages 19-24; The People’s Bible: Prange, Luke, pages 19-24. Locate Galilee, Nazareth, and Bethlehem on a map.
Dear Savior, thank you for leaving your heavenly glory and coming to earth to redeem me. Forgive me for all the times I have failed to appreciate what you have done for me. Help the children and me grow in our eagerness to praise you. Amen. GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 6
50 © 2013 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. 6
Alternate Lesson Plan
Sing: Remind the Sing: Sing “O Little Town of children that God’s Bethlehem” (hymn 65:1,2). Point out that in this hymn we sing Old Testament people of Jesus’ birth, which took place in Bethlehem as God had promised. waited eagerly for the Pray: Dear Jesus, thank you for coming to earth to be our Savior. Savior’s birth. Then sing “Savior Use our lesson today to help us truly appreciate what you did for of the Nations, Come” (hymn us on that first Christmas. Strengthen our faith in you as we study 2:1,5), with which we express your Word. Amen. the same type of eagerness to have Jesus come to us.
You will need slips of paper and a small box. Yo u Pray: Dear Jesus, we marvel— will also need a prize (such as a fast-food gift card, are amazed—that you chose a candy treat, or a small toy) concealed inside an to come to earth through a envelope or box. lowly birth in a stable. Please Have each child write his or her name on a slip make your home in our hearts of paper, and put the papers into a box. Then draw a name from always. Amen. the box, and give the child whose name was drawn the prize, Ask what joy is. allowing him or her to look inside the envelope or box. Ask the [Great happiness.] other children how the winning child reacted when seeing the Ask the children to prize. [The child smiled, said thank you, jumped up and down, told name some things that could everyone what it was, etc.] Point out that when something good happens to us, we show our joy. bring them great joy. [Winning a prize, getting a straight-A report card, getting a new pet, When the Savior was born, the first ones to be etc.] Remind the children that told the good news were some shepherds. When shepherds are people who take they heard this news, the shepherds were filled care of sheep. Ask what types with joy. Listen carefully to learn how the of things might normally bring shepherds showed their joy at Jesus’ birth. shepherds great joy. [The birth of new baby lambs, finding a sheep that was lost, etc.]
In today’s lesson some shepherds had a much more important and wonderful reason to be full of joy: the birth of the Savior! Listen carefully for the answer to the question, How did the shepherds show their joy at Note: Remember there are To Do at Home activity options in a separate file on the Teacher’s Guide CD. Jesus’ birth?
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 6 51 6
Note: You’ll need to use the story in the adjacent column. When indicated in italics, have the children show with their faces how Before class, the people in the lesson might have make the felt at that point. following birth announcement card from a large Mary and Joseph lived in Galilee, in the northern part of sheet of construction paper: Palestine. They were waiting for Jesus to be born, as the angel had promised them.
A Sometime before Jesus’ birth, Caesar Augustus, the Roman emperor, made a law that all the people in the countries he ruled should be Child counted. Palestine, where Mary and Joseph lived, was one of those Is countries. The people were told to have their names written on Born! a list. In this way the emperor would know how many people lived in his empire so that he could tax them. In Palestine the people had to go back to the city or village from which their family had first come and have their names written down there. Since Mary and Joseph both came from the family of King David, they had to travel from Nazareth, where they lived, to Bethlehem, where David had been born. It took Mary and Joseph several days to make that 70-mile trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem. (Show how Mary and Joseph would have felt at the end of the trip.) When they came to Bethlehem, they As you tell the message of the could not find a place to stay. The inn (hotel) had no room for angel, work with the children them, because many other people had also come to Bethlehem to to fill in the birth announcement be counted. The only place they could find to stay was a stable— as follows: a place where animals are kept. Who: The Savior, Christ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born. Mary the Lord gave birth to her first child, a son—the Savior whom God had When: Today promised. (Show how Mary and Joseph felt.) She wrapped him in Where: Town of David strips of cloth and made a bed for him in a manger, a box that (Bethlehem) was filled with hay for the animals to eat. Parents: God and Mary That same night some shepherds were taking care of their sheep Have a child point in a field near Bethlehem. Suddenly an angel from the Lord out on a map, appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord filled the whole such as Copy area with light. (Show how the shepherds felt.) They were terrified! Master 2S, the But the angel told them, “Don’t be afraid, because I have good locations of news for you—a message that will fill the hearts of everyone with Galilee, Nazareth, and Beth lehem. joy. Today your Savior, Christ the Lord, was born in the town Name a place that is about 70 of David. This is how you will recognize him: You will find him wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.”
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 6 52 6 Suddenly there were many angels in the sky. They were praising God by saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, because he miles away from your location, brings his peace to the earth and he shows his loving kindness and tell the children that Mary to everyone.” and Joseph had to travel about After the angels had left them and gone back into heaven, the that far. Explain that because shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem right now there were no cars, they would and see this wonderful thing that the Lord has told us about.” have walked or possibly ridden (Show how the shepherds felt.) on a donkey.
So they left their sheep and hurried to Bethlehem. They found You will need pictures their way to the stable—and there they saw Mary and Joseph from Old Testament with the baby, who was lying in the manger! After they had student lessons that seen the child, they told everyone they met what the angel had said. All who heard were amazed by what the shepherds told depict wonders God has done them. (Show how the people who heard the news felt.) (such as creating the world, dividing the Red Sea, coming Mary treasured all these things in her heart and thought about down on to Mount Sinai in fire, them often. and making Jericho’s wall fall). Then the shepherds went back to their flocks. As they went, they Each child will need today’s glorified and praised God for everything they had seen and heard. student lesson and a duplicate (Show how the shepherds felt.) of Copy Master 1.
Do Ask the children to name ways that Jesus, as true God, showed his power in Old Testament times. Use the pictures to cue. Then ask the Say Caesar Augustus decreed that the people had to go to the children to look at the picture town of their ancestors to be taxed. on today’s student lesson. Ask Where did Mary and Joseph have to go? Ask [To Bethlehem, the town of David.] Does this picture show Do Jesus as the powerful, almighty Read together Micah 5:2. God that he is? [No. It shows Ask Why did God see to it that Mary and Joseph would travel to him as an ordinary, helpless Bethlehem? [God did this so his Word would come true.] baby.]
Say In Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph had to stay in a stable, where Say By his lowly birth, Jesus Mary gave birth to Jesus. His first bed was a manger. humbled himself to save us. Ask Why do we say that Jesus chose a “lowly birth”? Do Read together the [He is God’s Son, yet he chose to be born of an ordinary woman 2 Corinthians 8:9 memory in a stable, with only a manger for a bed.] treasure to show that—even Say An angel came to tell some shepherds about the Savior’s birth. though he is true God—Jesus chose to become a baby to Ask Why did the angel say that this message would fill the hearts of all people with joy? [The Savior had come to save all people.]
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 6 53 6 Do Ask the children to finish this sentence: “Jesus’ birth fills me humble himself to save us. Point with joy because . . .” [Some possible responses: he came to save out that he did this out of the me; it shows me how much Jesus loves me; without Jesus I would great love he has for all people. be punished in hell for my sins.] Distribute the copy masters and Say Soon many angels appeared, saying, “Glory to God in the have the children draw “before highest heaven, because he brings his peace to the earth.” and after” pictures of 2 Corin - thians 8:9. In the top row, have Ask What “peace” would we have because the Savior had been the children draw pictures to born? [The peace that comes from knowing God has forgiven show Jesus before and after he our sins.] humbled himself for us. In the How did the shepherds feel after hearing the message of the bottom row, have them draw angels? [They were no longer afraid, but happy that the Savior pictures to show us before and had come to take away their sins. Now nothing else mattered after Jesus humbled himself to them, not even their sheep out in the field. They wanted to for us. see and worship the Savior.] Say [Possible examples: The shepherds went to search for Jesus, the newborn Savior. Do Jesus before: Jesus ruling Tell the children to search your classroom for a place (or places) in heaven where they can “find” Jesus their Savior. [A Bible, a Bible story book or lesson sheet, a devotion book, and the like.] Jesus after: baby Jesus in Ask Since we find our Savior in God’s Word, what will we, like the a manger shepherds, be eager to do? [To study God’s Word whenever we can.] Us before: a person sinning or Say You can hear God’s Word in church, Sunday school, and family going to hell devotions. You are also now old enough to read God’s Word Us after: a person going to on your own. It’s important to set aside some time each day heaven] to study God’s Word, to “search out” all that the Bible has to say about Jesus. Do Ask the children to show on Do Remind the children that the shepherds did find Jesus in the their faces how knowing that stable. Ask them to role-play what the shepherds did next. [The Jesus came to save them makes children should act out telling everyone they meet about Jesus.] them feel. [Happy.] Say Say The shepherds showed their joy by telling everyone they met The shepherds felt the that the Savior had been born. same way when they learned Ask of Jesus’ birth. They were happy, How can you show your joy in the same way? excited, and thankful. [We can tell others about Jesus.] Do Tell the children to pretend that you are a child in their Do Write on the board: neighborhood. Say, “I just love Christmas. Santa comes, and “searched, told, praised.” Then we get loads of presents. And we get out of school for at least divide the class into three (or a week!” Then ask, “What could you tell me about Christmas?” for a large class, six) groups. Have volunteers role-play responses. [Some possibilities: Assign one of the three verbs on the board to each group. “Getting presents is great, but the best present of all is Jesus. He was born at Christmas!”
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 6 54 6 “Yes, it’s great to have a week off from school. During that week, my family goes to special Christmas services at our church. We learn Each group should then work about our Savior Jesus’ birth. Would you like to come to one of the together to name a way the Christmas services with us?”] shepherds “searched, told, or Ask How did those who heard the shepherds feel about what they praised” and at least one way heard? [Amazed.] they can do the same thing. Why would this amaze them? [Because it was hard to believe [Examples of responses: that, after thousands of years of waiting, the Savior had finally Searched: The shepherds come.] searched for baby Jesus; Why did Mary treasure these events? [She knew that the coming we can search God’s Word to of the Savior was God’s greatest gift to all people—better than learn more about our Savior. any earthly treasure.] Told: The shepherds told What did the shepherds do as they returned to their flocks? everyone they met that [Glorified and praised God.] the Savior had been born. How had the message of the angel changed their lives? We can tell everyone we meet [They were never the same again. They had found the Savior. They about Jesus. couldn’t help but thank and praise God for what he had done!] Praised: The shepherds praised Do Have the children find items in the room they could use to God for sending the Savior. praise God for sending the Savior, telling the class how they We can praise God with our would use each item to praise God. songs to thank him for [Possible items: sending Jesus.] • Pencil—to write a prayer, song, or poem about Jesus’ birth Ask What brought the shepherds great • Hymnal—to sing Christmas songs of praise joy? [Jesus’ birth.] How did • Piano—to play Christmas songs of praise the shepherds show their joy at Jesus’ birth? • Money—to give offerings to thank God for sending the [The shepherds baby Jesus searched for their Savior, told others about him, and • Paper/crayons/markers—to make posters or decorations praised God.] What is the that praise God for sending Jesus] most important reason for our Christmas joy? [The birth of our Savior is the most important reason for our Christmas joy.]
Ask What are some things you do when something wonderful Say We show our joy by and exciting happens to you? [Jump up and down, say thank studying what God’s Word you, tell everyone about it, etc.] says about Jesus, telling others How did the shepherds show their joy at Jesus’ birth? about him, and praising God for [The shepherds searched for their Savior, told others about saving us. him, and praised God.]
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 6 55 6 What is the most important reason for our Christmas joy? Do [The birth of our Savior is the most important reason for our Close by singing “Go, Tell Christmas joy.] It on the Mountain” (hymn 57) Say as a reminder to joyfully tell We show our joy by studying what God’s Word says about Jesus, telling others about him, and praising God for saving us. others about Jesus’ birth, as the shepherds did. Do Have the children sing stanzas 9 and 13 of “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come” (hymn 38). Tell the children that as they sing the hymn, they are praising Jesus for choosing such a lowly birth (stanza 9) and they are asking him to always stay While they in their hearts (stanza 13). are working at their activities, let 2 Corinthians 8:9 the children listen to a recording of the “Glory to God” chorus (the song of the angels) of Handel’s Messiah.
* Portions of the Second Article of the Hymn 38:1,2 Apostles’ Creed 1 “From heav’n above to earth I come I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who To bear good news to ev’ry home; was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Glad tidings of great joy I bring, Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, Whereof I now will say and sing: died, and was buried. 2 “To you this night is born a child What does this mean? Of Mary, chosen virgin mild; I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the This little child of lowly birth Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Shall be the joy of all the earth.” virgin Mary, is my Lord. In these hymn stanzas we hear the message that the He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned angels told the shepherds. Singing these stanzas is an creature, purchased and won me from all sins, from excellent way to praise God for sending the Savior. death, and from the power of the devil, not with (Note: Martin Luther wrote this hymn for his own gold or silver but with his holy, precious blood and Christmas celebration.) with his innocent suffering and death. Jesus did not use earthly riches, such as gold or silver, to redeem us (buy us back) from the devil. Instead, the price he paid was himself—he gave his own blood for us when he died on the cross.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 6 56 6
• Sing “O Jesus So Sweet, • Close by praying: Dear Jesus, thank you for O Jesus So Mild” (hymn coming to earth as a lowly baby to save us. 366) as a reminder of the We confess that too often when we celebrate reason Jesus humbled Christmas, we think more about its fun himself to be born as a activities than the reason we celebrate. Lead little baby. us to focus all our Christmas celebrations on you. In all we do, we want to express •Use Activity 1 (Christmas Musical Chairs) our joy and our thankfulness that you came under Lesson Activities to review the story. to save us.Amen. •Use Activity 2 to consider ways to make Christmastime a joyful celebration of Jesus’ birth.
Lesson Activities You Were There Purpose: To complete a creative writing 1. Review assignment from the perspective of someone Christmas Musical Chairs living around the time of Jesus’ birth. Purpose: To have children retell the story while Procedure: Have the children choose one of playing a game. the options from Copy Master 2 to complete as a writing assignment. Have them cut out the Procedure: Have the children play musical chairs. chosen option, glue it to the top of a piece of (Make a circle of chairs with one less chair than lined paper, and do the writing below it. the number of children. Play music, and whenever you stop the music, the children 2. Application should try to sit, eliminating one child per round.) Play Christ-centered Christmas carols for Family Christmas Plans the music. Whenever you stop the music and all Purpose: To focus on making Christmastime a children except one sit, have the standing child joyful celebration of Jesus’ birth. begin telling the Christmas story. Stop the child Procedure: Discuss with the children why Jesus before long, and have that child sit away from the is more important than any of the fun, but not circle. Remove a chair and continue the game, Christ-centered, Christmas activities they enjoy. having the next child who remains standing [Examples: Baking Christmas cookies is fun and continue the story from where the first child the cookies taste good, but you can’t get to heaven stopped. Continue until you have a winner and by baking. Getting presents is nice, but you won’t all the other children have helped tell the story. be able to take them with you when you die. Jesus
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 6 57 6 is the only way to heaven, and on Christmas we Suggestion: Toss out a challenge! Encourage the celebrate that he came into the world to save us.] children to compare the music on the puzzle Then divide the class into small groups. Tell each with the music of hymn 38. Have them fill in the group to pretend that they are a family. Their notes on the puzzle to match the rhythm of the “family” should plan their activities for the notes in the hymnal. Someone might even add coming Christmas season, making sure that an eighth rest before note number 9. their activities remind them that Jesus’ birth is the reason for the season. When they are done, “While by the Sheep” let each group share their ideas with the class. Purpose: To learn a song that retells the story of the shepherds and incorporates an echo. 3. Music Procedure: Teach the children to sing “While Piece It Together by the Sheep” (Let All the People Praise You, Purpose: To study the memory treasure hymn Northwestern Publishing House). Point out while completing a puzzle. the echoes in the song, which should be sung more softly than the rest of the song. The Procedure: Have the children use Copy Master 3 children could practice singing the echoes to study hymn 38, in which Martin Luther told softly, or a few children could stand apart the Christmas story. The children should begin from the rest to sing the echoes. by cutting out the puzzle pieces at the bottom of the copy master. Then do the following: 4. Art • Have the children find the stanzas (1-5) that are part of the message of the angels and lay Draw the Story the puzzle piece with the notes numbered Purpose: To have the children illustrate the 1 to 5 on top of the words “We hear the Christmas story. message of the angels.” Procedure: Have the children draw the events • Identify together the stanzas (6-8) in which recorded in Luke 2:1-20. This could be done Luther takes us along with the shepherds in a variety of ways: as they go to see the baby Jesus. Have the • Have each child illustrate all the events on a children put the piece with the notes large sheet of paper. numbered 6 to 8 in place. • Have each child illustrate just one scene. • Discuss which stanzas (9-11) describe how Collect these illustrations and display them Jesus humbled himself, and have the class put in chronological order. the corresponding puzzle piece in place. • On a large roll of paper, have the children • Discuss which stanzas give us a chance to make one class mural of all the events. respond to Jesus’ love: we pray (stanza 13) and we praise (stanzas 14,15). Have the children • Have each child design a stained-glass window put the last piece in place. illustrating a scene. Have the children use black construction paper for the outline and When the children have their puzzles assembled, tissue paper for the “panes of glass.” They have them glue the pieces down in the rectangle could also paint the scenes directly on the provided on the copy master. The completed classroom windows. puzzle will show the notes of the beginning of this hymn.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 6 58 6 5. Review and Apply the special service celebrates the birth of Jesus the Savior. Give God the Glory Purpose: To solve clues about the lesson and to demonstrate understanding of how we can show our joy at Jesus’ birth. Procedure: Have each child complete Copy Master 4. The answers are as follows: Part One: 1. King David, 2. Bethlehem, 3. stable, 4. manger, 5. strips of cloth, 6. shepherds, 7. angels, 8. everyone; Christmas message: Glory to God in Part Three: Answers will vary. Examples could the highest! include eagerly worship Jesus in church, sing Part Two: songs of praise, tell others about Jesus, read God’s Word often to learn about Jesus, and the like. Where . . . find Savior? the Bible How . . . God? sing joyful songs to God 6. Other Ideas Whom . . . Jesus? everyone you know Find Him in the Manger Purpose: To help the children learn the Second Search the Stable (Challenge) Article of the Apostles’ Creed. Purpose: To identify those to whom Jesus’ birth Procedure: Have each child complete Copy brought joy and to identify ways to show and Master 6. The hidden message is “Jesus came share Christmas joy. as a little baby so that he could save us. Let’s Procedure: Have each child complete Copy thank him by singing his praise and telling Master 5. The answers are as follows: others the good news of his birth.” Part One:
EMJ J B RP AQ HAFOMFR NK XRFSSEQGW I YUEHEK ES
ALLPEOPLE
PJEHMFJSJ
SHEPHERDS
Part Two: Drawings and answers will vary, but they should have something to do with Jesus or the manger or another biblical scene. Emphasize to the students that they will want to say more than simply that they are inviting others to celebrate Christmas. They will want to say that
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 6 59 NOTES:
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER 60 See www.nph.net/christlight for Teaching Helps podcast information. Jesus and the Centurion 7 Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10
Why did the centurion Looking Back go to Jesus for help? at Lesson 6 The Birth of Jesus Luke 2:1-20 The centurion trusted in Jesus’ power to help. Aim: How did the shepherds show their joy at Jesus’ birth? Application: As we study God’s Word, God increases our trust in him. Truth: The shepherds searched for their Savior, told others Response: We study God’s Word regularly. about him, and praised God. Lesson Summary: A Roman centurion’s servant was on the Application: The birth of our verge of death. So the centurion sent some Jewish leaders to ask Jesus for help. The centurion believed Jesus could Savior is the most important heal his servant by merely speaking a word. Jesus praised reason for our Christmas joy. the centurion’s faith and healed his servant. Response: We show our joy by studying what God’s Word * Proverbs 3:5a says about Jesus, telling others Galatians 3:26 about him, and praising God * The Third Commandment for saving us. (with explanation) Lesson Summary: God arranged events so that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Angels told the centurion—a Roman army officer who good news to the shepherds, commanded one hundred men who showed their joy by synagogue—a building in which the Jews praising God and telling gathered to worship God and study his Word everyone they met that the Savior had been born.
See Franzmann, Bible History Commentary: Memory Treasures: 2 Corinthians New Testament, Volume 1, pages 276-280; 8:9; *Portions of the Second The People’s Bible: Albrecht, Matthew, pages Article of the Apostles’ Creed 119-121; Prange, Luke, pages 75-77. (with explanation); Hymn 38:1,2 Locate Capernaum on a map.
Dear God, sometimes I don’t trust you as much as I should. For this I ask your forgiveness. As I present this lesson to your dear children, help us grow in faith so that we trust you more and more. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 7
© 2013 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. 61 7
Alternate Lesson Plan
Sing: Sing Psalm 23 Sing: Have the children open their (hymnal, page 72), hymnals to “I Am Trusting You, Lord Jesus” (hymn 446). Ask them which reminds us with what words each stanza begins. [With the words “I am trusting that we can trust in you.”] Also ask them to name some of the things we trust in Jesus Jesus, our Good Shepherd, to for. [Salvation, pardon, grace, mercy, guidance, power, and all our needs.] take care of all our needs. Then sing the hymn (stanzas 1,2,4-6). Pray: Loving Shepherd, thank Pray: Dear Jesus, thank you for taking care of all our needs. Send you for caring for us, your sheep. your Holy Spirit to strengthen our faith so that we trust in you Teach us to follow you always, always.Amen. trusting in you for every need. Amen. Ask the children to tell whom they would go to Tell the children to for help in each of these situations: imagine that a lady they know has had • If they were having trouble with schoolwork. a terrible accident. While she [Teacher, parents, older sibling, etc.] is in the hospital, the children • If they were feeling sick. [Parents, doctor, school go to visit her. But when they nurse, etc.] want to pray with her, she says, • If they needed advice on good books to read. [Friends, siblings, “Don’t worry about that. I’ll librarian, etc.] be fine. I have great doctors.” Ask whom the lady is trusting Ask the children to tell why they named these people. [They are for help. [The doctors.] Ask people who know how to help, we trust them, etc.] who could help her even more. [Jesus.] Today you will learn about a centurion—a Roman Today you’ll hear army officer who commanded a hundred men. about a centurion When he had a problem, he went to Jesus for with a problem. help.You’ll hear why the centurion went to This man went to Jesus for help. the best helper of all: Jesus. Let’s answer the question, Why did the centurion go to Jesus for help?
Note: Remember there are To Do at Home activity options in a separate file on the Teacher’s Guide CD.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 7 62 7 Allow the children to follow along on their student lessons as you tell the story. Ask Note: You’ll need to use the them to listen for and underline examples story in the adjacent column. of the centurion showing his faith. Examples: he wanted to help his servant, sent the leaders Project the to Jesus for help, was kind to God’s people, figures from gave money to build the synagogue, sent friends Copy Master 1 to Jesus, said that he wasn’t worthy to have Jesus come into his house, as you tell the and trusted that Jesus could help with only his words. story. (One possibility: Duplicate the figures When Jesus grew up, he went about preaching and teaching onto a transparency, cut them in many cities and had once again returned to his new home apart, and show them on an city of Capernaum. overhead projector.) To begin the lesson, project the figures A centurion, a Roman army officer, lived in Capernaum. The of Jesus and his disciples near centurion had a servant who was very sick and about to die. The centurion cared about this servant and wanted to help him. the bottom of the projection area. Add the houses near The centurion had heard about Jesus. So he asked some of the the top when you mention religious leaders of the Jews to take a message to Jesus. In the Capernaum. Place the centurion message he said, “Lord, my servant is very sick. He is in such and his servant (lying down) in terrible pain that he can’t even move. Please heal him.” the middle house. Move the The leaders begged Jesus to come and help the centurion. “This religious leaders and the friends man really deserves your help,” they said. “He has been very kind from near the centurion’s house to our people. He even gave us enough money so that we could to Jesus and back again at the build our synagogue.” appropriate times in the lesson. Jesus said, “I will go and heal him,” and he went along with the Stand the servant upright when Jewish leaders. he has been healed.
Jesus wasn’t too far from the centurion’s house when the Ask a child to centurion found out that he was coming. So the centurion find the location sent some of his friends to meet Jesus and tell him, “Lord, don’t of Capernaum on go to any more trouble for me. I don’t deserve to have you a map, such as come into my house. I didn’t even consider myself worthy to come and meet with you in person. Copy Master 2S. “All you have to do is say the word, and my servant will be healed. I know this because I have officers who give orders to me, and I have to obey them. I also have soldiers who serve under me. When I give them orders, they must listen and obey. When I tell one of them, ‘Go,’ he goes. When I tell another one, ‘Come,’ he comes. Or if I tell my servant, ‘Do this,’ he does it. And your words certainly have more power than any man’s.” When Jesus heard the words of the centurion, he was amazed. He turned to the crowd of people who were following him and said, “I tell you, I have not found anyone among the people of Israel with a faith as great as this man’s!”
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 7 63 7 Then Jesus said to the centurion’s friends, “Go and tell the Each child will need centurion, ‘It will be done just as you believed it would be.’” eight craft sticks and When these men returned to the centurion’s house, they found out that the servant had been completely healed at the very a pen. same hour Jesus had spoken those words. Ask How did the centurion learn about Jesus and his power? [He heard about Jesus from the You will need duplicates of Copy people of Capernaum, where he Master 2. lived.] How do we learn about Jesus and his power? [By Do studying God’s Word.] Divide the class into groups, and give each group a duplicate of the copy master. Ask the groups to think of and write down Say List some things from our a sentence ending for each beginning. When the groups are lesson which show that the done, have them share their sentence endings. Examples: centurion had a strong faith. [He • The centurion needed help because [his servant was showed kindness to his servant sick and dying]. and to God’s people. He didn’t feel worthy to have Jesus enter • The centurion had heard that Jesus [had the power to his home or even to talk directly do miracles]. to Jesus. He said that Jesus • The centurion sent some religious leaders to [ask Jesus only had to say a word and the to heal the servant]. servant would be healed. Jesus said that he hadn’t found faith • The leaders wanted Jesus to help because as strong as the centurion’s [the centurion had been kind to the Jews and given them money to build their synagogue]. among all the people of Israel.] • The centurion didn’t want Jesus to come into his house Ask How many of you would like because [the centurion knew that he was a sinner and Jesus to have faith like the centurion’s— is God]. a faith that Jesus would call great? [Hopefully all the children will • The centurion believed that Jesus could heal the servant raise their hands.] How can you by [just saying the word]. get a stronger faith? [By hearing • Jesus said that the centurion’s faith was [greater than the God’s Word. The Holy Spirit faith of anyone he’d found in Israel]. works through God’s Word to • This was surprising because the centurion strengthen our faith.] [was a Gentile]. • The centurion’s servant was healed [exactly when Jesus Do Follow these steps to show said he would be healed]. the importance of studying God’s Word: Say The centurion had heard about Jesus’ power to heal from people in Capernaum. We learn about Jesus’ power from • Give each child eight craft God’s Word. sticks. Have the children print a different day of the week on Do Ask the children to name Bible lessons they’ve learned in each of seven sticks. On the which Jesus showed his power to help. [Possible responses include the stories of the wedding at Cana (Jesus changed
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 7 64 7 water into wine), Jesus calming the storm (Jesus showed power over nature), and the daughter of Jairus (Jesus raised her from eighth stick have them print the dead).] “Sunday only.” Say As we learn about Jesus’ power from Bible lessons, the Holy • Tell the children that if Sunday Spirit gives us the faith to trust in his power to help us in is the only day of the week we every need. use to hear or read God’s Word, Do Ask the children to list opportunities God gives them to hear we are not giving God much and learn his Word. [Attending church, Sunday school, vacation time to make our faith strong. Bible school, (and possibly Lutheran elementary school); reading Have the children snap the the Bible and Bible lessons; having family devotions; having someone “Sunday only” stick in half. talk to us about what God’s Word says; etc.] Encourage the Explain that a weak faith children to hear and learn God’s Word as often as possible sometimes bends or even breaks so that they, like the centurion, have a strong faith and trust when the devil tempts that in Jesus. person or when troubles come.
(Optional: If a church library is available, take the children to • Then have the children stack the look at various devotion books, Bible story books, or other other seven sticks on top of one religious books for children. If your church doesn’t have a another. Tell them to hold the library, perhaps the children could ask that one be started to sticks tightly together and then give them an opportunity to select from some appropriate try to break them. Point out that Christian reading materials.) the seven sticks stacked together are much stronger than the “Sunday only” stick. Explain that God wants to make our faith strong—so he wants us Say Parents, teachers, doctors, friends, and other people on earth to hear or read his Word every can help us in many ways. day. (Note: Even if someone Ask should manage to break the But who is the best person to go to for help with any seven sticks, point out that it problem? [Jesus.] was much more difficult than Why did the centurion go to Jesus for help? breaking the one by itself.) [The centurion trusted in Jesus’ power to help.] Ask What kind of What happens to our trust in God as we study his Word? power does Jesus [As we study God’s Word, God increases our trust in him.] have? [Almighty power. He Say Let’s study God’s Word regularly! can do anything.] Why did Do the centurion go to Jesus for Pray: Dearest Jesus, my faith is often weak, and I do not help? [The centurion trusted always trust you as I should. Forgive me for that. Help me in Jesus’ power to help.] What to hear and read your powerful Word, the Bible, so the Holy happens to our trust in God Spirit will use it to make my faith stronger every day. Thank as we study his Word? you for loving me now and always. Amen. [As we study God’s Word, God increases our trust in him.]
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 7 65 7 * Proverbs 3:5a
Say Let’s study God’s Word regularly!
Do Sing “How Firm a Foundation” (hymn 416:1,2) as a reminder that our faith Galatians 3:26 is solid when it rests on the message of God’s Word and that the Lord is with us at all times and in all places.
Before class, * The Third Commandment Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. practice telling the What does this mean? story until We should fear and love God that we do not despise preaching and you feel comfortable his Word, but regard it as holy and gladly hear and learn it. doing so. You will then be able to tell it in a way that keeps your students’ attention.
• Tell the children that you and defeating our enemy, the devil. Lord are going to lead them in Jesus, (we praise you). Dear Savior, send your an opening prayer. Each Holy Spirit to make our faith strong like the time you say, “Lord Jesus,” centurion’s so that we remain your followers they should say, “We praise all our lives. Lord Jesus, (we praise you). Amen. you.” Prayer to use: •Use Activity 1 under Lesson Activities to Dear Jesus, you showed your love for us by review the lesson. coming to earth to save us. Lord Jesus, (we •Use Activity 2 to emphasize the importance praise you). You showed your great power of studying God’s Word in order to keep faith by healing many sick people, including the strong. centurion’s servant. Lord Jesus, (we praise you).You showed the greatest love and • Close by singing “The Wise Man and the power of all by dying on a cross for us Foolish Man” (Copy Masters 3.1 and 3.2).
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 7 66 7 Lesson Activities 3. Music 1. Review “The Wise Man and the Foolish Man” Act It Out Purpose: To sing a fun song that reminds us Purpose: To review the lesson by acting it out. that our faith is strong when it rests on Jesus. Procedure: Have the children act out this lesson. Procedure: Teach the song “The Wise Man and Assign character roles (Jesus, the centurion, the the Foolish Man” (Copy Masters 3.1-3.2). sick servant, religious leaders, centurion’s friends, people in the crowd) and narrator parts. After 4. Art the class has rehearsed the play, it could also be presented to another class. (Optional: To use this Place Mats as a writing activity, have some children write Purpose: To make place mats that will remind out the story in the form of a script for a play.) the children at every meal that they need God’s Word to make their faith strong. 2. Application Procedure: Follow the steps below: A House on a Rock • Give each child two sheets of construction Purpose: Remind the children of the importance paper (different colors)—one 12" x 18", one of God’s Word by studying Jesus’ parable of the cut to 10" x 16". Draw a line down the middle wise man and the foolish man. of the smaller sheet of paper. (See diagram on Procedure: Ask the children to open their page 8.) Near the top edge of each half of this Bibles to Matthew 7:24,25 and read these sheet, have the children print “GOD GAVE verses together. Ask why the man was wise ME.” Near the bottom edge of each half, have to build his house on a rock. [It was a good, them print “TO MAKE ME STRONG.” solid foundation.] Ask what happened to his • Now have the children glue the smaller sheet house when a storm came. [It stayed firm and of paper on top of the larger sheet so that a did not fall.] Explain that this parable of Jesus 1-inch border extends all around the perimeter. refers to our faith. Our faith is also built on Starting at the lower left corner and going up, a firm foundation, a solid rock. Have the they should print around the border “JESUS children read Isaiah 26:4, and guide the MAKES MY FAITH STRONGER WHEN children to see that Jesus is the rock or strength I HEAR GOD’S WORD AT CHURCH, on whom our faith is built. We can trust in him. AT SUNDAY SCHOOL, AT VBS, AT Give each child a sheet of drawing paper. Have HOME.” (Note: Add or delete the appropriate the children draw a large rock at the bottom phrases to reflect your situation.) of their papers and label it “Jesus.” Each child • Cut out magazine pictures of food and glue should then draw a house on top of the rock them to the left side of the “God Gave Me” and write on various parts of the house ways sheet. Cut out Bibles from magazines or to build faith. [Examples: Read God’s Word. Have catalogs (or draw Bibles) and glue them to devotions. Listen carefully to sermons. Go to the right side. Cover the place mats with Sunday school.] clear adhesive paper.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 7 67 7
STRONGER WHEN I HEAR GOD’S WORD AT CHURCH, AT SUNDAY SCHOOL, 6. Other Ideas GOD GAVE ME GOD GAVE ME Look for the Books Purpose: To review the books of the Old and New Testaments. Procedure: Have each child complete Copy Master 6. The completed copy master should TO MAKE TO MAKE look like the following diagram:
ME STRONG. ME STRONG. JESUS MAKES MY FAITH AT VBS, AT HOME. AT VBS, AT
5. Review and Apply Trust Jesus and His Word Purpose: To review the lesson facts by circling correct words and marking true sentences about the lesson application. Procedure: Have each child complete Copy Master 4. The answers are as follows: Part One: 1. Capernaum, 2. servant, 3. leaders, 4. worthy, 5. word, 6. faith, 7. healed Part Two: A. Numbers 1, 3, 5, and 7 should be marked. B. Numbers 1, 2, and 5 should be marked.
Trust and the Word (Challenge) Purpose: To complete sentences about the lesson, recognize true application statements, and set a goal for increasing Bible study. Procedure: Have each child complete Copy Master 5. The answers are as follows: Part One: 1. Capernaum, 2. message, 3. leaders, 4. worthy, 5. word, 6. faith, 7. hour; Missing words: trust, grow Part Two: Numbers 1, 2, and 6 should be circled. Part Three: Answers will vary.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 7 68 NOTES:
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER 69 See www.nph.net/christlight for Teaching Helps podcast information. 8 Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand Mt 14:13-21; Mk 6:30-44; Lk 9:10-17; Jn 6:1-15
Looking Back What did Jesus teach his at Lesson 7 disciples when he fed more Jesus and the Centurion than five thousand people? Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10 Jesus taught his disciples to Aim: Why did the centurion trust in him for all their needs. go to Jesus for help? Application: Jesus will provide for all our daily needs. Truth: The centurion trusted in Jesus’ power to help. Response: We trust in Jesus to provide for our daily needs.
Application: As we study God’s Lesson Summary: Jesus spent the day teaching more than five thousand people. Late in the day, his disciples urged Word, God increases our trust Jesus to send the crowds away so that they could buy food. in him. Instead, Jesus used his almighty power to miraculously provide Response: We study God’s food for the huge crowd. He showed his disciples that they Word regularly. could trust in him for all their needs.
Lesson Summary: A Roman centurion’s servant was on * Exodus 20:11a the verge of death. So the * Psalm 50:15 Psalm 145:15,16 centurion sent some Jewish * The Fourth Petition leaders to ask Jesus for help. of the Lord’s Prayer The centurion believed Jesus could heal his servant by merely speaking a word. Jesus praised See Franzmann, Bible History Commentary: the centurion’s faith and healed New Testament, Volume 1, pages 311-315; his servant. The People’s Bible: Albrecht, Matthew, pages 213-216; Wicke, Mark, pages 93-96; Memory Treasures: *Proverbs Prange, Luke, pages 104-106; Baumler, 3:5a; Galatians 3:26; *The John, pages 89-92; read the explanation Third Commandment (with to the Fourth Petition of the Lord’s Prayer explanation) in Luther’s Catechism. Locate the Sea of Galilee on a map.
Gracious God, forgive me for my worrying, and help me trust in you to provide for all my needs. Enable me to assure the children that you are their all-powerful provider too. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 8
70 © 2013 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. 8
Alternate Lesson Plan
Sing: Sing “I Am Jesus’ Sing: Sing “We Thank You for Your Little Lamb” (hymn Blessings” (hymn 615). With this hymn we thank God for the many 432:1,2) as a reminder blessings he has given us. Point out that in stanza 3 we especially thank him for the blessing of Jesus our Savior. that Jesus, our Good Shepherd, provides for our needs, Pray: Dear Jesus, thank you for providing for all our daily needs. Help including food and drink. us trust in you for all things, especially forgiveness of our sins. Amen. Pray: Dear Jesus, you truly care for us as a shepherd cares for Point out that we usually ask questions when we precious lambs. Thank you for need some information or an explanation. However, giving us all we need, including sometimes people ask questions for other reasons. food when we are hungry and A teacher might ask students a question like “What water when we’re thirsty. Amen. is 2 plus 2?” even though she or he already knows the answer. Ask why a teacher would ask a question Remind the children like that. [To help the students learn the answer.] that while Jesus was on earth, he taught his disciples many things. Ask When Jesus lived on earth, he sometimes used the children to name some questions to teach his disciples. Today we’ll learn things Jesus taught his disciples about a time when Jesus asked Philip a question in in lessons you’ve already studied. order to teach him and the other disciples. Listen Examples: carefully to find out what Jesus taught his disciples when he fed more than five thousand people. [• We can always trust in Jesus. [• Jesus is our Savior.
[• Jesus has power over sickness.
[• Jesus has power over death.
[• Heavenly treasures are more important than earthly treasures.]
In today’s lesson Jesus teaches his disciples about trust. Be ready to tell what Jesus taught his disciples when he fed more than five thousand people. Note: Remember there are To Do at Home activity options in a separate file on the Teacher’s Guide CD.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 8 71 8 Before class make folded-paper visuals of five Note: You’ll need to use the loaves of bread and two fish by following the story in the adjacent column. directions on Copy Master 1. Show the bread and fish when you tell what Andrew said. Unfold When you the papers to illustrate how the fish and bread describe the multiplied. food the boy had, show five mini loaves of bread Day after day Jesus traveled with his disciples from one place (or large rolls) and two small to another, preaching and doing miracles. Crowds of people fish (toys or pictures). Talk about followed them and kept them so busy that sometimes they didn’t how many people could be fed even have time to eat or sleep! Finally Jesus said to his disciples, with that amount (possibly “Let’s go away from all these people for a while and get some three to five). When you tell rest.” So they got into a boat and went to the other side of the about Jesus giving thanks, Sea of Galilee. They headed for an area where no people lived. lead the children in a prayer But when the people realized where Jesus was going, some ran of thanks for their food. Then and some walked around the sea to be with him. When Jesus when you talk about the landed on the opposite shore and saw the large crowd, he felt disciples distributing the sorry for them. So instead of resting, Jesus taught the people food, have volunteers come about the kingdom of God and healed those who were sick. forward to get “baskets” (bowls Later in the day, Jesus’ disciples came to him and said, “It’s are fine) of “fish” (fish crackers) getting late, and the people have nothing to eat. Send them and bread (bread slices cut into away so that they can go to nearby villages and buy themselves quarters, small rolls, or even some food.” pieces of banana, pumpkin, or But Jesus said to the disciples, “We don’t need to send them away. cinnamon bread) to distribute You give them something to eat.” Then Jesus turned to Philip to the children. They can eat and asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” while you finish the lesson. Be Jesus asked this to test and strengthen Philip’s faith in him. Jesus sure to have the volunteers already knew what he was going to do. collect any leftovers! Philip said to him, “The money we have would not buy enough When you food for each person to have even one bite!” mention the Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up. “Here is a boy with Sea of Galilee, five small loaves of bread and two small fish. But how can have a volunteer that small amount of food feed all these people?” point to it on a map, such as Copy Master 2S. “Bring the food to me,” Jesus said, “and tell the people to sit down.” So the people sat down on the grass. More than five thousand people were there! Jesus took the loaves of bread and the fish and gave thanks to God. Then he broke the bread and the dried fish into pieces. He gave some of the food to each of his disciples to hand out to the crowd. Everyone was fed—in fact, there was enough food for all the people to eat as much as they wanted!
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 8 72 8 Then Jesus told his disciples, “Collect the leftover pieces so that nothing will be wasted.” The disciples collected 12 baskets full The children will of leftover pieces of bread and fish. need paper, crayons When the people realized what a great miracle Jesus had done, or markers, scissors, they said, “This is surely the Prophet (the Savior) that God and glue. promised to send into the world.” Ask When Jesus told the Jesus saw that the people were ready to make him their earthly disciples to feed the huge king—the kind of king who would keep doing such miracles to take crowd of people, how did care of their bodies and to put an end to all their worries. So he left they respond? [One disciple the crowd and went up into the hills to be alone. pointed out that they didn’t have enough money to buy food for the people. Another You will need a loaf of bread. found a boy with fish and bread but pointed out that it was nowhere near enough to Say After a busy time of preaching and doing miracles, Jesus feed so many people.] What suggested to his disciples that they go away with him and were the disciples forgetting to rest.Yes, Jesus needed to rest. do? [They were forgetting to trust in Jesus to help and to Ask What did this show about him? [He was a true man and at provide for the people.] times got tired.] Do Say Jesus and his disciples traveled to the other side of the Sea of Ask the children to name Galilee to rest. But when he arrived on the shore, the crowds some of the people in this world were already waiting for him. who want our trust. [Examples: People who use commercials to Ask Why did he teach and heal the people even though he was sell us things want us to trust tired and needed rest? [He loved them and wanted to take care that their products are good of their needs.] ones. A person who wishes Say When it was getting late, the disciples wanted Jesus to send to become the leader of our the people away to buy food. The disciples knew that the country wants us to trust people needed food. We also need certain things to stay that he or she will do a good healthy and safe. job. Our parents want us to Ask What are some things we need? [Food, clothing, a home, trust that they’ll keep their medicine, and so on.] promises to us.] Point out that, sadly, we can’t always trust Do Ask a volunteer to list or draw each item on the board as it is named. people. A product that looks Say good on TV might not be so Jesus gave his disciples a job that seemed impossible. He told great when we buy it. A person them to give food to that huge crowd of people. elected to be a leader might Ask Why wasn’t this really an impossible job? [If they had turned to not do a very good job. Even our Jesus, he, as true God, could have provided food for the people.] parents might not always be able to keep their promises to us. Why did Jesus ask Philip where to get bread? [To test and strengthen Philip’s faith.]
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 8 73 8 In what situations had Philip and the rest of the disciples Ask already seen Jesus’ power to help? [They had seen Jesus turn But whom can we water into wine, calm a storm, heal the centurion’s servant, raise always trust? [Jesus/God.] Jairus’ daughter, etc.] How did Jesus show the Say disciples that they should Yet Philip pointed out that even if the disciples spent a lot of money, it wouldn’t be enough for each person to get one bite. trust in him to provide for And although Andrew found a boy with five small loaves of their needs? [By using the bread and two small fish, he pointed out that it wasn’t enough boy’s food to feed more than to feed so many. In trying to think of a way to feed all these five thousand people.] people, the disciples only thought of earthly solutions—how Do Have the children read much money they had and how much food was available. together the Psalm 50:15 and Ask What shows that their faith needed strengthening? Psalm 145:15,16 memory [They didn’t even consider the idea that Jesus could use his treasures. Explain that God has almighty power to feed the people.] power to provide what we need. Do Point out the items listed or drawn on the board. Ask the Then tell the children that children to name times we might be tempted to worry about an artist sometimes uses a hand these things. [When our parents lose their jobs, when Mom and to illustrate how God provides Dad say they don’t have much money, when someone in the family for all our needs. Have the is very sick, etc.] children trace their hands Ask (fingers of each hand touching, How might God use such times to help us? [God can use times rather than spread apart) on when we worry about having what we need to strengthen our faith a sheet of paper. On each of and teach us to trust in him.] the ten fingers, have them write Say Jesus told the disciples to have the people sit down. a blessing that God has given Ask What did Jesus do before the food was handed out? them. [Examples: faith, Savior, [He thanked God the Father for the food.] forgiveness, family, food, clothes, home, Bible, church, How do we follow Jesus’ example today? [By saying prayers of friends, weather, our country, thanks before meals.] toys, knowledge.] Have them Say Jesus broke the boy’s food into pieces and had the disciples color the hands to match their hand it out to the crowd of more than five thousand people. skin tones, cut out the hands, Ask and glue them together as if What miraculous thing happened? [Everyone had as much food giving thanks to show our as they wanted.] response to God for all his What lesson should this have taught the disciples and the blessings. (Optional: Hang the crowd? [Jesus provides all that we need.] praying hands from your Say Jesus told the disciples to collect all the leftover food, and they classroom ceiling.) collected 12 baskets full.
Ask What was so surprising about this? [The leftovers were more than the amount of food with which they had started.] Say Jesus showed his disciples that he could provide more than enough food. Your parents would probably appreciate it if God
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 8 74 8 would miraculously make food appear on your dinner table each night. However, God doesn’t give us our food in that way. Do Let’s think about how God provides food for us. Divide the class Do into four groups, and Display the loaf of bread. Ask the children to think about this have each group look up one loaf of bread and tell how God provided it. [God sent sunshine of these passages: Mark 4:38; and rain to make grain grow in the fields. He gave farmers the ability Mark 9:38; Mark 13:1; or Luke to plant, take care of, and harvest the grain. God gave factory 21:7. Then ask the children to workers the ability to turn the grain into bread. He blessed the tell what Jesus’ disciples called truck drivers who took the bread to the store and the store clerks him in each of these passages. who sold the bread, and he made them all able to do their jobs. In most cases God has given us parents who work to earn money to [Teacher.] buy bread and all the other things that we need.] Again, indicate Say The disciples called Jesus the list or drawings on the board. Teacher because he taught them Say God provides all that we need for our daily lives. Let’s thank many things. God every day for the blessings he gives us! Ask What did Jesus teach his disciples when he fed more than five thousand people? [Jesus taught his disciples to trust in him for all their needs.] What Say In today’s lesson Jesus asked Philip a question in order to help can we also be sure that Jesus him learn. will do for us? [Jesus will provide for all our daily needs.] Ask What did Jesus ask Philip? [Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?] Say Let’s trust in Jesus to Say Jesus already knew the answer to this question. provide for our daily needs. Do Ask What was Jesus’ answer to the problem of feeding the people? Sing “Praise to the Lord, [He would provide food for them by using his power to perform the Almighty” (hymn 234:1,4,5) a miracle.] to worship Jesus for providing all we need. What, then, did Jesus teach his disciples when he fed more than five thousand people? [Jesus taught his disciples to trust in him for all their needs.] What can we also be sure that Jesus will do for us? [Jesus will provide for all our daily needs.] Say Let’s trust in Jesus to provide for our daily needs. Do Pray: Dearest God, through Jesus’ miracle you show us that we can trust you to take care of all our earthly needs. We thank and praise you for your goodness. Amen.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 8 75 8 * Exodus 20:11a * The Fourth Petition of the Lord’s Prayer Give us today our daily bread. In this petition we ask God for our “daily bread”— that is, not only for food but for all our bodily needs.
* Psalm 50:15
Psalm 145:15,16
• Sing Psalm 23 (hymnal, •Use Activity 2 to remind the children that page 72), which reminds God provides our “daily bread.” us that God takes care of • Close by praying the Lord’s Prayer together. all our needs. •Use Activity 1 under Lesson Activities to review the story.
Lesson Activities picnic basket or lunch bag. Divide the class into two teams, and have each team form a line. Give 1. Review the child at the front of each line a bell (or Fish or Bread? rhythm instrument). Purpose: To review the lesson while playing Tell the children that you are going to ask a game. questions about the lesson, and only the children holding the bells may answer. As soon as one of Procedure: Cut five bread loaf shapes and two them knows the answer, he or she should ring fish shapes (such as those on Copy Master 1) the bell. If the answer is correct, that team can from construction paper. Put the shapes into a draw a shape from the basket or bag. A bread
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 8 76 8 shape gets one point; a fish shape, two points. clothing, shoes, house, home, money, goods, (Return the shape to the container and shake the godly and faithful leaders, good government, container.) If a child answers incorrectly, you will good weather, peace and order, health, a good give the child on the other team a chance to name, good friends, faithful neighbors. answer correctly and earn points. Then the two 4. With thanksgiving. front players hand their bells to the next people in line and go to the back of the line. Remind the children that whenever we pray “Give us today our daily bread,” we are asking Play the game, asking a variety of questions from God for all that we need for our daily lives. If the lesson. Examples: time permits, give each child a paper plate. Have • What body of water did Jesus and his disciples the children write the words of the Fourth cross? [The Sea of Galilee.] Petition of the Lord’s Prayer around the borders • Which disciple did Jesus ask, “Where can we of their plates. In the middle of the plate, each child could either use crayons to draw a picture buy bread to feed all these people?” [Philip.] of a favorite meal or glue pictures of food cut • Which disciple found a boy with some food? from magazines. The children could also draw [Andrew.] pictures of some of the different kinds of earthly blessings God gives us (clothing, home, parents, • Whose brother was Andrew? [Simon Peter’s.] money, friends, etc.). • What did Jesus teach his disciples? [To trust in him for all their needs.] 3. Music
2. Application Feed Your Children Purpose: To familiarize the children with a hymn Our Daily Bread that can be used as a table prayer and add variety Purpose: To help the children better understand to the prayers they use. the Fourth Petition memory treasure. Procedure: Help the children learn hymn 616, Procedure: Have the children look up and read “Feed Your Children, God Most Holy,” to sing Matthew 6:11. Ask why these words sound as a table prayer. Challenge them to look at the familiar. [They are part of the Lord’s Prayer.] Point music before you begin and find places where out that since we pray these words often, it’s the melody is repeated. [Measures 1 and 3, important to know what we are asking for when measures 2 and 4, and measures 5 and 6.] we say “our daily bread.” Divide the class into groups of three or four students, and have each 4. Art group complete Copy Master 2 together. The answers are as follows: Class Big Book Purpose: To teach the children about the WELS Part One: Give us today our daily bread. Christian Aid and Relief committee and how we Part Two: can thank God for his goodness by helping others in need. 1. Without us asking for it. Procedure: Obtain information on the WELS 2. Even wicked people. Christian Aid and Relief projects. (The committee 3. Answers will vary. Children should choose has a brochure available in PDF for download, from among the following: food, drink, telling about its recent activities, or information
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 8 77 8 can be obtained by calling the WELS Trust in Our Teacher (Challenge) administration offices or checking the WELS Purpose: To review parts of this lesson from Web site.) Tell the children that one way we all four gospels and to name blessings that can show thanks to God for his goodness is by Jesus provides. helping others who are in need and that our Wisconsin Synod has an organization called Procedure: Have each child complete Copy Christian Aid and Relief. Money given to this Master 4. The answers are as follows: fund is used to help people who need food or Part One: 1. John 6:14,15; 2. Luke 9:11; who have been hit by natural disasters such as 3. Matthew 14:14; 4. Mark 6:41-44; 5. John 6:6 hurricanes or earthquakes. Have each child make a page for a Big Book about the current Part Two: Answers will vary, but could include activities of Christian Aid and Relief by doing such things as food, medicines, a home, good the following: weather, things to drink, clothes, and shoes.
• Give each child an 11" x 14" piece of paper 6. Other Ideas or a large sheet of construction paper. Pairs Prayers • Have each child draw a different picture Purpose: To write prayers of thanksgiving to of a current Christian Aid and Relief project God for daily blessings. (such as a church that has been damaged by a hurricane). Procedure: Have the children work in pairs to write prayers of thanksgiving that could • Have the children put captions on their be said before or after meals. Point out that pictures (for example, “Crown of Life in addition to thanking God for the food he Church is being rebuilt after a hurricane”). provides, they could thank God for other • Assemble the pages, add a front and back blessings they receive daily. cover, and staple the book together.
5. Review and Apply Spiral Spell Purpose: To review the lesson events and their application for our lives by completing a word spiral. Procedure: Have each child complete Copy Master 3. The answers are as follows: 1. JESUS, 2. SAVIOR, 3. REST, 4. THANKS, 5. SEND, 6. DISCIPLES, 7. SIT, 8. TRUST, 9.TWELVE, 10. EARTH, 11. HELP, 12. PHILIP,13. PEOPLE, 14. EAT, 15. TESTS, 16. STRENGTHEN, 17. NOTHING, 18. GALILEE, 19. ENOUGH, 20. HEALED/HELPED, 21. DAILY
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 8 78 NOTES:
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER 79 See www.nph.net/christlight for Teaching Helps podcast information. 9 Jesus’ Transfiguration Matthew 17:1-9; Mark 9:2-10; Luke 9:28-36
Looking Back What did the disciples learn at Lesson 8 about Jesus at his transfiguration? Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; The disciples learned that Jesus Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-15 is God’s Son and the Savior of the world. Aim: What did Jesus teach his disciples when he fed more than Application: Jesus is God’s Son and our Savior. five thousand people? Response: We treasure the salvation Jesus won for us by his Truth: Jesus taught his disciples suffering and death. to trust in him for all their needs. Lesson Summary: Peter, James, and John witnessed Jesus’ divine glory at his transfiguration. They heard Moses and Elijah speak Application: Jesus will provide for with him about his upcoming suffering and death, by which he all our daily needs. would redeem all sinners. And God the Father announced that Response: We trust in Jesus to he was pleased with his Son, Jesus. provide for our daily needs. Philippians 2:8b Lesson Summary: Jesus spent * 1 John 1:7b the day teaching more than * The Second Article of the Apostles’ five thousand people. Late in Creed (with explanation) the day, his disciples urged Jesus Hymn 103:1,2✝ to send the crowds away so that ✝ Because of space limitations, the text of the memory treasure they could buy food. Instead, hymn is not in the student lesson. For hymn texts, use the hymnal Jesus used his almighty power or the electronic memory treasure files for your grade level. to miraculously provide food for the huge crowd. He showed his transfiguration—a great change disciples that they could trust in in appearance him for all their needs.
Memory Treasures: *Exodus See Franzmann, Bible History Commentary: 20:11a; *Psalm 50:15; Psalm New Testament, Volume 1, pages 343-348; 145:15,16; *The Fourth Petition The People’s Bible: Albrecht, Matthew, of the Lord’s Prayer pages 244-250; Wicke, Mark, pages 124-128; Prange, Luke, pages 109-112.
Dearest Jesus, this lesson is very important because it shows that you are true God and true man and that you were obedient for our salvation. Thank you for all you did to save me. Help me teach this lesson faithfully with joy and thanksgiving in my heart. Amen.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 9
80 © 2013 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. 9
Alternate Lesson Plan
Sing: Sing “At the Sing: Ask the children to open their Name of Jesus” hymnals to “The King of Glory Comes” (hymn 363). Point out that (hymn 344:1-3,5). stanza 1 asks, “Who is the King of glory?” Ask who the King of glory This hymn reminds is according to the second line of that stanza. [Immanuel.] Explain that Immanuel means “God with us,” and ask who Immanuel is. [Jesus.] us that Jesus is our King, who Then sing the hymn together. created the world, became human, died, rose, and returned Pray: Dear Jesus, because you are our Savior, we can joyfully look to his heavenly throne. forward to being with you in heaven. Thank you for coming to earth to live, suffer, die, and rise again for us. Amen. Pray: Lord Jesus, you are truly our almighty King! Thank you for becoming one of us, dying You will need some potato chips and a candy bar. for us, and rising from the dead. Give one child some potato chips and another a candy Keep our faith in you strong so bar and instruct each of them to take only one bite. that someday we will see you in Point out that it’s difficult to eat just one potato chip your glory in heaven. Amen. or one bite of a candy bar. When we eat just a taste You will need your of something very good, we usually want more of it. Explain that driver’s license. in today’s lesson we will hear how three disciples received a taste of heaven when they saw Jesus’ transfiguration. Show the children Write “transfiguration” on the board. Tell the children that the word your driver’s license, and ask transfiguration means “to be changed in appearance”—in how you look. the children to tell ways it is used. [It shows that you can legally drive a car, and it is Today’s lesson is titled “Jesus’ Transfiguration.” In also used as identification.] it you will learn how Jesus’ appearance was changed Point out that you use your in a wonderful way. Listen carefully to learn what driver’s license to prove who the disciples learned about Jesus at his you are—for example, when transfiguration. you write a check.
Today we will see how Jesus gave some proof of who he is to his disciples and to us. Listen for the answer to this question: What did the disciples learn about Jesus at his transfiguration?
Note: Remember there are To Do at Home activity options in a separate file on the Teacher’s Guide CD.
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Note: You’ll need to use the story in the adjacent column. Display the pictures from Copy Master 1 Before class, cut a (cut apart) in order as you tell the events of mountain shape this lesson. from a large sheet of construction paper or poster One day Jesus took Peter, James, and John to the top of a high board. Draw horizontal lines to mountain to pray. As Jesus was praying, he was transfigured— divide the mountain into five that is, his whole appearance was changed in a wonderful way. sections. Write the story events His body became bright with a heavenly light and glory. His on the sections, as shown: face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.
God Just then another strange thing happened. Moses and Elijah, the Father two great Old Testament prophets, appeared and began talking said that with Jesus. They talked about Jesus’ suffering and death, Jesus is his Son. which would soon take place in Jerusalem. Peter wanted to put up three shelters. When Peter saw all this, he said to Jesus, “Lord, how wonderful it is for us to be here! If you want, I will put up three shelters— Moses and Elijah one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” appeared with Jesus. While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud surrounded them. Jesus was transfigured and shone brightly. God the Father spoke from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love. I am very pleased with him. Listen to him!” Jesus and three disciples went up a mountain. When the disciples heard God the Father’s voice, they were so terrified that they fell down with their faces to the ground. Cut the five sections apart and Then Jesus came over to them and touched them gently. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” When the disciples attach them in random order looked up, they saw that only Jesus was there, looking as he to the board. As you tell the usually did. story, ask the children to raise their hands when they hear As they were on their way down the mountain, Jesus told about one of the events on them,“Do not tell anyone what you have seen here until I the sections. Whenever they have risen from the dead.” do, have a volunteer move that section to build a mountain shape, bottom to top.
When you tell about God the Father speaking from a cloud, play an audio
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 9 82 9 You will need yellow construction paper cut into six circles, each about recording of a man’s voice 6 inches wide, to represent large coins. speaking the Father’s words. On each circle write one of the following: eternal life, salvation, a home in heaven, forgiveness, You will need eight everlasting joy, peace with God. Before class, hide the “coins” word cards, each with around the room. You will also need a box (or treasure chest) one of the following labeled “Won for Us by Jesus.” words on it: “death, glory, God, heaven, man, mountain, Savior, Ask How did Jesus’ appearance change on the mountain? [His face transfigured.” shone like the sun, and his clothes became as bright as lightning.] Do Distribute the word cards What was Jesus allowing his disciples to see? [He was allowing among the children. Tell them them to see his heavenly glory.] Say that you are going to say Jesus has the same glory as God the Father, but during his sentences about the lesson, earthly life he looked like any other man because he kept but each sentence will have this glory hidden. one word missing. The child Ask When will we see Jesus’ glory? [When we see him in heaven.] holding the missing word should hold it up. (If you have Do Have the children look up and read together Revelation 1:12-16 to look at a picture of Jesus in heaven as seen by John in a more children than cards, each vision from God. time a child has held up a card, Say have that child pass the card to Although they had gone to heaven hundreds of years before, someone without one. All cards Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus. except “man” and “heaven” will Ask How do you think the disciples were able to recognize Moses be used twice.) Sentences to use: and Elijah? [God allowed them to recognize the prophets.] • Jesus took three of his disciples Say Moses and Elijah talked about Jesus’ suffering and death up a [mountain] to pray. with him. • While they were there, Jesus Ask Why was it important for the three disciples to hear this? was [transfigured]. [So that when the time came for Jesus to suffer, die, and rise • The disciples were seeing Jesus again, the disciples would be strengthened by what they had in his heavenly [glory]. heard on this mountain.] • Jesus was joined by two Do Ask the children how they would respond to someone who prophets who had gone to said this: “I like learning about Jesus, but I don’t like to hear [heaven] many years before. about his suffering and death. It makes me sad.” Guide the children to see that it is important for us to learn about the • Moses and Elijah talked with suffering and death of Jesus since it was part of God’s plan Jesus about his suffering to save us from our sins. The most important thing for us and [death], which would to know about Jesus is that he is our Savior. If Jesus had not happen soon. died to pay for our sins, we would spend eternity in hell. We treasure the salvation won for us by Jesus’ suffering and death. • [God] the Father said that Jesus is his Son. Say Peter wanted to put up three shelters so that Moses, Elijah, and Jesus would stay on the mountain for a long time.
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Ask Why didn’t Peter want this experience to end? [Seeing Jesus in • The Father was showing that his glory must have been almost like being in heaven.] Jesus is truly the promised Say [Savior]. The disciples heard God the Father say, “This is my Son, whom I love. I am very pleased with him. Listen to him!” • When the disciples fell to the Ask ground in fear, Jesus touched Why could the disciples now know beyond a doubt who them and showed them he Jesus was? [They heard God the Father himself say that Jesus is his Son.] was no longer [transfigured]. • As Jesus and his disciples were Why is it comforting for us to know that God the Father was pleased with Jesus and the work he was doing? walking down the [mountain], [God the Father’s words assure us that Jesus truly is the Savior Jesus told them not to tell whom God promised to send throughout the Old Testament.] anyone what they had seen until he had risen. Say When the disciples heard God the Father’s voice, they were terrified. • Jesus’ [death] paid the price for our sins. Ask Why were they afraid? [They knew that they were sinners in the presence of the holy and powerful God.] • Jesus is true [God, man]. Say • We can be sure that Jesus is Jesus touched the disciples and had them get up. As they were on their way down the mountain, Jesus told his disciples not God’s Son and our [Savior]. to tell anyone what had happened until after he had risen. • We will see Jesus in his [glory] Ask when we go to heaven. What promise was in Jesus’ instructions to the disciples? [After his death he would rise again.] Have the children evaluate this Do Have the children go on a treasure hunt around the room, sentence: “During his transfig - looking for the paper “coins” that tell us what treasures Jesus uration, Jesus was changed from earned for us by suffering, dying, and then rising from the a man into God and then back dead.When all the “coins” have been found, have the children into a man again.” Guide them who found them read what they say to the class and then to see that Jesus was true God put them into your labeled box. Encourage the children to and true man before, during, and treasure always the gift of salvation that Jesus won for them. after his transfiguration. While on earth, Jesus usually kept the glory he has as God hidden. At the time of his transfiguration, he allowed his glory to show for Do Write “Son” and “Savior” on the board. Tell the children to his disciples to see. When we see use these two words to answer your questions. him in heaven, he will no longer Ask What did the disciples learn about Jesus at his transfiguration? hide his heavenly glory. [The disciples learned that Jesus is God’s Son and the Savior of You will need the world.] your driver’s What did Jesus show us about who he is? [Jesus is God’s Son license. and our Savior.] Say We treasure the salvation Jesus won for us by his suffering and death.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 9 84 9 Do Pray: Dear holy Son of God, you have shown us that you are our only Savior. Thank you for coming to earth to suffer and Ask What can I prove to you by die for our sins. Help us praise and honor you until we see your showing you my driver’s license? glory in heaven. Amen. [Who you are, and that you are allowed to drive.] Philippians 2:8b Say Jesus’ transfiguration provided proof of who he is to his disciples.
* 1 John 1:7b Ask What did the disciples learn about Jesus at his trans- figuration? [The disciples learned that Jesus is God’s * The Second Article of the Apostles’ Creed Son and the Savior of the I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius world.] What did Jesus show Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. us about who he is? [Jesus is The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven God’s Son and our Savior.] and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there Say We treasure the salvation he will come to judge the living and the dead. Jesus won for us by his suffering What does this mean? and death. I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from Do eternity, and also true man, born of the virgin Mary, is my Lord. Sing the hymn 103:1,2 memory treasure to praise He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, purchased and Jesus for his saving work. won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil, not with gold or silver but with his holy, precious blood and with his innocent suffering and death. All this he did that I should be his own, and live under him in his kingdom, and serve him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and Before class, blessedness, just as he has risen from death and lives and rules eternally. place all the This is most certainly true. supplies the children will Hymn 103:1,2✝ 1 Glory be to Jesus, need on a table. If you Who in bitter pains wish, have the children Poured for me the lifeblood pick up their supplies From his sacred veins. as they enter the room. 2 Grace and life eternal Having the supplies out in In that blood I find; advance will save valuable Blest be his compassion, class time. Infinitely kind. ✝ Because of space limitations, the text of the memory treasure hymn is not in the student lesson. For hymn texts, use the hymnal or the electronic memory treasure files for your grade level.
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• Begin by praying together •Use Activity 2 to remind the children that we the responsive prayer of the can be sure Jesus is God’s Son and our Savior. church for Epiphany found Then if time permits, have the children make on page 124 of the hymnal. window hanger reminders as described in Before beginning, ask if Activity 4. anyone has any special prayer requests. Also • Close by singing “How Good, Lord, to Be point out that this prayer reminds us of ways Here” (hymn 95), which speaks of Jesus’ that Jesus is the Light of the world. transfiguration. •Use Activity 1 under Lesson Activities to review the story.
Lesson Activities 2. Application 1. Review Peter Talks About It Purpose: To learn through Bible reading that after Mini Book Review Jesus’ resurrection, the disciples did tell about his Purpose: To make mini books that will review transfiguration and to receive reassurance that the story events. Jesus is God’s Son. Procedure: Give each child the four pictures Procedure: Have the children read 2 Peter 1:16-18 from Copy Master 1, a pencil, a glue stick, and tell ways Peter showed he was referring to and five 4" x 6" rectangles cut from light- what he saw at Jesus’ transfiguration. [He referred colored construction paper. Have the children to being eyewitnesses of Jesus’ majesty and to glue their four pictures toward the top of hearing God’s voice speak about his Son (while the each of the rectangles. Tell the children that disciples were on a mountain with Jesus).] you will briefly retell the story. As you do, Emphasize that Peter was sure that Jesus is they should listen for the parts of the story God’s Son. We can be sure also. shown in the pictures and write a sentence under each picture to tell what is happening. 3. Music When you have finished retelling the story and the children have their sentences written, “Let Me Shine” tell them to write the title “Jesus’ Transfiguration” Purpose: To sing a song that reminds us how on the remaining rectangle to make covers. Use Jesus died and now shines in glory and that a stapler to help assemble each child’s mini book. encourages us to shine by singing and telling of Jesus.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 9 86 9 Procedure: Teach the children to sing “Let Me Procedure: Have each child complete Copy Shine”t (Copy Masters 2.1 and 2.2.). Ask Master 4. The answers are as follows: them to tell some of the things the song says Part One: 4, 2, 1, 3, 6, 5 Jesus did for us. [Lived, died, and rose.] Point out that it reminds us that Jesus now shines in glory. Part Two: Answers will vary somewhat. Possible Then ask in what ways the song says we can answers follow: Jesus’ face and clothing shone with shine for Jesus. [By singing of his glory, telling his a heavenly light. Moses and Elijah appeared with story, and showing God’s love by loving others.] Jesus. God the Father said that Jesus is his Son. Part Three: Prayers will vary. 4. Art Window Hanger Reminders It Was Incredible! (Challenge) Purpose: To make window hangers as reminders Purpose: To summarize the lesson events and that Jesus came to earth to be our Savior. their meaning by writing a letter and to write a prayer thanking Jesus for salvation. Procedure: Duplicate the patterns from Copy Master 3 (enlarge if desired). Have the children Procedure: Have each child complete Copy follow these steps: Master 5. The answers are as follows: • Trace two cross shapes on purple construction Part One: Wordings will vary, but should relate paper and one sunburst shape on yellow ways Jesus’ glory was shown at his transfiguration construction paper. and tell of learning that Jesus is God’s Son and the Savior. • Cut out the shapes, being sure to cut out the inside pieces as marked. Part Two: Prayers will vary. • Glue yellow tissue paper to the back of one of 6. Other Ideas the purple shapes. Memory Treasure Puzzles • Glue the sunburst to the other purple shape. Purpose: To reinforce the learning of the • Glue the purple shapes together, lined up and Scripture passage memory treasures. with the tissue paper and sunburst on the inside (between the purple pieces). Procedure: Have the children look up and copy the memory treasures on the cross puzzle • Poke a hole near the top, and insert thread to pieces on Copy Master 6. Cut apart and make a hanger. mix up the pieces, and then put them together Point out to the children that the cross represents again. (Optional: To make the crosses more Jesus’ suffering and death and the sunburst durable, glue them onto poster board and represents his resurrection. allow them to dry before giving them to the children to cut apart.) 5. Review and Apply Miracle on the Mountain Purpose: To number the lesson events in order, to demonstrate understanding of ways Jesus’ glory was shown, and to write a prayer thanking Jesus for salvation.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 9 87 See www.nph.net/christlight for Teaching Helps podcast information. 10 The Parable of the Loving Samaritan Luke 10:25-37
Looking Back How was the Samaritan a good at Lesson 9 neighbor to the wounded man? Jesus’ Transfiguration Matthew 17:1-9; Mark 9:2-10; Luke 9:28-36 The Samaritan showed love to his wounded neighbor by helping him. Aim: What did the disciples learn about Jesus at his Application: God tells us in his Word to love him and to love others. transfiguration? Response: We show our love for God by gladly helping others Truth: The disciples learned whenever we can. that Jesus is God’s Son and Lesson Summary: An expert in God’s law tested Jesus by asking the Savior of the world. how to gain eternal life. Jesus referred him to God’s law and then told a parable. In his story, both a priest and a Levite passed Application: Jesus is God’s by a wounded man, but a Samaritan helped the man. Jesus told Son and our Savior. the expert in the law to follow the Samaritan’s example. Response: We treasure the salvation Jesus won for us by * Matthew 22:39b his suffering and death. Romans 13:10a Galatians 5:13b Lesson Summary: Peter, James, * The Fifth Commandment and John witnessed Jesus’ (with explanation) divine glory at his transfigura - tion. They heard Moses and parable—an earthly story with a heavenly Elijah speak with him about meaning his upcoming suffering and death, by which he would priest—a person who led the people in worship and offered sacrifices for them redeem all sinners. And God the Father announced that he Samaritan—a person who lived in Samaria, the land between was pleased with his Son, Jesus. Galilee and Judea; Samaritans and Jews usually hated each other
Memory Treasures: Philippians See Franzmann, Bible History Commentary: 2:8b; *1 John 1:7b; *The Second New Testament, Volume 1, pages 380-386; The Article of the Apostles’ Creed People’s Bible: Prange, Luke, pages 124-126. (with explanation); Hymn 103:1,2 Locate Jerusalem, Jericho, and Samaria on a map.
Dear Jesus, thank you for taking away my sins and giving me your holiness. Fill my heart with your love so that I may truly love others. Help me share that love with your lambs by all I say and do. Amen.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 10
88 © 2013 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. 10
Alternate Lesson Plan
Sing: Sing “Lord, Sing: Sing “The Law Commands and Open Now My Heart Makes Us Know” (hymn 286). This hymn talks about God’s law and to Hear” (hymn 282). gospel. Through the law we see that our hearts and actions are filled with sin. But the gospel is the good news that because of what Jesus With this hymn we did for us, we have full forgiveness of all our sins. pray that God will lead us to truly listen to his Word and the Pray: Holy Savior, forgive all our sins. Thank you now and forever for guidance it gives. making us holy through your suffering, death, and resurrection. Amen. Pray: Dear God, thank you for the gift of your precious Word. You will need a potato. Guide and bless us all today, and inspire our hearts to love Hold up the potato. Tell the children to imagine that they are helping their parents peel potatoes. and serve you more. Amen. They look the potatoes over and pick one that You will need a looks really good. Even as they cut the peel away, map showing the potato still looks good. But as soon as they cut the potato in half, Samaria, such as they see that the center is rotten. What had seemed like a perfectly Copy Master 2S. good potato really wasn’t. If the children are not familiar Ask how some people could be like that potato. [As we look at them with the term parable, explain and their lives, they seem to be good people, but their hearts are full of that it is an earthly story with sin because they don’t believe in Jesus.] Point out that only God can see inside and know what hearts are really like. a heavenly meaning—a story from everyday life that explains a truth about God or his kingdom. In our lesson today, Jesus looks into a man’s heart If the children are not familiar and sees his lack of love for God and for others. with the term Samaritan, have a To teach this man, Jesus tells a parable (an earthly volunteer use a map to point out story with a heavenly meaning) about a Samaritan. the location of Samaria, between Listen carefully for the answer to this question: Judea and Galilee. Explain that How was the Samaritan a good neighbor Jews and Samaritans usually to the wounded man? did not get along together and avoided each other.
In today’s lesson Jesus tells a parable about a Samaritan who sees a wounded man. Listen to find out how the Samaritan was a good neighbor Note: Remember there are To Do at Home activity options in to the wounded man. a separate file on the Teacher’s Guide CD.
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Note: You’ll need to use the Make stick puppets by using the figures on story in the adjacent column. Copy Master 1 and six large craft sticks. (Color and cut out the drawings on the copy Display the master, and then glue the drawings to the craft following items sticks.) Use the puppets as you tell the lesson. in the front of the class: a rolled-up sheet of paper One day a man who had spent much time studying God’s law labeled “God’s Law,” a paper came to Jesus. He wanted to ask Jesus a question to test him. heart labeled “Love,” an article “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to gain eternal life?” of clothing, bandages, a toy donkey or picture of a donkey, “What is written in God’s law?” Jesus asked him. “What does it tell you?” and money. Ask the children to raise their hands whenever The man answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart they hear one of the items you and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your have displayed mentioned in mind,’ and ‘Love your neighbor as much as you love yourself.’” the lesson. “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do that perfectly When you are and you will have eternal life.” telling Jesus’ But then the man asked, “Just who is my neighbor?” parable, ask a volunteer To answer him, Jesus told this parable: “A man was going from to show the the city of Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by locations of Jerusalem and robbers. They took all that he had, even his clothes. They beat Jericho on a map, such as him up until he was half dead. Then they left him lying by the side of the road. Copy Master 2S. If you did not use Introduce (Alternate), “A priest happened to be going down that same road. When he also have the volunteer show saw the wounded man lying there, he did not stop to help him. the location of Samaria. Instead, he hurried by on the other side of the road. “Then a Levite, a helper in the temple, came along that road and saw the man lying there. He made no effort to help but rather walked by on the other side of the road. “Soon another man, a Samaritan, came down the road. When he saw the helpless man, he felt sorry for him. He went over to the man, treated his wounds with oil and wine, and put bandages on them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him all night. “The next day the Samaritan gave some money to the innkeeper. ‘Take good care of this man,’ he said, ‘and if you need to spend any more money while he is getting well, I’ll pay you back the next time I come this way.’”
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 10 90 10 Then Jesus asked the man who studied the law, “Which of these three men do you think was a good neighbor to the Say man who was attacked by robbers?” The man in today’s story pointed The man replied, “The one who was kind to him and out that God’s law helped him.” tells us, [“Love the Lord your Jesus told the man, “Now you go and do as he did.” God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all You will need the pictures from your strength and with all your Copy Master 2, cut apart and mind,” and “Love your neighbor prepared to display. as much as you love yourself.”] Ask How can you show that Ask What question did the man who studied God’s law ask Jesus? you love God with all your heart, [“What must I do to gain eternal life?”] soul, strength, and mind? [By What wrong idea did he have? [He thought that he could do always being eager to listen to something to earn eternal life on his own.] his Word and worship him, by Say obeying his commandments, Jesus asked the man to answer his own question, and the man and by serving him.] said this: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, Say Raise your hand if and love your neighbor as much as you love yourself.” you have always loved God Ask What does it mean to love God with all your heart, soul, absolutely perfectly. [No strength, and mind? [To love God completely—with all that you are, hands should be raised.] body and soul—and to love him more than anyone or anything else.] None of us has loved God perfectly because we are all What does God say that a good neighbor shows to others? sinners. But God sent Jesus [Love.] to die for our sins, and we are Say Jesus said that if the man kept those commands perfectly, he forgiven. God loved us first, would have eternal life. and that’s why we love him. Ask Why, then, can’t we just get to heaven by loving God and our Do Write the following neighbors? [We can never keep God’s law perfectly. Therefore, we scrambled letters on the need Jesus as our Savior.] board: “deehlp.” Then ask Do Tell the children that you are going to name reasons to show the children to unscramble love to others. Whenever you give a good reason for us the letters to complete this Christians to show love to others, the children should make sentence: “The Samaritan was a a thumbs-up gesture. If it is not a good reason, they should good neighbor to the wounded make a thumbs-down gesture. Reasons to give: man because the Samaritan We show love to others . . . [helped] him.” • because God commands us to do so in his Word. Say God wants us all to be [Thumbs-up.] good neighbors—to show love to others by helping them. • out of love for God, who loved us first. [Thumbs-up.] • to feel good about ourselves. [Thumbs-down.]
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 10 91 10 • to earn our way into heaven. [Thumbs-down.]
Do Ask the children how they • to thank Jesus for saving us. [Thumbs-up.] could help the person in each of Ask What was the second question the man asked Jesus? these examples: [“Just who is my neighbor?”] • Your classmate is having Do Show box 1 of the copy master at this point. trouble with his multiplication Ask What was wrong with the man’s question? facts. [Don’t make fun of him. [He wanted to know whom he had to love; he was not thinking of Help him practice with his gladly helping others out of love for God.] flash cards. Encourage him Do to do his best. Play a math Show box 2 of the copy master. Then ask a volunteer to briefly game with him to help him summarize Jesus’ parable. learn the facts. Etc.] Ask Why might it seem strange that the priest and the Levite didn’t help the wounded man? • Your mother is busy getting [Since they both worked in the church, we would expect them to show love for God by helping the man.] dinner ready for the family, and the baby is crying. [Ask Say By not showing love for their neighbor, the priest and the my mother what I can do Levite showed that they didn’t love God. But the Samaritan to help. Set the table without was very kind to the wounded man. her asking. Play with the baby Ask Why would the Samaritan be so kind to a man he didn’t to keep her occupied. Etc.] know? [He had love for God in his heart, and his love for God Say Pretend there’s a boy showed itself in the way he treated the wounded man.] named Myron in your class. Say Jesus asked the man which of the three men was a good Even though you’ve always neighbor to the wounded man. tried to treat him kindly, Myron Do Show box 3 of the copy master. likes to tease you. Sometimes he Ask even pushes you and kicks you How is this question different from the one the man had asked? when the teacher isn’t looking. [By asking, “Who is my neighbor?” the man was really saying, “To Then one day after school you whom do I have to show love?” Jesus was showing him that instead see Myron fall off his bike, and he should be concerned about how he could be a good neighbor and show love to others whenever he had the opportunity.] he looks hurt. But he’s on the other side of the playground, Do Show box 4 of the copy master. and other kids who could help Say God also wants us to watch for chances to help others. him are playing nearby. Do Ask Ask the children how they could help each of the following What would God want you people: to do? [To be a good neighbor • A hurt child on the playground— to Myron by helping him.] [Help the hurt child get inside to be bandaged, or get someone who knows first aid.] Say God wants us to be a • Your grandmother who isn’t feeling well— good neighbor even to those [Call or visit my grandmother to cheer her up, or help her with people who haven’t treated us some housecleaning.] kindly. By helping such people, • A next-door neighbor who has broken his leg—[Water the neighbor’s garden, rake his leaves, or shovel his snow.]
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 10 92 10 Encourage the children to show their love for God by helping other people whenever they can. we may lead them to change their ways. We may even help lead them to Jesus. Let’s show our love for Jesus by being good neighbors! Ask What does being a good neighbor mean? [Being a person who Do Write “priest,” helps others when they need help.] “Levite,” and How was the Samaritan a good neighbor to the wounded man? “Samaritan” on the board. [The Samaritan showed love to his wounded neighbor by helping him.] Ask a volunteer to circle the persons the Jews would have What does God tell us to do in his Word? [God tells us in his Word to love him and to love others.] expected to show the most Say love for God. [Priest and Let’s show our love for God by gladly helping others whenever Levite.] Ask a volunteer to we can. underline the person the Do Pray: God, you can see into our sinful hearts. You know that we Jews would have expected not don’t always love you as we should. Forgive all our sins, and fill to love God. [Samaritan.] our hearts with your love. Help us show our love for you every Ask day in the way we treat other people. We ask this in Jesus’ But how was the name. Amen. Samaritan a good neighbor to the wounded man? [The Samaritan showed love to his * Matthew 22:39b wounded neighbor by helping him.] What does God tell us to do in his Word? [God tells us in his Word to love him and Romans 13:10a to love others.] Say Let’s show our love for God by gladly helping others whenever we can. Galatians 5:13b Do Sing “We Are Your People” (hymn 526), with which we ask God to help us show his love to others. * The Fifth Commandment You shall not murder. What does this mean? We should fear and love God that we do not hurt or harm our neighbor in his body, but help and befriend him in every bodily need. This commandment reminds us that out of love for God, we help others in any way that we are able.
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• Ask the children to name • Have the children use their writing skills to be reasons why they want to good neighbors. Give them paper and pencils, show love for God. [He and ask them to write short notes to classmates, created us, gives us all we parents, friends, relatives, etc. The notes could need, sent Jesus to save say something nice about that person or share us, has prepared a home in heaven for us, etc.] God’s love. Tell the children to put the notes Then praise God by singing Psalm 148 in unexpected places (like in a desk or under (hymnal, page 121) together. a bed pillow) for the recipients to find. •Use Activity 1 under Lesson Activities • Close by singing “Hey! Hey! to review the story. Neighbor”t (Copy Masters 3.1-3.3).
Lesson Activities 2. Application 1. Review My Thankful Response to God’s Love Purpose: To find ways as a class (or as individuals) Stick Puppets to be good neighbors. Purpose: To review the lesson by using stick puppets. Procedure: Have the children work together as a class to set goals for being good neighbors in Procedure: Give each child a copy of Copy the upcoming months. Enlarge Copy Master 4 Master 1 and eight large craft sticks. Have the to poster size and write the names of the next children color and cut out the drawings on the four months in the spaces at the top of the copy master. They should then glue the drawings hearts, one month per heart. Put the poster in to six of their craft sticks to make puppets of a prominent place in the classroom. Before the the people in the lesson. On the remaining two beginning of each month, have the class decide craft sticks, have the children use markers to on specific things they want to do or improve make puppets of themselves and of a heart (to upon to show love to others. Write the ideas symbolize love for God and others). Tell the on the poster. Be prepared to make additions children to use the puppets of themselves and or changes to the list as the month progresses. the hearts to present the truth of the lesson: we With the children, pray for God to keep your can show love to God by being good neighbors hearts full of his love as you strive to be good to others. They can use the puppets to retell the neighbors. (Note: Copy Master 4 could also be lesson in small groups or to tell the lesson to used as is for the children to fill in individually.) their families at home.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 10 94 10 3. Music Part Two: 1. Deuteronomy 6:5; 2. Leviticus 19:18 “Hey! Hey! Neighbor” Investigate the Crime (Challenge) Purpose: To encourage one another in song to be Purpose: To summarize the parable by completing good neighbors. a police report and to identify ways to show love Procedure: Sing “Hey! Hey! Neighbor”t for God and for neighbors. (Copy Masters 3.1-3.3). This song has Procedure: Have each child complete Copy a syncopated beat; begin by listening to the Master 7. The answers are as follows: recording of it with the children to help them learn it more easily. Part One: Answers will vary. Examples follow. “The Loving Samaritan” Location of crime: On the road between Jerusalem and Jericho Purpose: To review the facts and truth of the lesson in song. Victim: A man Procedure: Have the children use Copy Master 5 Describe what happened: Robbers attacked the to sing “The Loving Samaritan” to the tune of man, took all he had, and beat him until he was hymn 462. If possible, have them sing the song half dead. They then left him lying by the side of for a class of younger children. (Optional: Have the road. them come up with actions to use for their Witnesses: Actions taken by each witness performance.) Priest: Did not stop; hurried by on the other side 4. Art of the road Memory Treasure Collage Levite: Did not stop; walked by on the other side Purpose: To make a collage that will remind the of the road children of the meaning of the Matthew 22:39b Samaritan: Treated the man’s wounds with oil memory treasure. and wine and bandaged them, took him to an inn, cared for him all night, and paid the Procedure: Cut out large construction paper innkeeper to keep caring for him letters to spell the words of Matthew 22:39b. Have the children cover each letter with pictures Comments by investigating officer: The of people helping others cut from magazines. Samaritan was a good neighbor because he Display these words on a bulletin board or wall. showed love for God by helping the wounded man. Jesus tells us to do as the Samaritan did. 5. Review and Apply Part Two: 1. G, 2. N, 3. N, 4. X, 5. G, 6. N, Loving Hearts and Helping Hands 7. X, 8. G Purpose: To identify descriptions of Jesus, the man who studied God’s law, and the Samaritan, 6. Other Ideas and to match application statements from the Class Project lesson with their Old Testament references. Purpose: To have the children work together to Procedure: Have each child complete Copy be good neighbors. Master 6. The answers are as follows: Procedure: Help the children pick a “good Part One: 1. L, 2. J, 3. L, 4. L, 5. J, 6. S, 7. L, 8. J neighbor” project in your church or community.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 10 95 10 (Maybe your church library could use some religious children’s books, the church grounds may need some cleaning up, the local food pantry may be low on supplies, or some older people in the community may need help with chores.) Have them decide whether to raise money or volunteer their services to help in the chosen situation, and support their efforts to carry out their plans. Be sure to remind them that we are good neighbors out of love for God. He should receive any praise that might come because of helping others.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 10 96 See www.nph.net/christlight for Teaching Helps podcast information. The Parable of the 11 Unforgiving Servant Mt 18:21-35
What did the king expect the Looking Back servant he had forgiven to do? at Lesson 10 The Parable of the Loving Samaritan The king expected the servant to Luke 10:25-37 forgive as he had been forgiven. Aim: How was the Samaritan a Application: God expects us to forgive others as he has good neighbor to the wounded forgiven us. man?
Response: We forgive others as God has forgiven us. Truth: The Samaritan showed Lesson Summary: When Peter wanted to know how often love to his wounded neighbor he should forgive others, Jesus told this parable: A king by helping him. forgave the huge debt his servant owed him. Yet that servant Application: God tells us in did not forgive his fellow servant who owed him a much his Word to love him and to smaller amount of money. The king punished the unforgiving servant for not showing mercy. love others. Response: We show our love for * Matthew 22:39b God by gladly helping others Ephesians 4:32 whenever we can. * The Fifth Petition Lesson Summary: An expert of the Lord’s Prayer in God’s law tested Jesus by Hymn 490:1,3 asking how to gain eternal life. Jesus referred him to God’s law See Franzmann, Bible History Commentary: and then told a parable. In his New Testament, Volume 1, pages 367-370; story, both a priest and a Levite The People’s Bible: Albrecht, Matthew, passed by a wounded man, pages 262-266. but a Samaritan helped the man. Jesus told the expert Dear God, I mourn over my sins, which in the law to follow the caused Jesus’ suffering and death. Thank Samaritan’s example. you for forgiving my huge debt for his sake. Fill me with your love so that I also Memory Treasures: *Matthew forgive those who sin against me. I ask 22:39b; Romans 13:10a; this in my Savior’s name. Amen. Galatians 5:13b; *The Fifth Com- mandment (with explanation)
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 11
© 2013 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. 97 11
Alternate Lesson Plan
Sing: Sing “Amazing Sing: Have the children open their Grace—How Sweet hymnals to “Your Works, Not Mine, O Christ” (hymn 401). On the the Sound” (hymn board write “atone” and “at one.” Point out that the refrain of this 379:1,3) as a reminder hymn could be worded in this way: “To whom else should we flee that God, by his grace (love for (go)? Only our Lord can atone for our sins.” Explain that our sins us that we don’t deserve), has made us enemies of God, but Jesus atones for our sins. He puts us forgiven our sins for Jesus’ sake. at peace, or makes us “at one,” with God. (Refer to the words on the board.) Then sing the hymn. Pray: Dear God, we praise you for your amazing grace, which Pray: Dear God, thank you for the loving mercy you have shown to led you to send your Son to die us through Jesus. We know that we can never earn or deserve your for us. Thank you for the gift love and forgiveness. Let our thankfulness to you show in everything of forgiveness through Jesus. we do. Amen. Lead us to always appreciate this wonderful gift from you. Amen. Write “action” and “reaction” on the board. Tell the children to think about when they’ve gone to see Ask the children the doctor for a checkup. Point out that one thing what the word the doctor might have done was to check their expect means reflexes by using a tiny hammer to tap right below when we say, “I expect it to their knees. Ask the children who have experienced rain tomorrow.” [It means I this what happened when the doctor tapped a knee. think or believe it will rain.] [That foot popped up.] Ask what the word expect Explain that this is an example of an action-reaction. The action is the means when you say, “I expect tapping below the knee. The reaction is the foot popping up into the you to be quiet.” [It means you air when the knee is tapped. The action causes the reaction. want us to be quiet.]
In today’s lesson In our lesson today, Jesus talks about a different action- we’ll learn about reaction. He tells Peter and us about God’s loving something that action and what he wants our reaction to be. You will God expects from hear Jesus tell a parable that answers this question: us. But first you’ll hear a story What did the king expect the servant he had about a king. Listen to find out forgiven to do? what the king expected the servant he had forgiven to do.
Note: Remember there are To Do at Home activity options in a separate file on the Teacher’s Guide CD.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 11 98 11 When you tell about Peter’s question, show a sheet of paper with seven tally marks. When you share Note: You’ll need to use the Jesus’ answer, show 77 tally marks. In a similar way, story in the adjacent column. show a huge pile of play money (or several large sacks with dollar signs on them) when describing Explain the the servant’s huge debt and a few dollars when meaning of describing the fellow servant’s much smaller debt. Jesus’ parable by making two columns on the Jesus had been talking to his disciples about forgiving the sins board. Label the columns as of others. This led Peter to come to Jesus and ask, “Lord, how shown. Fill in the items in the many times should I forgive another believer who sins against first column as you tell the me over and over again? Is seven times enough?” lesson. When you explain the Jesus answered, “No, not just 7 times but 77 times!” lesson in the Discuss section, Then Jesus told this parable to show why we should forgive add the meaning of the parable others:“The kingdom of heaven is like a king who decided to for us in the second column. call in his servants so that he could collect all the money they owed him. As he was doing this, one servant was brought before Parable Meaning him who owed millions of dollars. Since the servant was not King God able to pay, the king ordered, ‘Take this man, his wife, and his children. Sell them and everything else he owns. Then at Servants Us least part of his debt can be repaid.’ Servant’s huge Our many sins debt “When the servant heard the king’s order, he fell on his knees before the king and begged, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay King cancels God forgives back everything I owe you.’ debt sins Our fellow “The king felt sorry for this servant and said to him, ‘Your entire Fellow servant believers who debt is forgiven. You don’t owe me anything. You may go.’ sin against us
“When the servant who had just had his huge debt forgiven went Sometimes we Servant did not don’t forgive out, he found another servant who owed him a much smaller cancel debt amount of money. He grabbed this man by the throat and began others to choke him. ‘Pay back the money you owe me!’ he demanded. Have the children “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be look at the patient with me, and I will pay back everything I owe you!’ pictures on their “But the first servant wouldn’t even listen to him. Instead, he student lessons. had his fellow servant thrown into prison until he could pay Tell them that as back his debt. you tell the story, they should “When the king’s other servants saw this, they were so upset raise their hands when they hear that they went to the king. When they had told him everything the part of the story shown in that had happened, the king sent for the servant whose debt had each side of the picture. been canceled. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I forgave that huge debt of yours just because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 11 99 11 “The king was so angry with the unforgiving servant that he sent You will need chalk, a him to prison. There the servant would be punished until he slate (if not available, could pay back everything that he owed.” use a chalkboard or Then Jesus told his disciples, “This is how my heavenly Father markers and a marker board), will treat each of you unless you, with all your heart, forgive and a cloth. Before class, write your fellow believers who sin against you.” some math problems on the slate (or board). You will need a large bucket full Ask When Jesus said to forgive of water, a glass of water, and an 77 times, what do you think eyedropper. Also, if you made the he meant? [Keep forgiving, no chart suggested in the alternate Learn (Option 1), remember to fill it in as you matter how many times.] discuss the lesson. Say Imagine that you have Ask How many times did Peter think he should forgive someone? a friend who often calls you [Seven.] names. Every time he does it, he says he’s sorry, but you’re Do Ask or tell the children what Peter was suggesting by his getting tired of forgiving him. question. [He was ready to forgive others but thought there must be some kind of limit.] Ask What should you remember? [God expects Ask How many times did Jesus say to forgive someone? [77.] us to forgive others even How many times do you think he meant that we should when they sin against us forgive someone? [We should keep forgiving a person over and over and over, just as he over again, no matter how many times he or she sins against us.] has forgiven us in spite of our sinning over and over. He In Jesus’ parable, how much did one servant owe the king? will help us forgive.] [Millions of dollars.]
Say When the first servant How is the servant’s debt like our sins against God? [The servant’s huge debt is like our many sins against God— was in trouble with the king too many to count.] because of his huge debt, he said, “Be patient with me, and Just as the servant could never repay his debt, what can I will pay back everything I we never do about our sins? [We can never pay for our many, owe you!” many sins.]
Ask What did the king then do? What did the king do for the servant? [Forgave his debt.] [He forgave the servant’s debt.] Like the king, what does God, out of his great love, do for us? Say Later the second servant [He forgives our many sins.] said those exact same words Do Ask the children what is wrong with this statement: “God to the first servant about his forgives our sins because we sin much less than many other much smaller debt. people.” In your discussion bring out these points: Ask What effect should • God expects us to be perfect. Even one sin causes us to those words have had on deserve hell.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 11 100 11 • We sin against God many times every day. We commit a huge amount of sins against God, just as the servant had the first servant? [They should a huge debt. have reminded him that he had • God forgives our many sins out of his great love for us— just been forgiven a huge debt.] not because we are any better than other people or What did the king later tell the commit fewer sins than other people. first servant he should have Say The servant who had been forgiven a huge debt saw a fellow done? [He should have forgiven servant who owed him some money. his fellow servant’s debt.] In Ask the same way, what does God How did this man’s debt compare to the debt of the forgiven expect us to do for those who servant? [It was a much smaller amount.] sin against us? [He expects us Say The king had just forgiven his huge debt. to forgive them.] Ask How might we have expected him to treat his fellow servant? Do Show your slate. [With forgiveness.] Say Many years ago children But instead of forgiving his fellow servant, what did the first did not have pencils and paper servant do? [Had the second servant thrown into prison.] to use in school. Instead, they What do the first servant’s actions show us about him? used small boards called slates. [He was unloving, unforgiving, and did not appreciate the forgiveness To do their assignments, they’d the king had shown him.] first have to wipe their slates clean. Do Show the bucket full of water and the glass of water nearby. Ask the children to imagine that the bucket full of water stands Do Demonstrate by wiping the for our sins against God. Then use an eyedropper to take some slate clean with a cloth. water out of the glass. Put one drop of water into the bucket. Say Ask Now imagine that this How does this one drop of water compare to all the drops of slate is your soul and this chalk water in the bucket? [The one drop is practically nothing.] is sin. Each day we sin many How is this bucket full of water like our sins against God? times. Our souls are covered [Just as you couldn’t count the many drops of water in the large with sins. bucket, we can’t count the many sins we commit against God.] Do Ask a volunteer to fill the How is the tiny drop of water like other people’s sins against slate with chalk marks. us? [The sins that others commit against us are few (a drop) Say compared to the many (bucketful of water) we do.] But Jesus’ forgiveness Say completely wipes away our sins. God has forgiven our many, many sins. His great love and He “wipes our slates clean.” mercy lead us to forgive others when they sin against us. Do Have a volunteer wipe the Ask When the king heard about what had happened, what did he slate clean. call the servant whom he had forgiven? [A wicked servant.] Say Once those sins are Why did he call the servant wicked? [The servant’s heart did forgiven, they are gone forever. not have the love and mercy that should have led him to forgive his fellow servant. The love the king had shown to him had no effect When we forgive others, we on him.] also “wipe the slate clean.”
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 11 101 11 Say The king said that because he had shown mercy to the servant, That means we don’t hold a that servant should have shown mercy to his fellow servant. grudge or have hateful feelings Ask toward those whom we have What moves (leads) us to show mercy to others? [God’s mercy forgiven. How thankful we are to us moves us to show mercy to others.] that God wipes the slate of our Say The king ordered that the servant be put in prison until he sinful hearts clean and helps us paid back his entire debt. forgive others in the same way! Ask Why would the servant be in prison for the rest of his life? [He could never pay back everything that he owed.] Say People in authority often Like the servant, what are we in danger of losing if we have expectations. are continually unloving and unforgiving? [We are in danger Ask of losing God’s love and forgiveness and being condemned to What are some things eternal punishment.] your parents expect you to do? Say [Clean my room, help with Of course, we will still sin while we are on this earth and will not always forgive others as we should. Thankfully, chores, do my homework, etc.] because Jesus took the punishment we deserve, God also What did the king expect the forgives our sins of being unforgiving. servant he had forgiven to do? [The king expected the servant to forgive as he had been forgiven.] What does God expect us to do? [God expects Ask What loving action had the king done for the servant who us to forgive others as he has owed so much money? [The king had forgiven the servant’s debt.] forgiven us.] Say What reaction did the king expect—what did he expect the Let’s forgive others as God servant he had forgiven to do? [The king expected the servant has forgiven us. to forgive as he had been forgiven.] Do Close by singing the hymn Say God has lovingly taken the action of sending his Son to die for 490:1,3 memory treasure. us and, for his sake, forgiving our many sins. Ask What reaction does God expect from us when others sin against us? [God expects us to forgive others as he has forgiven us.] Say Let’s always forgive others as God has forgiven us. Do Pray: Forgive us, Lord, for the times we have been unforgiving to others. Love us, Lord, although we are sometimes unloving to others. Be merciful to us, Lord, even when we are not merciful to others. Help us, Lord, to be more forgiving, loving, and merciful. Take us, Lord, and let your loving will be our guide in all we do. Amen.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 11 102 11 * Matthew 22:39b Hymn 490:1,3* 1 Love in Christ is strong and living, Binding faithful hearts in one; Love in Christ is true and giving— May his will in us be done! 3 Love in Christ abides forever, Ephesians 4:32 Fainting not when ills attend; Love, forgiving and forgiven, Shall endure until life’s end. This hymn reminds us that the love we have in Christ binds (ties) us believers together and moves us to forgive one another as he has forgiven us.
* The Fifth Petition of the Lord’s Prayer Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
• Begin by singing “Forgive •Use Activity 2 to help the children better Our Sins as We Forgive” understand what God teaches about (hymn 493), in which forgiveness. we ask God to help us • Close by praying the Lord’s Prayer. Point out forgive others. that in this prayer we ask God to forgive our •Use Activity 1 under Lesson Activities sins as we forgive those who sin against us. to review the story.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 11
*© 1980 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved. Used with permission. 103 11 Lesson Activities • God does love us, but he also expects us to love and obey him. 1. Review • The actions of the unforgiving servant showed Two Story Review that he did not love God, and that is why he Purpose: To review this lesson and the story of was punished. True faith and love in a believer’s the loving Samaritan by contrasting the loving heart lead to loving actions. Samaritan with the unforgiving servant. • Jesus died on the cross for all our sins, Procedure: Have the children contrast the loving including the sin of being unforgiving. Samaritan with the unforgiving servant. Put two Through faith in Jesus, we are forgiven. columns on the board labeled accordingly. Have If time permits, have the children use symbols the children list words that could describe each to make forgiveness posters. Tell them that a person. Some examples follow: symbol is a picture that stands for or reminds Loving Samaritan Unforgiving Servant us of something. Give the following examples, drawing each symbol on the board as you kind mean explain it: loving unloving • A cross reminds us that Jesus died to pay for merciful unmerciful our sins. generous selfish • A heart is a symbol of love. helped a stranger unforgiving to another • A smiling face is a symbol of happiness. Be sure to emphasize to the children that the • A rainbow reminds us that God keeps his Samaritan was kind and helpful because he had promises. God’s love in his heart. Then have the children make their posters using 2. Application these symbols or others that remind us of God’s love and forgiveness. Display their posters around Focus on Forgiveness the room as reminders that as God has forgiven Purpose: To help the children better understand us, so we are to forgive others. what God teaches about forgiveness. Procedure: Point out that the servant who had 3. Music been forgiven did not forgive his fellow servant, Psalm 103 but instead had him put into prison. When the Purpose: To learn a psalm about God’s king heard about this, he punished the first forgiveness. servant. Jesus said that this is how his heavenly Father would treat us if we don’t forgive others. Procedure: Read with the children Psalm 103 Then ask the children how they would answer a from page 105 in the hymnal. Ask the children friend who asked, “I thought God promised to to find verses that tell us about God’s forgiveness. always show love to us. Does today’s lesson teach Talk about the meanings of phrases such as “does us that God will punish us if we don’t forgive not treat us as our sins deserve,” “as far as the east others?” Guide the children to see the following: is from the west,” and “as a father has compassion on his children.” Then teach the children to sing the psalm together.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 11 104 11 4. Art Thankful for Forgiveness (Challenge) Doorknob Hangers Purpose: To show understanding of the parts of the parable and their meanings and to write Purpose: To make doorknob hangers that will about forgiveness. remind the children of the lesson application. Procedure: Have each child complete Copy Procedure: Use the pattern from Copy Master 1 Master 3. The answers are as follows: to have the children make doorknob hangers. Duplicate the pattern on heavy paper. Have the Part One: children color it and cut it out. Then they may Missing words—a. pay, b. sins, c. forgiven, d. sin, design the back side with pictures or symbols e. punish, f. sinned such as hearts and crosses or with phrases such as “Turn to God for forgiveness!” or “God Matches—1. b, 2. a, 3. c, 4. d, 5. f, 6. e forgives me!” Part Two: Paragraphs will vary, but should include why the child is thankful for forgiveness as well 5. Review and Apply as the desire to forgive other people. Forgive Purpose: To match parts of the parable with their 6. Other Ideas meanings and apply the lesson while studying the Tie ’Em Together hymn 490:1,3 memory treasure. Purpose: To learn what God’s Word tells us about Procedure: Have each child complete Copy love and forgiveness. Master 2. The answers are as follows: Procedure: Have each child complete Copy Part One: 1. b, 2. a, 3. c, 4. d, 5. f, 6. e Master 4. The answers are as follows: Part Two: Ephesians 4:32a—Be kind and forgiving to other people. 1. Love in Christ is strong and living. Luke 6:36—Be merciful as your Father 2. Christ’s love binds together faithful hearts. is merciful. 3. We ask for Christ’s will to be done in us. Colossians 3:13b—Forgive others as the Lord 4. Love in Christ will last forever. forgave you. 5. We are to forgive others. Luke 11:4—Forgive our sins as we forgive other people. 1 John 4:19—We love because God first loved us.
Bible Study Copy Masters 5.1-5.4 contain an age- appropriate, theme-related Bible study. The Bible studies are from the original Christ-Light (© 1998) and use the 1984 edition of the New International Version Bible translation.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 11 105 See www.nph.net/christlight for Teaching Helps podcast information. 12 Ten Healed of Leprosy Luke 17:11-19
Looking Back How was the Samaritan at Lesson 11 different from the other The Parable of the Unforgiving nine lepers? Servant Matthew 18:21-35 Only the Samaritan showed his faith by thanking Jesus. Aim: What did the king expect the servant he had forgiven Application: God wants us to thank him for his loving care. to do? Response: We show our faith by thanking God for his care. Truth: The king expected the Lesson Summary: Jesus healed ten men of their leprosy. Yet servant to forgive as he had only one, a Samaritan, returned to thank and praise him. By been forgiven. returning to thank Jesus, that Samaritan showed his faith. Application: God expects us to forgive others as he has Deuteronomy 33:27a forgiven us. * Psalm 118:1 Psalm 139:14 Response: We forgive others as God has forgiven us.
Lesson Summary: When Peter wanted to know how often he leprosy—a sickness that affects the skin and should forgive others, Jesus told may cause death this parable: A king forgave the huge debt his servant owed him. See Franzmann, Bible History Commentary: Yet that servant did not forgive New Testament, Volume 1, pages 473-476; his fellow servant who owed The People’s Bible: Prange, Luke, pages 190 him a much smaller amount of and 191. money. The king punished the unforgiving servant for not Locate the border between Samaria and showing mercy. Galilee on a map.
Memory Treasures: *Matthew Dear Lord, guide me as I teach your Word. 22:39b; Ephesians 4:32; Help me lead my life in such a way that *The Fifth Petition of the Lord’s it reflects my thankfulness for all you Prayer; Hymn 490:1,3 have done. Let your Word penetrate the children’s hearts that they will overflow with thankfulness for all you do for them. Amen.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 12
106 © 2013 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. 12
Alternate Lesson Plan
Sing: Sing “Praise Sing: Sing “Lord, ’Tis Not That I to the Lord, the Did Choose You” (hymn 380:1,3). This hymn reminds us that Jesus Almighty” (hymn has removed our sins, which made us enemies of God. We praise God for changing us into his children. 234:1,3) to praise God for the gifts of life, health, Pray: Dear Jesus, thank you for paying for my sins. Holy Spirit, and help in times of trouble. thank you for putting faith in my heart. Heavenly Father, thank you for making me your child. Amen. Pray: Lord God, thank you for creating each of us and for the gifts of health and help Ask the children if they have ever had a bath or in times of trouble. We praise washed their hands, told their mothers they were you for all you do for us. Amen. clean, and had their mothers send them back to wash again. Ask them what they missed that made Ask the children them “unclean.” [Washing behind the ears, using soap if they have ever on my hands, etc.] felt different from other kids around them. Allow Point out that in God’s Word we hear about some people who were volunteers to share why they called “unclean,” but in a different way—they had a disease called have sometimes felt different. leprosy. Lepers (people with leprosy) were not allowed to live in towns or even come close to other people. If anyone would come near these [I’m taller (shorter) than most people who had leprosy, the lepers had to call out a warning: “Unclean! kids my age. I’m from another Unclean!” This would keep others from coming too close. country. I use a hearing aid. Etc.] Point out that sometimes it’s hard to be different, but as In our lesson today, we will hear about ten men God’s children we may stand who were called unclean because they had leprosy. out as being different by the One of these ten men, a Samaritan, was different way we act. from the other nine. Listen carefully to learn how the Samaritan was different from the other In today’s lesson nine lepers. we’ll hear about a Samaritan with leprosy who showed by how he acted that he was different from nine other men with leprosy. Listen for the answer to this question: How was the Samaritan different from the other nine lepers?
Note: Remember there are To Do at Home activity options in a separate file on the Teacher’s Guide CD.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 12 107 12
Note: You’ll need to use the story in the adjacent column. Draw ten stick figures on the board to represent the ten lepers. When telling how the Samaritan Give each child a went back to thank Jesus, erase all but one of sheet of drawing the figures. paper and some crayons. Have the children fold On their way to Jerusalem one day, Jesus and his disciples were their papers in half and then traveling along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As in half again, and then unfold they were about to enter a certain village, ten men who had them, to divide the paper into leprosy saw them. four sections. As you tell the Lepers were not allowed to go near other people. So the ten story, pause at the appropriate men stood at a distance and shouted to Jesus in a loud voice, times to have them sketch “Jesus, Master, have pity on us and heal us!” the following: When Jesus heard their cry for help, he said to them, “Go and • Draw ten stick men looking sad show yourselves to the priests.” If people with leprosy got and yelling, “Jesus, heal us!” over their sickness, the priests had to look them over and say whether or not they were healed before they could live among • Draw ten happy stick men other people again. yelling, “We’re healed!” Even though they weren’t healed yet, the ten men obeyed Jesus • Draw one happy stick man and started walking toward Jerusalem to show themselves to the running back to Jesus, priests.While they were on their way, their leprosy suddenly shouting, “Praise God!” disappeared. Jesus had made them well! Draw the other nine men running toward Jerusalem. When one of the men saw that he was healed, he went back to Jesus, praising God in a loud voice all the way. When he got • Draw one happy man kneeling to Jesus, he knelt down to the ground at Jesus’ feet and thanked in front of Jesus and thanking him. This man was a Samaritan. him. Jesus asked, “Weren’t all ten men healed? Where are the other Ask a volunteer nine? Didn’t anyone else except this Samaritan come back to to point out the give thanks to God?” Then Jesus said to him, “Get up and go on border between your way. Your faith has made you well.” Samaria and Galilee on a map of the land of Palestine in Jesus’ time. Remind the children that a Samaritan would have been from the land of Samaria.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 12 108 12 The children will need poster-making materials, including large sheets of paper Have ready four sheets and such things as letter stencils or other of paper, each with stencils, markers or paints, and the like. one of the following Say When the ten lepers begged Jesus for help, he told them to headings written at the top of it: go show themselves to the priests, even though they still had “Spiritual Blessings,” “Blessings leprosy. They trusted him and headed toward Jerusalem, and for My Body,” “Abilities From suddenly their leprosy was gone! God,” and “People Who Help Me.” Also, before class, write the Ask How was that possible? [Jesus performed a miracle with his following Bible references on the almighty power.] board: Psalm 28:7; Psalm 30:12b; Do Ask the children to react to this statement: “The lepers could John 6:11; 1 Corinthians 15:57; be sure that Jesus heard their prayer for help, but we have no and 1 Thessalonians 5:18. Have way of knowing for certain that Jesus is hearing and answering the children find and bookmark our prayers.” [Jesus tells us in his Word that God loves each of us, the passages in their Bibles. that our needs and wants are important to him, and that he hears all our prayers. We can be sure that this is true.] Say At the end of today’s story, Jesus talked about the Say When the Samaritan saw that he was healed, he went back Samaritan’s faith. to Jesus, praising God, and knelt at Jesus’ feet to thank him. Ask How did the Samaritan Ask Why did he go back to Jesus before going to the priests? show his faith? [By going back [He was filled with thankfulness for what Jesus had done for him.] Say to thank Jesus for healing him.] Jesus asked where the other nine men were. But Jesus knows Say all things. God hasn’t healed us of Ask leprosy, but he has done many Why do you suppose he asked this question? [Jesus wanted wonderful things for us. Let’s to point out that while all ten men were healed, only one seemed take a few minutes to think of grateful for God’s help.] some of the things we could Why might it be surprising that a Samaritan was the one to thank God for. go back and give thanks and praise to God? [The Jews had the Do Give each of the prepared Word of God. They should have been the ones to see that Jesus sheets of paper to a child in a was their Savior and thank him.] different part of the room. Tell Say Imagine that one Saturday your brother has a soccer (or band) the children that when they practice to go to in the morning. Your mom tells him that have a paper in front of them, when he gets back home, he will need to clean his very messy they are to read the heading at room before he can spend time with his friends. You see that the top, write down one thing your brother is upset about what your mom said, so after he in that category, and quickly leaves for his practice, you go into his room and spend two pass the paper to the next child. hours cleaning it for him. When your brother comes home, Allow a few minutes for the he sees his clean room and asks what happened. When you papers to be passed around the tell him what you did, he says, “All right! I can go!” and runs room. Then have volunteers read right out of the house. some of the answers to the class. Do Ask the children how they would feel about their brother’s Some possibilities: reaction. [Most would probably be disappointed that he didn’t at
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 12 109 12 least say thank you before he ran off.] Ask the children to think [• Spiritual Blessings: of times they have helped others and not received thanks. Point forgiveness of sins, faith, out that when we do something nice for others, we like to receive appreciation. salvation, heaven. Say [• Blessings for My Body: food, Think of all that God has done for us. He sent Jesus to be our Savior, he forgives our sins, he takes care of us, and so on. clothes, medicines, a home. Ask Do we always act like the man who came back to thank Jesus? [• Abilities From God: running, Or are we sometimes like the other nine who didn’t bother to writing, reading, making thank him? [Most of us are often like the nine. We forget to thank friends, playing an God for all he has done for us.] instrument. Do Ask the children to think of and name ways we could help [• People Who Help Me: mom, ourselves remember to thank God for all he’s done for us. dad, grandparents, pastor, Examples include the following: teachers, police officers.] • Establish a habit of thanking God every morning Say We have a lot of things to or evening. thank God for, don’t we? And the • Try to remind one another about thanking God. Bible often talks about giving thanks to God. • When saying table prayers, also thank God for other blessings. Do [Have the children find the following Bible passages. After • Get into the habit of saying frequent, short thank-yous calling on a child to read each to God during the day, like “Thanks, God, for getting passage, ask the question given: me safely to school” or “Thank you, God, for showing me that pretty rainbow.” • Psalm 28:7—What is one way • Make a thank-you poster to hang in your bedroom. we can give thanks to God? Thank God whenever you see it. [In song.] Have the children make thank-you posters using the poster • Psalm 30:12b—How long materials you’ve gathered. They could use letter stencils to will we give thanks to God? put slogans on their posters, such as “Thank You, God!” [Forever.] or “Give Thanks to the Lord!” or use other stencils to add • John 6:11—Whose example of designs or borders to their posters. They could use markers giving thanks can we follow? or paints to make their posters colorful. Encourage the [Jesus’ example.] children to take the posters home to hang in their rooms as reminders to thank God often. • 1 Corinthians 15:57—For what Say can we thank God? [For giving Jesus told the Samaritan that his faith had made him well. us the victory through Jesus.] Ask How did the Samaritan show his faith? [He showed his faith by • 1 Thessalonians 5:18—When going back to thank Jesus.] should we give thanks? [In all circumstances/in everything.]
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 12 110 12
Say As you can see, the Bible encourages us to thank God for Ask What had made the Samaritan “unclean” in other people’s eyes? his loving care. [He had leprosy.] Say But what did the Samaritan have in his heart that made it Sometimes it “clean”? [Faith.] can seem bad to be different from everyone else, but How was the Samaritan different from the other nine lepers? often it’s good to be different. [Only the Samaritan showed his faith by thanking Jesus.] The Samaritan in today’s lesson How does God want us to show that we appreciate his loving was different from the other care? [God wants us to thank him for his loving care.] nine lepers. Say Let’s show our faith by thanking God for his care. Ask Was the Samaritan Do Pray: Almighty Lord, thank you for always taking care of us. different in a good or bad way? Forgive us for the many times we have failed to say thank you [A good way.] How was the for your blessings. Help us show our faith in you by the way Samaritan different from the we act. Amen. other nine lepers? [Only the Samaritan showed his faith by thanking Jesus.] How does Deuteronomy 33:27a God want us to show that we appreciate his loving care? [God wants us to thank him for his loving care.] * Psalm 118:1 Say Let’s show our faith by thanking God for his care.
Do Praise God by singing Psalm 139:14 “Thank the Lord” (hymnal, page 36).
• Begin by singing or reading •Use Activity 2 or Activity 6 (Thankful All responsively Psalm 100 Day) to look at ways to thank and praise God. (hymnal, page 104), which • Close by singing “Now Thank We All Our reminds us to thank and God” (hymn 610). praise God. •Use Activity 1 under Lesson Activities to review the story.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 12 111 12 Lesson Activities walk like Christians. [We can go only to places that please God, walk away from temptation, etc.] Ask 1. Review how we can sound like Christians. [We can praise Hot Potato and thank God, say kind things to others, tell about Jesus, etc.] Purpose: To review the lesson by playing a game. Procedure: Have the children play Hot Potato, 3. Music following these steps: Praise With Instruments • In advance, write review questions about the Purpose: To study Psalm 150 and encourage lesson on index cards or a sheet of paper. the children to use instruments to thank and • Have the children sit in a circle. praise God. • Give a potato (or small ball) to one child. Have Procedure: Read together Psalm 150 from page the children pass the potato around while you 122 in the hymnal. Ask the children to find play recorded Christian music (or play music the names of the instruments mentioned. on the piano). [Trumpet, harp, lyre, tambourine, strings (violin, etc.), flute, and cymbals.] Show the instruments • Stop the music at random. The child holding (pictures or actual instruments) to the children, the potato when the music stops must answer and discuss how instruments can be used in a review question. worship to praise and thank God for his • For a larger class, use two potatoes. When goodness. Encourage the children to consider the music is stopped, one of the two children learning to play instruments as a way to give holding potatoes may volunteer or you may glory to God. Then sing the psalm together. select one to answer the question. 4. Art 2. Application Pop-Up Pictures Looks, Walks, and Sounds Purpose: To make pop-up pictures of the lesson. Purpose: To help the children understand that Procedure: Give each child a piece of heavy they can show their faith in a variety of ways. white paper (9" x 12") and a duplicate of Procedure: Ask the children what this sentence Copy Master 1. Then have the children means: “If it looks like a duck and walks like a follow these directions: duck and sounds like a duck, it is a duck.” [You • Fold the blank piece of paper in half as shown can tell an animal is a duck by how it looks, walks, in the diagram on the copy master; then open and sounds.] Next, insert the word Christian it up again. in place of each word duck. Discuss with the children what this new sentence means. [You • Draw and color an outdoor background scene, can tell a person is a Christian by how she or he making sure most of your drawing is above the looks, walks, and sounds.] Explain that one way fold line. we can show our thankfulness to God is by • Write “Thank you, Jesus!” along the bottom living as his children. Ask how we can look of your paper. like Christians. [We can wear modest clothing and act in ways that show we are God’s children: • Draw and color Jesus and the kneeling help others, go to church, etc.] Ask how we can Samaritan in the boxes shown on the
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 12 112 12 copy master. Be sure that the two men face Procedure: Have each child complete Copy each other. (Note: The figures should be Master 3. The answers are as follows: drawn in the boxes the long way as shown Part One: 1. WELL, 2. TEN, 3. PRIESTS, in the diagram.) 4. MASTER, 5. THANKS, 6. FAITH, • Cut out the top two rectangles on the copy 7. JERUSALEM, 8. NINE, 9. GOD, master along the solid lines. Then fold the tabs 10. LEPROSY, 11. HEALED; backward along all the dotted lines until only Message: WE PRAISE GOD. the picture section is showing. Part Two: Answers will vary. • With the background sheet folded at a right angle (in an L shape), glue the tabs of the 6. Other Ideas figures onto the background as shown so that Thankful All Day they pop out of the picture. (Note: You will probably need to show each child where to Purpose: To encourage the children to show their glue the figures so that they are not too close thankfulness to God throughout each day. to or too far from the fold line.) Procedure: Show a real or pretend clock face with movable hands. Move the clock hands 5. Review and Apply to various times of the day. Whenever you stop Praise God the hands at a certain time, the children should tell how they could show their thankfulness Purpose: To match the Samaritan and the other to God at that time. nine lepers with their descriptions and to match [Examples: When I get up memory treasures with their meanings. at 6:30, I can thank God for the new day. Before I eat lunch at 12:00, I can thank God for my food.] Procedure: Have each child complete Copy Master 2. The answers are as follows: Bible Study Part One: Copy Masters 4.1-4.4 contain an age- appropriate, theme-related Bible study. The These phrases should have lines drawn to both Bible studies are from the original Christ-Light pictures: had a terrible disease, asked Jesus for (© 1998) and use the 1984 edition of the New help, healed by Jesus. International Version Bible translation. These phrases should have lines drawn to the Samaritan: praised God for his help, came back to thank Jesus, showed faith in Jesus. This phrase should have a line drawn to the nine men: forgot to say thank you. Part Two: 1. Psalm 118:1; 2. Deuteronomy 33:27a; 3. Psalm 139:14
Remember to Thank! (Challenge) Purpose: To review the lesson by completing an acrostic and to develop ideas to help remember to thank God throughout each day.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 12 113 See www.nph.net/christlight for Teaching Helps podcast information. 13 Mary and Martha Luke 10:38-42
Looking Back What did Jesus teach Martha at Lesson 12 about what is most important? Ten Healed of Leprosy Luke 17:11-19 Jesus taught Martha that hearing Aim: How was the Samaritan God’s Word is most important. different from the other nine lepers? Application: Hearing God’s Word is the most important thing for us to do. Truth: Only the Samaritan Response: We ask God to help us hear, learn, and use his showed his faith by Word regularly. thanking Jesus. Lesson Summary: Both Mary and Martha loved Jesus. While Application: God wants he was a guest in their home, Martha was busy being a good us to thank him for his hostess. As her sister sat listening to Jesus’ words, Martha loving care. complained to him that Mary wasn’t helping her. Jesus Response: We show our faith lovingly reminded Martha that Mary had chosen the one by thanking God for his care. thing needed—hearing God’s Word.
Lesson Summary: Jesus healed * Psalm 119:105 ten men of their leprosy. Yet * Luke 11:28 only one, a Samaritan, returned 2 Timothy 3:15 to thank and praise him. By * The Third Commandment returning to thank Jesus, that (with explanation) Samaritan showed his faith.
Memory Treasures: Deuteronomy See Franzmann, Bible History Commentary: 33:27a; *Psalm 118:1; New Testament, Volume 1, pages 412-416; Psalm 139:14 The People’s Bible: Prange, Luke, pages 126 and 127. Locate Bethany on a map.
Dear Jesus, forgive me for the times I’ve let other things keep me from sitting at your feet and hearing your Word. Help me remember how precious your Word is, and give me the ability to teach it faithfully to your children. I pray that through your Word, the Holy Spirit will draw both me and them closer to you.Amen.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 13
114 © 2013 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. 13
Alternate Lesson Plan
Sing: Sing “How Sing: Tell the children that a heritage Precious Is the Book is something that is handed down from one generation to the next. Divine” (hymn 284). Then sing “God’s Word Is Our Great Heritage” (hymn 293) as a reminder that God’s Word is the best thing that has been handed This hymn tells us down to us. that God’s Word, the Bible, is very precious. It is like a bright Pray: Dear God, thank you for the wonderful inheritance of your light that shows us the way to Word. Teach us to treasure it, and help us pass it on to the generations heaven through Jesus. that come after us. Amen. Pray: Dear God, thank you for telling me in your Word that You will need a small piece of paper and a pencil Jesus is my Savior. Make me for each child. always glad to hear and learn Give each child paper and a pencil, and have the this important message. Amen. children write down one thing that people often say Ask the children what is very important to them in their lives. Collect the they think is more papers and read some of the answers to the class. [Examples of possible important for us to answers: family members, money, friends, a good job, a nice house, helping have: air or water. After they others, health.] Point out that people have many different ideas about what’s important. discuss the value of both, tell them that there is something even more important to us than In today’s lesson we’ll hear about two of Jesus’ air or water. friends—Mary and Martha—who had different In today’s lesson, ideas about what was important. Listen carefully Jesus teaches his to find out the answer to this question: What friend Martha did Jesus teach Martha about what is most about what is most important? important. You will find out what Jesus taught Martha about what is most important.
Note: Remember there are To Do at Home activity options in a separate file on the Teacher’s Guide CD.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 13 115 13
Note: You’ll need to use the story in the adjacent column. Enlist the aid of two helpers (adults or older children) to assist you in presenting the events Instead of acting of this lesson as a short skit. A script for this skit out the lesson can be found on Copy Master 1. with real people, use the script from Copy As Jesus and his disciples were on their way to Jerusalem, they Master 1 and three puppets came to the village of Bethany. Mary and Martha, two sisters who to present this lesson as a were good friends of Jesus, lived there. They loved Jesus, so they puppet play. were very happy when Jesus stopped to see them! Martha eagerly invited him into their home. Have the children read aloud this Soon after Jesus got to their house, Mary sat down at his feet and short lesson began talking with him. She listened to him as he talked to her directly from about God’s Word. their Bibles. But Martha was too busy to listen. She hurried about to make Also have a volunteer show Jesus comfortable and to get a meal ready for him. And she the location of Bethany on a thought that Mary should be helping her. So she went to Jesus map, such as Copy Master 2S. and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself ? Tell her to come and help me!” “Martha, Martha,” Jesus answered, “you are worried and troubled about many things. But there is only one thing that is really necessary. That is God’s Word. Mary has chosen the one thing we need most. No one will keep her from hearing and learning God’s Word.”
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 13 116 13 Each child will need a duplicate of Copy Master 2, scissors, crayons, Before class, write the and yarn or string. following on a piece of paper: “Jesus is our Say Mary and Martha both believed in Jesus as their Savior. They Savior. Through him we have loved Jesus and were happy to have him in their home. eternal life in heaven.” Make Ask While Jesus was there, what did Mary choose to do? one duplicate of this message [Mary chose to listen to Jesus.] for each child in your class, and place each message inside a Even though we already believe in Jesus as the Savior, separate envelope. Seal the why is it good for us to keep listening to God’s Word? envelopes. Each child will also [Some possible responses: need paper and a pencil. • The Holy Spirit strengthens our faith as we continue to hear Say Martha worked hard for and study God’s Word. Jesus, cooking, cleaning, and • Through the Bible, God teaches us that he is always with us the like. and always taking care of us. Ask Is it good to work hard • The Bible reminds us of the wonderful promise of heaven that for Jesus? [Yes. It is a way we God has given us. show our love for him.] • In his Word, God tells us how to treat others. For example, he Do Give the children paper wants us to obey our parents and forgive others when they and pencils. Have each child sin against us.] Say sketch a simple picture of one No matter how often we hear and study God’s Word, there is way he or she can work for always more to learn from the Bible. Jesus. [Examples: Telling others Ask What was Martha busy doing while Jesus was teaching? about him, cleaning up church [Working around the house to make him comfortable and to prepare property, hanging doorknob a meal.] hangers about the church around the neighborhood, Why did Martha do these things for Jesus? [Because she loved Jesus.] singing in church.] Ask What did Martha seem to think was more important at How did Mary show her this time: working for Jesus or listening to him teach? love for Jesus? [She sat at his [Working for Jesus.] feet and listened to him teach God’s Word.] Is it wrong to want to work for Jesus? [No, it is not wrong. Jesus tells us to work for him and his kingdom.] Do Give each child one of your prepared envelopes. Tell What do we show by working for Jesus? [Our love for God the children that a message and our thankfulness that Jesus saved us.] Say is inside each of the envelopes. There are times when it is good to work for Jesus. But there Ask how they will know what are other times when the most important thing for us to do the message is. [We need to is to listen to God’s Word. We should never let anything—not open the envelopes and read even working for Jesus—become more important than hearing God’s Word.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 13 117 13 Ask Why is hearing God’s Word the one thing that is really the message.] Then have the necessary? [God’s Word shows the way to salvation through children open their envelopes Jesus. Without this knowledge there is no hope for true happiness and read the message in unison. here on earth or in eternity.] Say The message inside your Why was Mary’s choice the wiser one? [Hearing and learning envelopes is the same as the God’s Word would help her faith grow. Mary was more concerned message in the Bible. Jesus is with this than with things of this world.] our Savior. He saved us from Do Draw a three-column chart on the board. Label the columns: hell, and he promises to take “Hear,” “Learn,” and “Use.” Remind the children that hearing us to heaven. God’s Word is the one thing that is really necessary for us also. Ask But in order to hear more It shows us our need for a Savior and leads us to faith in Jesus as that Savior. God’s Word also shows us how to live as his about that message in the Bible, children. Then have the children take turns writing on the what do we need to do? [Open chart ways we can hear, learn, and use God’s Word. Possibilities our Bibles and read what’s include the following: inside.] Say • Hear [Listen to the Bible lesson in Sunday school, go to Martha worked for Jesus. church, listen to Christian music, have family devotions.] Mary listened to Jesus teach God’s Word. • Learn [Learn memory treasures, do Bible lesson activities, study the Bible on our own.] Ask Were both Martha and •Use [Turn to God’s Word for comfort and help in times of Mary showing love for Jesus? trouble, use God’s Word as a guide when we are trying to [Yes.] But which sister was make decisions, tell others about Jesus.] doing the more important thing? Say [Mary.] Even though it is Today’s memory treasures remind us of the importance of important to work for Jesus, why hearing God’s Word. is it even more important to Do Have the children use Copy Master 2 to make memory listen to God’s Word? [We need treasure reminders. Have them write the words of Psalm to hear and learn God’s Word to 119:105 or Luke 11:28 on the spiral, starting in the center. keep our faith strong. If we lose They may draw designs in any extra space. Then have them our faith, we won’t want to cut out the spiral on the solid lines. Have them put a piece work for Jesus either. And we of yarn or string through the X in the middle of the spiral need faith in Jesus as our and tie a knot to secure it. The spiral is then ready to be Savior to go to heaven.] hung from the ceiling.
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Ask How did Martha show that she loved Ask What activities did Mary and Martha feel were important when Jesus? [She invited Jesus into Jesus came to visit? [Mary felt it was important to listen to Jesus, her home and worked hard to while Martha felt it was important to do things to serve her guest.] make him comfortable and What did Jesus teach Martha about what is most important? prepare a meal for him.] What [Jesus taught Martha that hearing God’s Word is most important.] did Jesus teach Martha about What is the most important thing for us to do? [Hearing God’s what is most important? [Jesus Word is the most important thing for us to do.] taught Martha that hearing God’s Word is most important.] Say We ask God to help us hear, learn, and use his Word regularly. What is the most important Do Sing “One Thing’s Needful” (hymn 290) as a reminder of the thing for us to do? [Hearing importance of God’s Word. Point out that stanza 2 refers to the God’s Word is the most Mary in this lesson. important thing for us to do.]
Say We ask God to help us * Psalm 119:105 hear, learn, and use his Word regularly.
Do Sing Psalm 119a (hymnal, page 109), which talks of the value of God’s Word.
* Luke 11:28
Have Bible 2 Timothy 3:15 puzzles, word searches, games, and the like set out for children who arrive early. This will help prevent * The Third Commandment boredom and misbehavior Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. and may even encourage timely arrivals. What does this mean? We should fear and love God that we do not despise preaching and his Word, but regard it as holy and gladly hear and learn it.
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• Begin by praying the short •Use Activity 2 to consider good times responsive prayer at the and places to serve God and to study his Word. beginning of the morning • Close by singing “God’s Word” (Copy devotion on page 152 of Master 3). the hymnal. •Use Activity 1 under Lesson Activities to review the story.
Lesson Activities Have the children give examples. [Do homework after dinner in your room, not in front of the TV; etc.] 1. Review Next, insert “serving the Lord” in place of Circle Tag “everything.” Discuss with the children what Purpose: To review the lesson events in a fun, the new sentence means. [There are times when active way. and places where it is good to work for the Lord.] Ask the children for examples. [Help on a church Procedure: Have the children sit or stand in a clean-up day, help decorate the church for large circle. Choose one child to be Player One. Christmas, etc.] While walking around the outside of the circle, that child will begin telling the story. The first Finally, insert “hearing God’s Word” in place of child then taps another child who has not had “everything.” Discuss what this final sentence a turn on the shoulder. Player One takes that means. [There are times when and places where child’s place in the circle as Player Two tells a bit the most important thing for us to do is to listen more of the story. Continue in this fashion until to God’s Word.] Point out that this is what Jesus the story has been told. If the children get off was teaching Martha. Again, ask for examples. track, prompt them until they return to the [Set aside Sunday mornings and parts of Christian subject. Repeat the story as needed to make holidays for going to church, listen carefully to Bible sure each child gets a turn. lessons in Sunday school, have a daily devotion time, etc.] 2. Application A Time and Place 3. Music Purpose: To consider good times and places to “God’s Word” serve God and to study his Word. Purpose: To encourage one another in song to study the Bible each day. Procedure: Discuss with the children the meaning of this sentence: “There’s a time and a place for Procedure: Teach the children to sing “God’s everything.” [There are certain times when and Word” (Copy Master 3). Optional: If you have certain places where it’s good to do certain things.] an eight-note set of handbells or hand chimes,
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 13 120 13 teach the children to play the melody for this 5. Review and Apply song on them. The melody notes are all within one octave. You could help the children play Choose What’s Necessary the correct notes by displaying an enlarged copy Purpose: To find answers to questions about the of the song with each tone circled in a different lesson and to mark ways to learn God’s Word. color or by duplicating the copy master for each Procedure: Have each child complete Copy child and helping the children mark the notes Master 5. The answers are as follows: each is to play. Part One: 1. Mary, 2. Martha, 3. Jesus, 4. many 4. Art things, 5. only one, 6. God’s Word, 7. our Savior Bible Book Covers The symbol should be a cross. Purpose: To emphasize that God’s Word is Part Two: Numbers 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, and 12 should precious to us by making Bible book covers be marked. to protect the children’s Bibles. Mary, Martha, and God’s Word Procedure: Give each child a piece of heavy (Challenge) paper large enough to cover a Bible. (The sides of large, brown paper bags work well.) Then Purpose: To identify descriptions of Mary and have the children follow these steps: Martha and to apply the memory treasures to everyday situations. • Open your Bible on the center of the paper and trace around it. (The Bible must be Procedure: Have each child complete Copy completely flat on the paper.) Master 6. The answers are as follows: Part One: The numbers 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 should • Draw a 2-inch border at the top and bottom be in the cooking pot shape. The numbers 1, 2, and a 3-inch border along each side. Cut out 4, 5, 7, and 8 should be in the Bible shape. the cover along these borders. Part Two:The students write the passages in the • Fold your cover on the inside lines you have boxes. Answers will vary but should indicate that drawn, first folding the top and bottom edges, the child will put hearing and obeying God’s then the sides. Word first. • Turn your book cover over and use crayons or markers to decorate it. (Encourage the children 6. Other Ideas to use Christian symbols in their designs.) Pick a Passage • Then turn your book cover over and fit it Purpose: To encourage daily study of God’s Word. on your Bible. (Help the children put the ends of the book’s cover into the pockets made on Procedure: Do the following: each side of the paper cover. The paper covers • Duplicate Copy Master 4. Cut along the can be taped in place if desired.) lines to make Bible passage strips. You may want to add some of your own passages. Place the passage strips into a container. • Each day have a child pick one strip from the container. Write the Scripture reference on the board and read the descriptive sentence.
GRADES 3-4 | SS | YEAR 2 | WINTER | LESSON 13 121 13 • Have the children find and read the passage on their own. Then call on a volunteer to read the passage out loud. (Optional: Instead of reading the descriptive sentence for the passage, have a student summarize the passage after it is read.) • Encourage the children to give you additional passages to put into the Bible passage container.
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