The Story of Isaiah (Nov. 23rd)

Season of the Church Year: Common Time “Great Green Growing” Season (Liturgical Color: Green)

Story in Scripture: We recommend reading “Operation: No More Tears” in the Jesus Storybook Bible (p. 144) 

We have spent the summer learning about the Old Testament. Going back all the way to Creation and the Family of God (tracing the family line from Abraham and Sarah.. through Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Samuel, Ruth,  David, and more) as we sought to understand God’s long and winding rescue plan. As we moved on to Isaiah today, we learned about God’s messages of hope to his people as the world was prepared for the birth of Jesus. These messages were received by some with hopeful hearts and others with worry about how God would make things right. Each of these prophecies pointed the way to Bethlehem and the Gospel story. 

Guiding Questions for Discussion

(Note: These are the usual questions that are asked after Old Testament character studies.) 
Now I wonder which part of the story you liked best? 
I wonder what part is the most important? 
I wonder what part is about you…. Or what part was especially for you? 
I wonder what the story of Abraham and his family might be teaching you? 

Prayer
“Father, thank you for Isaiah. We can learn so much from the messages of hope that he shared with the People of God. Help us to listen to you, like Isaiah did. Help us to hear your messages of hope and prepare our hearts for Jesus. Amen.” 

The Story of the Prophets (Nov. 16th)

Season of the Church Year: Common Time “Great Green Growing” Season (Liturgical Color: Green)

Story in Scripture: Amos 5:21-23-24

As we prepare for the season of Advent and the anticipation of Christ’s birth, we learned about the prophets who shared the good news of his coming first. As we shared with the children, there are some people who come so close to God, and God comes so close to them, that they know what God wants them to say or do. These people are called prophets. They know the best way. Both men and women are prophets, so both boys and girls can grow up to be prophets. I encourage you to allow your child to capture a bit of the excitement that the prophets must have felt… to hear God’s voice… telling them these important things… and being responsible to share it with the people. You may consider the eagerness and intensity in the Peter Gabriel song “Solsbury Hill.” Obviously this is not categorized as a Christian or Biblical song, but it does really highlight the duality of what the prophets must have felt. They were surely exhilarated to hear from God, but challenged and intimidated by the task of sharing it with the people. We have so much to be thankful for- without the prophets, we would know much less about the heart of God and his rescue plan. 

Guiding Questions for Discussion

Now I wonder what you like best about the prophets? 

I wonder what’s the most important thing about the prophets? 

I wonder if you know any prophets… or if any prophets know you? 

I wonder if the prophets in the Bible are all the prophets we need? 

Prayer

“Father, thank you for the prophets. We are so grateful that they listened so closely to you and shared with your people all the important things you had to say. Help us to listen and wait to hear your word. Amen.” 

The Ten Best Ways to Live (Oct. 26th & Nov. 11th)

Season of the Church Year: Common Time “Great Green Growing” Season (Liturgical Color: Green)

Story in Scripture: Exodus 19-20; Deuteronomy 6:4-6

The Ten Commandments are such a pivotal message in the Old Testament. As Moses returned from Mount Sinai, he brought with him and whole new way of being in the world. God’s framework for our lives, in communion with him and one another are so important. When we teach the children about them, we divide them into two main groups. We must consider ways that God tells us to love him and ways that God tells us to love one another. This is the way we phrase the scripture (with a few notations about how they are explained): 1. Do not serve other Gods. (He is our one true God, the creator of all things and our Father.) 2. Make no idols to serve. (God should come first in your life. Always. Nothing should be more important than him.) 3. I am God… do not speak my name lightly. (When we speak to and about God, we must remember that he is powerful, mighty, and BIG. We should be respectful.) 4. Keep the Sabbath holy… to rest and remember the gifts of creation. (Even God rested! We should find time to be quiet and calm.) [[[5. Honor your father and your mother. (God gave us these people to protect, care, and provide for us. We should always treat them with love.) 6. Do not kill. (Remember that even Jesus treated those who tortured him with peace and love. God doesn’t want us to kill others and take away his gift of life.) 7. Do not break your marriage. (God intends for families to stay together. He knows that families need one another, husbands & wives must love and respect one another and care for their families.) 8. Do not steal. (We should never take something that doesn’t belong to us.) 9. Do not lie. (When we are honest with our words and our actions, we are following God’s plan for our lives.) 10. Do not even want what others have. (We must be grateful for what we have and be thankful instead of jealous.)<— we will cover the last 6 commandments in the next lesson]]]

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

I wonder how it feels to be free, to be able to do anything you want to?  

I wonder how it feels to be able to do anything you want, but you don’t know what to do? 

I wonder if it’s hard to be free? 

I wonder how Moses felt going up the holy mountain? 

I wonder what Moses and God talked about? 

I wonder if it’s hard to love God and love people? 

Prayer:

“Lord, we are thankful for your Law. You have given us a way to live our lives. Thank you for teaching us how to love you and how to love each other. Help me to say ‘I’m sorry’ when we make a mistake and break a commandment. I love you and I am so glad that you are alongside me each day and night. Amen.” 

Talking to God (Oct. 19th)

Season of the Church Year: Common Time “Great Green Growing” Season (Liturgical Color: Green)

Story in Scripture: Psalm 5: 7 

This week, we revisited the concepts from our lesson about the Classroom Sanctuary. These behaviors are so important and they require quite a bit of repetition for the little ones, especially those who have just transitioned from the Toddler classroom. We moved in to a discussion of Prayer and the ways that we interact with and talk to God. As a group, children will enjoy the picture book In God’s Name by Sandy Eisenberg Sasso. This book explores the various ways that we draw near to God- through his strength, through his peace, through his provision. The children discussed the various ways they have seen God in their own lives. The children also practiced a few simple prayers together and shared prayer requests after a short conversation about them. Finally, a good deal of time was devoted at the end of today’s lesson for children to write, draw, paint, or sculpt a prayer to God. 

Note: Parents, if you look up this book on Amazon, the summary says that this book shares a Unitarian/ Universalist message. I disagree. I believe that this book is a beautiful way to share the different ways that God meets us in our need. He is our Father, our Comforter, our Healer. As we sahreed this book today, we reminded the children throughout of God’s rescue plan for salvation- through his Son Jesus Christ.  This book tells a part of that rescue plan… God knows us and loves us and cares for us just as he knows we need. He loves us and talks to us in so many different and wonderful ways. 

Guiding Questions for Discussion

Now I wonder what you think of when you think of God? 

I wonder what you see in your thoughts when you say his name? 

I wonder what sorts of things you might want to talk to God about? 

I wonder if there is anything that you think you should tell God about right now? 

Prayer

“Dear God, thank you for listening to me when I share my thoughts and prayers with you. I know that you care for me and I am so glad that we can talk every single day- in the morning, in the daytime, and even late late at night. Amen.” 

Orientation to the Classroom Sanctuary (Oct. 12th)

Season of the Church Year: Common Time “Great Green Growing” Season (Liturgical Color: Green)

Story in Scripture: Psalm 5:7

This Sunday’s lesson centered around the experience of being in a Sanctuary. Children discussed the importance of entering reverently and peacefully into the classroom (sometimes called the Worship Space). Their teacher helped them to visualize and give words to the various expectations we have for their behavior in the classroom. The primary directives that they will return to throughout this conversation are that, in the Sanctuary, we (1) Walk peacefully, (2) Talk softly, (3) Move slowly (there’s no reason to hurry!), and (4) Give our friends time and space to be with God. Their teacher will also discuss with them the use of reminders, should they need them. The overall purpose of this lesson is to prepare the children to engage in worship corporately and independently on Sundays. Teachers will revisit these concepts frequently throughout the year. 

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

Now I wonder how we can show God that we are ready to worship? 

I wonder how God knows that we are listening to him? 

Many people choose to worship God through story-telling, singing, making art work, and reading. 

What are your favorite ways to worship God? Why?  

Prayer:

“Father, help me to enter into a time of worship with you peacefully. I want to spend time with you, but it’s hard to slow down when things are so busy. Please meet me every day to share our love together and to teach me about your story. Amen.” 

The Story of David (Sept. 28th)

Season of the Church Year: Common Time “Great Green Growing” Season (Liturgical Color: Green)

Story in Scripture: 1 Samuel 16- 31, 2 Samuel, Kings 1-2

As we continue our learning about the family tree of Jesus; reaching all the way back to Abraham and Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Samuel, Joseph, Ruth; and all their amazing struggles and adventures, we have learned a lot about why we need Christ’s salvation and how God was making the world ready for his Son. Today we looked at the life of King David. We went all the way back to the beginning.. when he was a young, artistic shepherd boy. The youngest of an important family. He was marked as the future King before Saul had died, so he grew up knowing the burden of responsibility. When he defeated Goliath… when he sent Uriah into battle… when he wooed Bathsheba… when he realized his sin through Nathan’s parable… when he brought the Ark of the Covenant home to Jerusalem… these were all moments of clarity in the life of David and in our learning about him. He was not perfect. He was not sinless. But he drew close to God in his sin and begged forgiveness. The Psalms are full of his laments and put words to our own sins and disappointments, as well as the joy and blessing that we feel in our walk with God. One of the most important themes of this lesson centers around the idea that we need rescuing. David was a good king, but we need the true King. The King of Heaven and Earth. Even the one who defeated Goliath can’t save us. We need Jesus. 

As we told the story, we did not spend a lot of time discussing the relationship between David and Bathsheba. We explained that David wanted Bathsheba to be his wife and so he made a terrible choice to send Uriah into battle to be lost. I recommend that you tread lightly on this topic with he younger students, as it is obviously rife with complicated ideas. 

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

(Note: These are the usual questions that are asked after Old Testament character studies.) 
Now I wonder which part of the story you liked best? 
I wonder what part is the most important? 
I wonder what part is about you…. Or what part was especially for you? 
I wonder what the story of Abraham and his family might be teaching you? 

Prayer:

“Father, thank you for David. We can learn so much from his adventurous life. I pray that you would help me to listen to your plan for my life and go with me through all my adventures, even if I am scared or nervous. I know that you are always with me. Help me to be the kind of person that can bring joy to you and who can show the world how powerful and wonderful you are. Amen.” 

The Story of Ruth (Sept. 21st)

Season of the Church Year: Common Time “Great Green Growing” Season (Liturgical Color: Green)

Story in Scripture: Ruth 1: 6-17 

As we explored the story of Ruth on Sunday, we connected God’s story between the generations that preceded her and those that will come after. Ruth is King David’s Great Grandmother! This story focuses attention on the nomadic events of Ruth’s life with her mother-in-law Naomi after the death of her husband. She chooses to stay with Naomi, rather than return to her own people. Later, when they are gathering grain, Boaz sees Ruth and they eventually wed. A few generations later, David was born to Ruth’s grandson Jesse. It is quite engaging for children to realize that Ruth was Jesus’ ancestor. During the lesson, we ask the children to wonder about whether Ruth knew how special her marriage with Boaz would prove to be.

Guiding Questions for Discussion

(Note: These are the usual questions that are asked after Old Testament character studies.) 
Now I wonder which part of the story you liked best? 
I wonder what part is the most important? 
I wonder what part is about you…. Or what part was especially for you? 
I wonder what the story of Ruth and her family might be teaching you? 

Prayer
“Dear Lord, protect me from getting grouchy when things don’t happen the way I expect them to. Help me to think about your story and the ways that you are in control. I want things to happen the way you want them to happen. Thank you for all the ways that you care for my family and I everyday. Amen.” 

The Story of Samuel (Sept. 14th)

Season of the Church Year: Common Time “Great Green Growing” Season (Liturgical Color: Green)

Story in Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-21

The story of Samuel is a beautiful illustration of patience, provision, and sacrifice. Although Hannah desires a child of her own, she must wait and wait for many years until Samuel is born. In fact, during the time that she is praying and hoping for a child, she prays so fervently, that a temple priest, Eli, worried that she was not well. When Samuel is born, Hannah and her husband Elkanah decide to dedicate him to the Lord. They bring him to the temple to be taught and guided by Eli in prayer, study, and care for God’s people and the ark of the covenant. You may share with your children that he was sort of like an apprentice. In our lesson with the children, we explored the experience that Samuel had in which God called him audibly and directly. Samuel responds to God and expresses, “Speak, God, for your servant hears.” What follows is not easy. Eli dies, there are terribly battles, the ark is lost…. Much later, Samuel appoints Saul to be king, and then later appoints David, Jesse’s youngest son and an ancestor or Joseph, who will one day help to raise our savior Jesus. What a big and glorious story it is! One of the most significant aspects of Samuel’s story is that he and his mother are dedicated to listening to God and doing HIS will, even if it is not exactly how they might have thought things should or could be. This lesson in submission to God takes a lifetime to learn! 

Guiding Questions for Discussion

(Note: These are the usual questions that are asked after Old Testament character studies.) 
Now I wonder which part of the story you liked best? 
I wonder what part is the most important? 
I wonder what part is about you…. Or what part was especially for you? 
I wonder what the story of Samuel and his family might be teaching you? 

Prayer
“Dear Father, I know that you understand everything and know what is best for each of us. Thank you for caring for us and blessing us with so much each and every day. Help me to listen carefully for what you share with me. Help me to do what is right and bring glory to you through my decisions. I love you and am glad that you will walk along with me in all I do. Amen.”  

The Story of Moses (Aug. 31st)

Season of the Church Year: Common Time “Great Green Growing” Season (Liturgical Color: Green)

Story in Scripture: Exodus 1: 8- 17:7, John 1: 1-17 

Many children have some idea about who Moses was, but may not understand the details of his life. This week, we learned about God’s call for him and the adventurous events that took place when he entered into God’s story. To summarize, we discussed: (1) how Baby Moses was found and cared for by the daughter of an Egyptian Pharaoh, (2) his killing of an Egyptian soldier in defense of a Jewish slave (and how he ran away), (3) his reluctant acceptance of his role as a speaker for God’s people, (4) Pharaoh’s eventual release of the Jewish slaves, (5) the Exodus into the desert, (5) the revelation of the 10 Commandments and the admonishment because of the golden calf, (6) Moses’ death before reaching the Promise Land. It is a very lengthy story! 

Guiding Questions for Discussion

(Note: These are the usual questions that are asked after Old Testament character studies.) 
Now I wonder which part of the story you liked best? 
I wonder what part is the most important? 
I wonder what part is about you…. Or what part was especially for you? 
I wonder what the story of Abraham and his family might be teaching you? 

Prayer
“Father, thank you for Moses. We can learn so much from his adventurous life. I pray that you would help me to listen to your plan for my life and go with me through all my adventures, even if I am scared or nervous. I know that you are always with me. Help me to be the kind of person that can bring joy to you and who can show the world how powerful and wonderful you are. Amen.”