******************************************************* Title: Kindergarten Sabbath School Program, October 20, 2001 From: NAD Children's Ministries (author: Lisa Seeders) Date Completed: September 15, 2001 Abstract: Activities to use in place of program helps to teach the lesson, JESUS COMES TO HELP GIDEON ******************************************************* Lesson Aim: When Jesus asks us to do something difficult, He will give us the strength and courage to do it. Memory Verse: "Do not be afraid...for the Lord your God goes with you." Deut. 31:6, NIV GETTING THEIR ATTENTION - 10 LITTLE HELPERS Materials needed: White sticky dots WHAT THE TEACHER DOES: (To prepare ahead) Choose 10 different markers and color a set of 10 sticky dots for each child, each dot a different color. WHAT THE CHILDREN DO: Give each child a sheet of 10 different colored sticky dots. Say, "Who can God use to be his helpers?" Here's a beautiful person. (Indicate one of the colored dots on the paper such as yellow.) Everyone peel off your yellow dot and put it on your left pinky. God can use people who always look nice to be His helpers. Here's a smart person. (Indicate one of the colored dots on the paper such as green.) Everyone peel off your green dot and put it on your left ring finger. God can use people who are smart to be His helpers." Continue in this fashion until all 9 sticky dots are placed on nine of their fingers. The last sticky dot goes on the right thumb. It is to represent themselves. "You don't have to be big or important or beautiful or smart. God's best helpers are anyone who loves and trusts Him enough to do things His way." 1. Yellow dot - beautiful people 2. Green dot - smart people 3. Blue dot - important people 4. Red dot - rich people 5. Orange dot - big people 6. Black dot - famous people 7. Brown dot - strong people 8. Purple dot - people who already know what to do 9. Pink dot - Bossy people 10. Plain dot - represents each child in the room In our story today God used a very ordinary man to do a special rescue job for Him. GO STRAIGHT INTO THE BIBLE STORY. GETTING INTO SCRIPTURE - BIBLE STORY REVIEW BOX Materials needed: Cardboard box (about the size that citrus fruit is sold in) Scissors Articles for in the box: corn, grapes, olives, rock, lamb's wool, wooden or brass statue of anything WHAT THE TEACHER DOES: (To prepare ahead) Cut a hole in one side of the box in the center just large enough for a Kindergarten-size hand to fit inside. WHAT THE CHILDREN DO: After reviewing the story with the children have them close their eyes while you stick an article from the materials list in the box. Have them take turns putting their hand inside the box and guessing what is inside that has to do with the story. Stick one article in at a time until each child has had an opportunity to feel and guess. 1. Corn - grapes - olives (These three go in the box together. They represent some of the crops that the Midianites were stealing from the Israelites.) 2. Rock - The place where Gideon laid the meal that the angel of the Lord consumed with fire. 3. Lamb's wool - The test that Gideon presented before the Lord that would show that he was the man God had truly called 4. Statue - represents the idols that were torn down which was Gideon's first assignment from God. GETTING INTO SCRIPTURE - REMEMBERING THE FLEECE Materials needed: 12 small bunches of lamb's wool 12 clothes pins Small rope for clothes line Bibles WHAT THE TEACHER DOES: (To prepare ahead) String the clothesline across the room. Hang the 12 small bunches of lamb's wool on the line with the clothes pins. Hang them at least 4-6 inches apart from each other if possible. WHAT THE CHILDREN DO: Say, "Remember the fleece Gideon put out on the ground to find out if he was really the right man for the job God had called him to do? Here we have Gideon's fleece hanging out to dry. Every step of the way as Gideon goes on the assignment or job God has given him to do he needs to remember the words of your memory verse." Show the children where the verse is found in the Bible. Repeat it several times together. Go up to the clothesline. As you remove the first bunch of lamb's wool say the first word of the verse. Remove the second bunch of lamb's wool while repeating the second word from the verse. Continue in this manner until all nine bunches of lamb's wool are removed from the line. Clip them back up and have the children try the activity following your example. Say, "If Gideon can remember the fleece test and the words from the scripture, He will have all the strength and courage he needs to do his job for God. ACTING ON SCRIPTURE - THE LORD IS WITH ME Materials needed: None WHAT THE TEACHER DOES: (To prepare ahead) There are no advance preparations necessary WHAT THE CHILDREN DO: This game is similar to Mother-May-I. Line all the children up at the back of the room. You stand at the front of the room. Remove any chairs or obstacles that will prevent the children from free access to getting to you. Remind them that they learned in the Bible story today that the Lord goes with us and helps us in every situation. You are going to read problem scenario's to the children. They are to respond after each one with the answer, "The Lord my God goes with me." They may than do the directive of movement indicated in the parenthesis toward you. (Change the directives to fit your size room if necessary.) The object of the game is for everyone to arrive together with you are by responding with a faith answer. 1. Susan has gotten in trouble at school. The teacher asks her to stay behind after all the other children leave. Susan is sorry for her mistake. She has already asked Jesus to forgive her. She is afraid of what the teacher will say and do. What does Susan need to remember? (You may all take 2 giant steps forward.) 2. Justin plays the violin. One week someone asks him to play at church. Justin is afraid to get up in front of the congregation. What does Justin need to remember? (You may all take 3 baby steps forward.) 3. JoAnn is going to a new babysitter's house for the first time. She is afraid because she is not use to the house or the way this new babysitter does things. What does JoAnn need to remember? (You may all take 1 scissor step forward.) 4. Brian's mother sent him on an errand. He was suppose to walk to a nearby neighbor's with some flowers for her. As he walks down the street he tries to remember which house mother wanted him to deliver the flowers at. All the houses look alike. Brian begins to feel lost and afraid. What does Brian need to remember? (You may all take 2 bunny hops forward.) 5. John's mother and father do not live together anymore. John stays with his mother most of the time. Today is the first time he is suppose to go visit his father by himself. Even though John loves his father he is afraid, because he is not used to visiting with both of his parents at different times. What does John need to remember? (You may all take 6 baby steps forward.)