******************************************************* Title: Kindergarten Program Helps for December 29, 2001 From: NAD Children's Ministries (author: Lisa Seeders) Date Completed: December 1, 2001 Abstract: Activities to be used with the story, TWO BEST FRIENDS ******************************************************* Lesson Aim: Jesus helps us be a true friend. Memory Verse: "There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Prov. 18:24, NIV GETTING THEIR ATTENTION - DISCOVERY FRIEND Materials needed: (12) pieces of construction paper Markers WHAT THE TEACHER DOES: (To prepare ahead) On the 12 pieces of construction paper write the following letters with the markers in bold large lettering: F, G, R, R, N, U, I, B, E, L, D, W Spread the letters out on a flat surface. WHAT THE CHILDREN DO: Ask the children the following questions. After they give their answer have them choose the correct letter (given in parenthesis) from the ones spread out on the floor and stand with it at the front. 1. Would you rather be with someone who is Funny or Grumpy? (Choose an "F") 2. Would you rather have someone speak to you with a Rude voice or with a Respectful voice? (Choose an "R") 3. Would you rather hang around someone with a lot of Interesting ideas or someone Boring? (Choose an "I") 4. Would you rather play with someone who has lots of Energy or someone who is Lazy? (Choose an "E") 5. Would you rather be with someone who is Nice or Unkind? (Choose an "N") 6. Would you rather have a friend who is Devoted (that means they really want to be your friend) or one who is Wishy-washy (that means someone who sometimes wants to be your friends and sometimes doesn't)? (Choose a "D") Show the children how they have spelled the word, FRIEND. Friends are fun to be with, respectful, interesting, energetic, nice, devoted and lots more. In our Bible story today we learn about two friends and how they treated each other. GO STRAIGHT INTO THE BIBLE STORY. GETTING INTO SCRIPTURE - MY BEST FRIEND, JESUS Materials needed: Stickers or pictures of Jesus (one for each child) Glue (10) popsicle sticks for each child Fine tip marker or pen (one that will write on Popsicle sticks) Masking tape Yarn (2-3" piece for each child) Bibles Aluminum foil WHAT THE TEACHER DOES: (To prepare ahead) Lay ten popsicle sticks down beside each other in a vertical row. (When the children glue the sides together they will have a flat surface like a picture frame.) On each set of 10 popsicle sticks write the memory verse, one word to each stick. Write the first five words along the left-hand side of each stick. Write the last five words along the right-hand side of each stick. Leave the middle of the frame for a sticker or picture of Jesus. WHAT THE CHILDREN DO: Show the children where the memory verse is found in the Bible. Give each child a set of 10 popsicle sticks, a sticker or picture of Jesus, a yarn piece, a piece of aluminum foil and some glue. Each child lays their popsicle sticks out on the aluminum foil in the order in which the memory verse is read and glues them side-by-side. Make sure the sticks on in the correct order before the children start any gluing. Glue or stick the picture of Jesus in the center of the sticks. After the project has dried, tape the yarn to the back as a hanger. Remind the children that sometimes friends are nice and sometimes they aren't. Sometimes we get along with our friends and something we don't. Jesus is the special friend who always sticks close to us no matter what. ACTING ON SCRIPTURE - ENCOUNTERS OF THE FRIENDLY KIND Materials needed: None WHAT THE TEACHER DOES: (To prepare ahead) There are no advance preparations necessary. WHAT THE CHILDREN DO: Say, "There are many times we meet other people. We have to decide how we will treat them. Sometimes they are friendly to us first, sometimes they are not. Sometimes they are downright mean or rude. We are going to do some play acting. If you think you would do something differently, hold up your hand and show us what to do." Role-play the following situations with another adult or youth. Have the children watch, then volunteer to show what they would do differently to "change the encounter". 1. Both of you come in and sit down in chairs. Stare at each other and look away. Don't speak or make any effort to become acquainted. 2. Pretend you are both working at your desks. One of you get up and go over to the other one and say, "Why are you coloring that way? Don't you know how to stay in the lines? Look at my picture. I color much better than you!" 3. Find some toys in the room you can play with. Sit alone and play. The other adult comes up to you, but does not enter in. Continue playing in solitude while the other adult continues to watch in silence. 4. Start a conversation with the other adult. Ask simple questions, and while the other adult is attempting to answer, keep butting in and asking more questions or talking about yourself. Don't give the other adult a chance to get a word in edgewise. (Example: Hi, what's your name? My name's___________. Where do you live? I live at _____ _____. Do you go to school? I do at ___________.) ACTING ON SCRIPTURE - FRIENDSHIP SONG Materials needed: Piano player or cassette recorder Tune for, Did you Ever See A Lassie WHAT THE TEACHER DOES: (To prepare ahead) Learn to sing the following words to the tune of Did You Ever See A Lassie Did you ever have a friend who stands beside you stands beside you Did you ever have a friend who stands beside you all the way Did you ever have a friend who holds your hand tight holds your hand tight Did you ever have a friend who holds your hand tight all the way Did you ever have a friend who really listens really listens Did you ever have a friend who really listens every day Did you know this friend is Jesus friend is Jesus friend is Jesus Did you know this friend is Jesus He sticks with you all the way WHAT THE CHILDREN DO: Have the children find a partner. They sing the song and do the motions together for each verse.