Unit 15 • Session 2 The Southern Kingdom of

Use Week of: Unit 15 • Session 2 and

BIBLE PASSAGE: ; 34–35

STORY POINT: God planned to send Jesus.

KEY PASSAGE: :14b

CHRIST CONNECTION: Jesus always obeyed God perfectly.

Bible Story for Toddlers King Hezekiah of Judah loved God, just like his grandfather King . Hezekiah said to the priests, “Our fathers turned away from God, and He punished them. Get rid of every evil thing in the temple. We will obey God.” The priests did what Hezekiah said, and the people loved God again. After Hezekiah died, though, the people forgot God. Many years later, Josiah became king when he was a boy. Josiah loved God too. Josiah repaired the temple and found God’s law. The priest read the words of God’s law to Josiah. Then Josiah invited all the people to the temple and read the law to them. While Josiah was king, the people loved God and obeyed Him.

Babies Gospel Gems **Hezekiah and Josiah loved God. **Judah obeyed God when the king obeyed Him. **Jesus helps His people obey God.

Additional resources are available at gospelproject.com. For free training and session-by-session help, visit MinistryGrid.com/gospelproject.

Babies & Toddlers Leader Guide 38 Unit 15 • Session 2 BABIES Activities

Look in the Bible Provide hand-size for babies to handle. Open your Bible to 2 Chronicles 29. Show the Bible story picture as you say the gospel gems in a soothing voice. Read the key passage card. SAY • Hezekiah and Josiah loved God. Judah obeyed God when the king obeyed Him. GOD PLANNED TO SEND JESUS. Jesus always obeyed God perfectly, and Jesus helps His people obey God. [Pray for the babies.] 2

Sing a Bible story song Sing to the tune of “Mary Had a Little Lamb”: “God had a plan to save from sin, save from sin, save from sin! God had a plan to save from sin. God sent Jesus.” SAY • Hezekiah and Josiah loved God, but they still made wrong choices. Jesus always obeyed God perfectly. GOD PLANNED TO SEND JESUS to save us from sin.

Make family art Use washable ink pads to help babies make thumbprint faces for each member of their family on paper. Draw stick figures and write the family member’s name under each thumbprint. Remind babies that God gives us families. SAY • Hezekiah and Josiah loved God, just like their grandfather King David. Thank You, God, for [baby’s name]’s family. Thank You for letting [baby’s name] know GOD PLANNED TO SEND JESUS to rescue [him/her].

Make “repairs” Provide wooden peg toys or foam blocks for babies to hit with toy hammers. Talk about how King Josiah made repairs to God’s temple. SAY • Hezekiah and Josiah loved God. The people of Judah obeyed God when the king obeyed Him. GOD PLANNED TO SEND JESUS. Jesus helps His people obey God.

Check diapers, serve bottles if needed, and release babies to parents according to your church’s security guidelines. Give parents today’s big picture card. Repeat the gospel gems and Bible- learning activities for babies who stay a second hour.

The Southern 39 TODDLER Activities

Circle time (5 minutes) Provide small Bibles for toddlers. Say the Bible is God’s words. Read the key passage card to toddlers. Open your Bible to 2 Chronicles 29. Show the Bible story picture as you tell the story. Say the story point and gospel gems. Pray.

Make old paper Write a gospel gem, the Christ connection, or the story point on paper for each toddler. Demonstrate how to make the paper appear old and worn by crumpling it and opening it over and over. Fold the paper to make a book. Retell the story. SAY • Hezekiah and Josiah loved God. The people found the book of the law in the temple when Josiah was king. Josiah told the people to love and obey God. GOD PLANNED TO SEND JESUS. Jesus helps His people obey God.

Take turns being king/queen Provide a toy or paper crown, scepter, and a soft blanket to be a royal robe. Help a toddler dress up like a king or queen. Help her stand, wave the scepter, and say, “Love God.” Guide the other children to bow or cheer. Play again so each toddler has a turn. Retell the Bible story. SAY • Judah had many bad kings, but Hezekiah and Josiah loved God. Judah obeyed God when the king obeyed Him. GOD PLANNED TO SEND JESUS to rescue us from sin forever. Jesus helps His people obey God.

Play with people figures Set up a doll house with people figures. Make sure to include figures of different generations. Talk about families as toddlers play. Retell the Bible story. SAY • God promised someone in David’s family would always be king. Kings Hezekiah and Josiah loved God. Judah obeyed God when the king obeyed Him. GOD PLANNED TO SEND JESUS. Jesus always obeyed God perfectly.

Turn back to God Play music and invite toddlers to walk in a circle. When you say, “Turn to God,” they must turn and go the other direction. Play again; then retell the Bible story. SAY • GOD PLANNED TO SEND JESUS. Jesus always obeyed God perfectly.

Babies & Toddlers Leader Guide 40 Unit 15 • Session 2 BONUS Teaching Hour

SESSION TITLE: Hezekiah and Josiah BIBLE PASSAGE: 2 Chronicles 29; 34–35 KEY PASSAGE: 2 Chronicles 7:14b STORY POINT: God planned to send Jesus. CHRIST CONNECTION: Jesus always obeyed God perfectly.

Transition activity: Good kings, bad kings Draw angry/sad faces on 12 craft sticks, and draw happy faces on 6 craft sticks to represent the from David to Josiah. Draw corresponding faces on two cups. Invite toddlers to lay the sticks on the floor or table as you count and sort the angry/sad faces. Talk about the Bible story. SAY • Many kings of Judah did not love God or obey Him. Hezekiah and Josiah loved God! Judah obeyed God when the king obeyed Him. GOD PLANNED TO SEND JESUS to be the perfect King. Jesus helps His people obey God.

Find a scroll Before class, write the Christ connection on paper and tape it into a scroll. Hide the scroll in a favorite play center. While the children play, lead them to find the scroll. Read the message to the children. Retell the Bible story. SAY • Hezekiah and Josiah loved God. Hezekiah took away the things that did not belong in God’s temple so people could obey God. GOD PLANNED TO SEND JESUS. Jesus helps His people obey God.

Clean the room Provide clean washcloths and spray bottles of water for toddlers to clean the room. Guide toddlers to pick up toys and clear away trash. Retell the story. SAY • Hezekiah and Josiah loved God. Josiah cleaned and repaired the temple. GOD PLANNED TO SEND JESUS. Jesus always obeyed God perfectly.

Check diapers, serve a snack if needed, and release toddlers to parents according to your church’s security procedures. Give parents today’s big picture card to reinforce today’s Bible story, Christ Connection, story point, or gospel gems throughout the week.

The Southern Kingdom of Judah 41