week jesus wants to be three my friend forever....cards are: happy face, sad face, angry face, and...

©2020 The ReThink Group. All rights reserved. www.ThinkOrange.com

USER AGREEMENTTEAM

CEOReggie Joiner

DIRECTOR OF MESSAGINGKristen Ivy

DIRECTOR OFPRESCHOOL STRATEGYBrittany Compton Robertson

DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUMKathy Hill

DESIGN AND BRAND MANAGERSharon van Rossum

CREATIVE TEAMBrittany Compton RobertsonKathy HillAutumn WardAshley HiersDonna HighSharon van Rossum Deb Springer McKenzie CauseyMissy Purcell

WRITERSDonna HighEmily MeredithAutumn WardAshley Hiers

W E E K

J U N E 2 0 2 0

THREEY E A R - O L D S

3-5

Scripture quotations marked (NLV) are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, New Life Version. Copyright © 1969-2003 by Christian Literature International, P.O. Box 777, Canby OR 97013. Used by permission.

These resources are intended to be downloaded and printed for use by the subscribing entity only and may not be electronically transferred to or duplicated by other non-subscribing entities. Any unauthorized reproduction of this material or incorporation into a new work is a direct violation of US copyright laws. ©2019 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. First Look® and the First Look® logo are trademarks of The reThink Group.

“STATEMENT OF FAITH” USER AGREEMENTOrange gladly grants permission to churches, schools, and other licensees to tailor First Look® materials to fit their unique leadership requirements, locale and format preferences, and physical environment needs. However, if you wish to edit the content substantively, including Bible stories, learning activities, scripts, and any other content in which biblical principles and concepts are presented, you are obligated to do so within the doctrinal guidelines we’ve expressed in our Statement of Faith.

S M A L L G R O U P

JESUS WANTS TO BE MY FRIEND FOREVER.

W E E K

J U N E 2 0 2 0


3-5S M A L L G R O U P

S M A L L G R O U P

B I B L E S T O R Y

I spy someone who believes in Jesus.

PAUL’S CONVERSION ACTS 9:1-20

M E M O R Y V E R S E

“These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the

Christ, the Son of God.”

JOHN 20:31, NLV

K E Y Q U E S T I O N

Who can believe in Jesus?

B O T T O M L I N E

I can believe in Jesus.

B A S I C T R U T H

Jesus wants to be my friend forever.

©2020 The ReThink Group. All rights reserved. www.ThinkOrange.com 2

PRELUDE SOCIAL WORSHIP STORY GROUPS HOME

PRELUDE: Setting the tone for the experienceFor Leaders OnlyMonthly OverviewCreate the Environment

SOCIAL: Providing time for fun interactionOffer one or more of these activities as preschoolers arrive. Hit the Road MatchPasta Faces

WORSHIP: Inviting people to respond to GodJesus Loves Me RemixI’ve Got A Friend

STORY: Communicating God’s truth in engaging waysIntroductory SketchBible StoryPrayer

GROUPS: Creating a safe place to connectOffer as many of these activities as your time, facilities, resources, and leadership allow. WriteSmiling for JesusFollow MeParachute PartyFrom Angry to HappyJournal and Prayer

HOME: Prompting action beyond the experienceGoing HomeParent Cue

15M I N

10M I N

10M I N

25M I N

This symbol indicates an activity with potential allergens. Be sure to post allergy alert sign and inform parents at drop-off.

W E E K

J U N E 2 0 2 0



S M A L L G R O U P

B I B L E S T O R Y






JOHN 20:31, NLV



B O T T O M L I N E


B A S I C T R U T H


15 MINUTES



1. HIT THE ROAD W H AT Y O U N E E D : A car mat and toy cars

NOTE: If you do not have a car mat, use floor tape to create roads on the floor of your activity area.

W H AT Y O U D O : B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: Lay the car mat on the floor in the activity area. Set the cars on the floor next to the mat.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Encourage the children to roll the cars along the roads.

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: Gather all the cars for clean-up.

W H AT Y O U S AY: B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: “What do you see here on the floor? (Pause.) Cars! And where do cars go? (Pause.) Yes, cars travel on the road. Pick a car and roll it along the roads on the mat (or floor). Let’s make sure to share with our friends so that everyone has a chance to roll a car down the road.”

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Rolling these cars down the road was so fun. In our Bible story, today, we’ll hear something that happened to Paul when he was walking along the road. Let’s make sure we’re listening so we can find out what happened!”

T R A N S I T I O N : Move to Worship and Story by calling out different ways to “move” along the road like skipping, baby steps, big steps, jogging, high knees, marching, or moving slow like a turtle.

M O V Ean activity that uses a preschooler’s natural desire to move

to help them learn

W E E K

J U N E 2 0 2 0



S M A L L G R O U P

B I B L E S T O R Y






JOHN 20:31, NLV



B O T T O M L I N E


B A S I C T R U T H


15 MINUTES



2. MATCH W H AT Y O U N E E D : “Match” Activity Page, two pieces of cardstock, and scissors

W H AT Y O U D O : B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: Make two copies of “Match” on cardstock and cut on dotted lines. You will have a total of eight cards and four matches.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Place the cards face down in the activity area. Choose one child to go first. Ask that child to turn over one card so that everyone can see it. Ask the child to turn over another card to see if it matches. If it matches, identify the emotion on the card and set it aside. If it does not match, simply turn the cards back over in the original spot. Choose another child to have a turn. Cards are: happy face, sad face, angry face, and heart-eyes face. Repeat the activity until all of the matches have been made and all emotions have been identified.

NOTE: If all matches are made before all of the children have had a turn, simply add the matched cards back into the game until each child makes a match.

W H AT Y O U S AY: B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: “We are going to play a game!”

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: “We have cards (point) that all have matches. (Choose a child to go first.) Choose a card and turn it over. Great job! Now, turn over another card to see if we have a match (continue the activity). YAY! We have a match! This card is of a (name emotion) face! Let’s try to make another match!” (Finish activity.)

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Great job! Today, we’ll hear a Bible story about someone who was happy and sad.”

T R A N S I T I O N : Move to Worship and Story by making happy and sad faces as you walk to the story area.

P L A Yan activity that encourages preschoolers to follow guidelines

while having fun and learning new concepts

W E E K

J U N E 2 0 2 0



S M A L L G R O U P

B I B L E S T O R Y






JOHN 20:31, NLV



B O T T O M L I N E


B A S I C T R U T H


15 MINUTES



3. PASTA FACES Be sure to list the items you will be using today on the “Allergy Alert Poster” and post it at the door to your room.

W H AT Y O U N E E D : “Allergy Alert Poster”; cardstock; various types of dry pasta (elbow, bow tie, rigatoni, rotelle, fusilli); small bowls; and tablecloths

W H AT Y O U D O : B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: Copy “Allergy Alert Poser” on cardstock and hang on the door. Cover the tables with tablecloths. The children will use the pasta to create faces that show the emotions happy and sad. Place all of the “mouth” type pasta (like rigatoni, fusilli, penne, bow tie) in one bowl and all of the “eye” type pasta (like elbow and rotelle) in another bowl.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Encourage the children to select different pieces of pasta to make happy and sad faces on the table in front of them. Children can arrange the pasta to create different emotions.A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: Gather all of the pasta back in the bowls and discard plastic tablecloths for clean-up.

W H AT Y O U S AY: B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Everyone show me a sad face. (Pause.) So sad. Now, show me a happy face. Much better! Look at the bowls of pasta on the tables. Let’s use these pieces of pasta to create a happy or sad face on the table in front of you. Some of the bowls have pieces that are perfect for the eyes like this (hold up the bowl with your ‘eye’ pieces) and other bowls with pieces for the mouth.”

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Pick out pieces to make a happy and a sad face on the table in front of you. Make sure you share the pasta so everyone has what they need.”

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Look at all these happy and sad faces. Sometimes we’re happy, and sometimes we’re sad. Listen closely to our Bible story, today, to find out about a man who went from angry and sad to so, so happy!”

T R A N S I T I O N : Move to Worship and Story by calling out different emotions for the children to show on their faces as they walk. Examples: happy, sad, scared, excited, frustrated, surprised, worried, joyful, angry, brave.

E X P L O R Ean activity that channels a preschooler’s innate curiosity into a discussion

of the week’s crucial concepts

W E E K

J U N E 2 0 2 0



S M A L L G R O U P

B I B L E S T O R Y






JOHN 20:31, NLV



B O T T O M L I N E


B A S I C T R U T H


E X P L O R Ean activity that channels a preschooler’s innate curiosity into a discussion

of the week’s crucial concepts

25 MINUTES



1. WRITE Be sure to list the items you will be using today on the “Allergy Alert Poster” and post it at the door to your room.

W H AT Y O U N E E D : “Allergy Alert Poster”, cardstock, foam shaving cream, preschool paint smocks, wax paper, and wet wipes

W H AT Y O U D O : B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: Copy “Allergy Alert Poser” on cardstock and hang on the door. Lay the wax paper on top of a table in the activity area. Place a smock on each child and ask them to sit at the table.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Squirt a large dollop of shaving cream on the table in front of each child. Encourage the children to practice writing their name with their finger in the shaving cream. As the children write, say the memory verse as a class.

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: Remove smocks and clean hands. Roll up the wax paper and discard.

W H AT Y O U S AY:B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Let’s practice writing our names in a super fun way!”

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: (Give each child the shaving cream.) “Use your finger to write your name in the shaving cream. You’re doing a great job of writing! Writing reminds me of our memory verse this month. The Bible was written so that we can believe in Jesus! Let’s say our memory verse while we write.” (Say the memory verse with the children.)

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Great job! The Bible was written so that we can know and believe in Jesus! Who can bel ieve in Jesus? I can bel ieve in Jesus !”

H E A R FROM GOD

M E M O R Y V E R S E R E V I E W

W E E K

J U N E 2 0 2 0



S M A L L G R O U P

B I B L E S T O R Y






JOHN 20:31, NLV



B O T T O M L I N E


B A S I C T R U T H



to help them learn

25 MINUTES



2. SMILING FOR JESUSW H AT Y O U N E E D : “Smiling for Jesus” Activity Page; cardstock; and colorful painter’s tape or four hula hoops

W H AT Y O U D O : B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: Copy “Smiling for Jesus” as directed on pages. Make four circles with painter’s tape on the floor or spread out four hula hoops. Tape a happy face to the floor in two of the circles and a sad face to the floor in the other two circles.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Invite the children to gather around the circles. When you hold up the Jesus picture and say, “Paul did not believe in Jesus,” everyone must get inside of a circle that has a sad face, while making a sad face. When you hold up the Jesus pictures and say, “Paul believed in Jesus,” all of the children must get inside of a circle that has a happy face, while making a happy face.

W H AT Y O U S AY:D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Come here everyone! I have a game for us to play. When I say, ‘Paul did NOT believe in Jesus’ (hold up Jesus), I want you to stand inside of a circle that has a sad face while you make a sad face. If I say, ‘Paul BELIEVED in Jesus’ (hold up Jesus), I want you to stand inside of a circle that has a happy face while you make a happy face. Got it? Good!” (Go back and forth saying “Paul did NOT believe in Jesus” and “Paul BELIEVED in Jesus” as you hold up Jesus.)

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “That was fun! You are great listeners. Now, I need everyone to sit inside of a circle that has a happy face. (Wait for children to settle.) In our story, Paul did not believe in Jesus (hold up Jesus) at first. In fact, Paul was mean and hurt people who did believe in Jesus. This made Jesus sad, because Jesus loved Paul.

“But Paul met Jesus (hold up Jesus), and Paul believed in Jesus! This made everyone happy! Jesus was happy that Paul believed in Him. Paul was happy that Jesus loved him. And all of the people who believed in Jesus were happy that Paul wouldn’t hurt people anymore. Paul wrote down what happened so that we can read it in the Bible and believe in Jesus, too! Who can bel ieve in Jesus? I can bel ieve in Jesus !”

T A L K A B O U T G O D

B I B L E S T O R Y R E V I E W

W E E K

J U N E 2 0 2 0



S M A L L G R O U P

B I B L E S T O R Y






JOHN 20:31, NLV



B O T T O M L I N E


B A S I C T R U T H


T H I N Kan advanced activity specifically designed for older preschoolers

25 MINUTES



3. FOLLOW MEW H AT Y O U N E E D : Bandanas and floor tape

W H AT Y O U D O : B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: Use the floor tape to create a winding road.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Line up the children in pairs. Help one child in each pair put on a bandana blindfold. Encourage the partners without blindfolds to carefully lead their partners around the room and along the “road” on the floor. When you say, “RETURN,” children must lead their partners back to where they started. Have children remove their blindfolds and switch roles so that everyone has a chance to be leader and follower.

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: Collect all the bandanas for clean-up.

W H AT Y O U S AY:B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: “In our Bible story, today, we heard how Paul’s friends had to help him get home after he was blinded on the road. Let’s take turns leading our friends down this road on the floor. One friend will be blindfolded while your partner carefully leads you. Be very careful and move slowly as you lead.”

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Okay, now that one partner is blindfolded, let’s move down the road. When you hear me say, ‘RETURN!’, I want you to lead your partners right back here. We’ll switch so that everyone has a chance to lead and follow.”

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “After the light, Paul heard a loud voice. Who was it? (Pause.) Jesus! Paul was blinded by the bright light, and his friends had to help him to the house where he stayed. But a few days later, Paul could see again, and he started believing in Jesus! And you can, too. Who can bel ieve in Jesus? I can bel ieve in Jesus.”

L I V E F O R G O D

A P P L I C AT I O N A C T I V I T Y

W E E K

J U N E 2 0 2 0



S M A L L G R O U P

B I B L E S T O R Y






JOHN 20:31, NLV



B O T T O M L I N E


B A S I C T R U T H



to help them learn

25 MINUTES



4. PARACHUTE PARTYW H AT Y O U N E E D : A large parachute; strips of crepe paper or pom-poms

W H AT Y O U D O : B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: Lay the parachute out flat in the activity area.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Gather the children to stand around the edge of the parachute then bend down and pull it up to waist level with both hands. Encourage the children to move their arms to wave the parachute. Add the crepe paper or pom-poms as the children wave their arms. Tell the children to wave the parachute when Paul is happy, then hold the parachute still to show he is sad. Call out each emotion (happy or sad) as the children wave or hold the parachute still. Repeat as time and interest allow.

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: Have the children lower their arms and set the parachute on the floor. Gather up the parachute for clean-up.

W H AT Y O U S AY: B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Friends, come over here with me. Everyone find a spot around the parachute. Let’s grab it with both hands and pull it up to our waists.”

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Let’s use the parachute to show how Paul felt. When he was happy, it was like a party. (Add the crepe paper or pom-poms.) Shake that parachute to show how happy Paul was. Now, hold it very still to show how sad Paul was.”

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “That was fun! Paul went from sad to happy. He was SO happy when he learned just how much Jesus loved him and that he could believe in Jesus. We can believe in Jesus, too! Who can bel ieve in Jesus? I can bel ieve in Jesus.”

L I V E F O R G O D


W E E K

J U N E 2 0 2 0



S M A L L G R O U P

B I B L E S T O R Y






JOHN 20:31, NLV



B O T T O M L I N E


B A S I C T R U T H


25 MINUTES

C R E A T Ean activity that allows preschoolers to review the Bible story,

bottom line, or memory verse by creating a craft to take home



5. FROM ANGRY TO HAPPY W H AT Y O U N E E D : “Angry Paul,” “Happy Paul,” “Believe,” and “Parent Note” Activity Pages; Avery® #22807 labels or equivalent; Avery® #5160 labels or equivalent; cardstock; clear punch cups, two per child; and scissors

W H AT Y O U D O : B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: Copy “Angry Paul” and “Happy Paul” onto Avery® #22807 labels or equivalent. Copy “Believe” onto Avery® #5160 labels or equivalent. Copy “Parent Note” onto cardstock and cut, one note per child.D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Have children put one “Angry Paul” sticker on a cup, this will be the outside cup. Have children put the “Happy Paul” sticker on the other cup in about the same area then place the “Believe” sticker on the opposite side of the same cup. Place this cup inside the “Angry Paul” cup. Help the children line up the cups so happy Paul is hidden behind angry Paul. Twist to find happy Paul.A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: Talk about how Paul went from not believing in Jesus and being angry to believing in Jesus and being happy.

W H AT Y O U S AY: B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Hey, friends! Come sit with me. Our story started with Paul being angry. Show me your angry face. (Pause.) Whoa! You have great angry faces. But Paul didn’t stay angry. At the end of our story, he was happy. Show me your happy face. (Pause.) Those are the best happy faces!” D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Let’s make a craft to show how Paul went from angry to happy. Take your angry Paul sticker and put it in the middle of one of your cups. (Pause.) Now, put the happy Paul sticker in the middle of the other cup. (Pause.) Put this sticker on the other side of the cup. (Pause.) This sticker tells us where we can find today’s story in the Bible. Now, watch this. Put this cup inside the first cup and line up the faces. (Pause.) When Paul didn’t believe in Jesus, he was angry and mean to the people who did believe. But Jesus spoke to him through a bright light, and he believed! He wasn’t angry anymore. Twist your cup. (Demonstrate.) He was happy! Paul went from angry to happy.” (Twist back and forth.)A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “In our story, Paul went from angry to happy with the love of Jesus, and we can do the same. When we believe in Jesus, we can go from mad to happy, too! Everyone can believe in Jesus, and when we believe in Jesus, we love people the way Jesus loves us! Who can bel ieve in Jesus? I can bel ieve in Jesus.”

L I V E F O R G O D


W E E K

J U N E 2 0 2 0



S M A L L G R O U P

B I B L E S T O R Y






JOHN 20:31, NLV



B O T T O M L I N E


B A S I C T R U T H


R E F L E C Tan activity that encourages personal application and prayer

25 MINUTES



6. JOURNAL AND PRAYER W H AT Y O U N E E D : Paperclip “Memory Verse Card” in your Bible at John 20:31. Provide a journal and a fun-shaped pen for each Small Group.

S M A L L G R O U P L E A D E R ( S G L ) : “It’s Small Group time. Today, we will help lead each other to our Small Group spot. First, I need everyone to line up behind me. Now, I want everyone to put their hands on top of the shoulders of the person in front of you. The person behind me will hold my hands. (Reach back with your hands.) Now, just look at the person’s head in front of you. As long as you have your hands on their shoulders, they can lead you. Ready? We can do this!” Slowly guide the children in a line to your Small Group spot.

S G L : “Yay! We did it. You led each other to our Small Group spot. Good job!

“Now, let’s sit down and talk about today’s Bible story. One, two, three, sit down with me! (Open the Bible and lay it in front of the children.)

“Our Bible story, today, was about a man named Paul. Do you remember how the people had to lead Paul to a friend’s house? Yeah, Paul didn’t believe in Jesus at first. In fact, not only did he not believe in Jesus, he was mean to people who did believe in Jesus! Then he met Jesus, couldn’t see for a while, people helped him, and soon he believed in Jesus, too. It really is an amazing story, and it’s all right here in the Bible. (Hold up Bible.)

“Paul wrote about everything that happened with Jesus and his new friends, and how he went from not believing in Jesus to believing in Jesus. He wanted us to know that Jesus is alive so that we can believe in Jesus, too. So, tell me, who can bel ieve in Jesus?”

C H I L D R E N A N D S G L : “I can bel ieve in Jesus!”

S G L : “Yes! And the Bible verse we have been learning says the stories in the Bible are written so that we can believe in Jesus—stories just like Paul’s. The verse says . . . (Turn the pages of your Bible to the Memory Verse Card.)“These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of

P R A Y T O G O D

P R AY E R A C T I V I T Y

W E E K

J U N E 2 0 2 0



S M A L L G R O U P

R E F L E C Tan activity that encourages personal application and prayer

25 MINUTES



God, John 20:31. (Close Bible and lay it down.)

“Let’s stand up and say that together with the motions.”

C H I L D R E N A N D S G L : “These are written (open your hands like a book) so that you (point out) may believe (point to head) that Jesus is the Christ, (point up) the Son of God. (Rock baby.) John 20:31.” (Open your hands like a book.)

Repeat the verse with motions a few times.

S G L : “I love hearing you say Bible verses! Now, it’s time to sit down, write in our prayer journal, and talk to God. (Hold journal and fun-shaped pen.)

“Some people may have thought a person like Paul could never believe in Jesus. Paul was mean, he hurt people, and he said bad things about Jesus. But then, Paul met Jesus, and it changed everything! Paul believed in Jesus. He started being kind to people and telling everyone the truth about Jesus. Do you know why Paul changed? Because everyone can believe in Jesus. EVERYONE!

“Because everyone can believe in Jesus, we’re going to make a list of people who can believe in Jesus. It can be anyone you think of, because everyone can believe in Jesus. Got it? When I say your name, tell me one person who can believe in Jesus, and I will write their name in our prayer journal. (Say each child’s name and write down what they say. Remember to print the names so the children can recognize their names and the letters.)

“This is a very special list. Let’s use it when we talk to God. Would anyone like to pray before I pray?”

Give each child who wants to pray the opportunity to do so.

PRAYERS G L : “Dear God, thank You for sending Jesus to be everyone’s friend forever. Thank You that everyone can believe in Jesus, like (read the list the children made). Jesus has the power to help every person be kind, tell the truth, and believe in Him. We are so grateful. You are the best, God, and we love You very much. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

P R A Y T O G O D

P R AY E R A C T I V I T Y

week jesus wants to be three my friend forever....cards are: happy face, sad face, angry face, and...

Documents