Lessons for kids.
Kid’s Sunday School
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Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Ephesians 2:8
Down through the Roof based on Mark 2:1-12
[1] And again he entered into Capernaum, after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.
[2] And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.
[3] And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.
[4] And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.
[5] When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
[6] But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,
[7] Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?
[8] And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?
[9] Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?
[10] But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)
[11] I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.
[12] And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.
Thoughts:
How does it feel to have a sick loved one ?
How can we help others ?
How would you feel if you were one of the people who saw this miracle taking place?
If you were crippled like this man, and Jesus made you walk again, what would you do?
Jesus Blesses the Children based on Mark 10:13-16
Lots of people came to hear Jesus tell about God’s love. The Children wanted to see Jesus too.
Jesus’ helpers told the children to go away. They said Jesus was too busy for children.
Jesus said, “Let the children come to Me. God loves children very much. Learn from the children how to love Me and be happy.”
Jesus hugged the children and prayed for them. The children were happy. Jesus was their friend.
Preschool Kids: Create a maze with blocks.
Let the children find their way through their maze.
Then, explain if we want to find Jesus, all we need to do is pray!
Jesus Feeds 5,000 People based on John 6:5-13
[5] When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?
[6] And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.
[7] Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.
[8] One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him,
[9] There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?
[10] And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
[11] And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
[12] When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.
[13] Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.
Thought:
Why do you think Jesus wanted to feed the 5,000 families?
What did Jesus feed them with ?
How do you think the little boy felt ?
What if there were not enough swings in the play ground and everyone wanted to swing, what would you do?
SHOW: To show what a big number 5000 is, you might put together some fruit loops or candy corn. Pretend that this is for five people. Then make 10 piles for 50 people. Put all of those together and explain that 10 piles like that would be enough for 500. And once you had enough for 500, 10 of those piles would be enough for 5000! Only Jesus could feed so many with one lunch.
A widow Shares What She Has base on 1 Kings 17:8-16
Preschool Lesson:
Elijah was very hungry. He asked a woman for some food. The woman looked sad. She said, “I have only a little flour and oil.”
Elijah told her to make him some bread. Elijah said, “Don’t worry. Share what you have. God will give you oil and flour.”
The woman baked bread for Elijah. Then God put more oil in her jug. And He put more flour in her jar.
Then the woman made bread for her son and herself. Every day God gave her oil and flour because she shared what she had.
The woman only had just A LITTLE TINY bit of what?
If the woman used all of her ingredients, How would she eat later?
Did the woman Share with Elijah, even though she did not have much ?
Was God happy that the woman Shared ?
Does God want us to share with others ?
ACT IT OUT: Pretend Play.
Need Bowls And Playdough
Make bread and Share with others
CRAFT: Make a Sharing Hands Wreath
Trace tiny hands and color and glue to make a wreath.
Joseph’s Brothers Come to Egypt
Bible Story: Genesis 43:1-8; 15-17; 26-30
Devotional and Background Study: Genesis 42:1-20
Memory Selection: “But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first.” Acts 7:12
The famine was in all parts of the earth. In the land of Canaan, Jacob and his family were running out of food. Jacob hears that there was food in Egypt. He sent 10 of his sons to Egypt to buy food. Jacob kept Benjamin at home, because he was afraid that he might be hurt. Remember that Joseph and Benjamin were the only sons of Jacob and Rachel, his favorite wife. Jacob thought that Joseph was dead. He could not stand to think of anything happening to Benjamin.
Jacob’s 10 sons had to come to Joseph to buy food. These were the brothers that had sold Joseph to be a slave in Egypt about 20 years earlier. Joseph knew them, but they did not recognize Joseph.
Joseph did not tell them that he was their brother. He pretended that he thought they were spies. They told him who they were and where they were from. This let Joseph find out that his father, Jacob was still alive and that Benjamin was well.
Joseph wanted to see his brother Benjamin very much. He told his other brothers that to prove that they were honest men and not spies, they would have to bring Benjamin back to Egypt with them. To make sure that they did this, Joseph would keep Simeon in prison until Benjamin was brought back.
Then Joseph had their bags filled with grain for food, and all their money was put back into their bags. They went back home to Canaan not knowing that the ruler of Egypt who had sold them food was their brother Joseph.
When they got home, they could not understand how their money got back into their bags. They were afraid the Egyptians would think they had stolen the money.
They told Jacob all that had happened to them. Jacob would not even consider allowing Benjamin to be taken to Egypt. But soon the grain they had brought back was gone and they needed food again. Jacob told his sons to return to Egypt. He still did not want to let Benjamin go. Jacob’s son, Judah, reminded him that the man in Egypt (who was really Joseph) had said they MUST bring Benjamin if they were to buy more food and get Simeon out of prison. So Benjamin went to Egypt with his brothers.
When Joseph saw that they had returned with Benjamin, he had his servant prepare a meal for him to eat with his brothers. Joseph went to his own room and cried when he saw his brother Benjamin that he loved so much.
All these things were happening according to God’s plan.
MATCHING:
Match each phrase at the top with the correct name on the bottom.
1.Land where Jacob lived
2.Father of Joseph
3.Land that Joseph ruled
4.Jacob’s youngest son
5.Jacob thought this son was dead
6.Was kept in prison in Egypt
7.Persuaded Jacob to let Benjamin go to
Egypt
8.Mother of Joseph.
9.Name given to Jacob by God.
10.King of Egypt
Judah
Benjamin
Jacob
Israel
Canaan
Pharaoh
Egypt
Joseph
Simeon
Rachel
Fishers of Men
Bible Story: Matthew 4:18-22; 13:47-50
Devotional and Background study: Luke 5:1-11
Memory Selection: “And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make You fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19
As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers fishing; Simon who was called Peter and Andrew. They had been fishing and had not had any luck.
He called unto them and told them to follow Him and He would make them “fishers of men.” They left their nets and followed HIM.
They went on from there and Jesus saw two other brothers; James, the son of Zebedee and John. They were in the ship with their father, Zebedee and were fixing their nets. He told them also to follow Him and HE would make them “fishers of men”. They left their nets and followed Him as Peter and Andrew had done.
Here we see that Jesus was calling together the material that John the Baptist had prepared. These four men and three others would be the nucleus around which the church had its beginning.
After we are saved the Lord wants us to tell others about HIM. We become “fishers of men” when we try to tell sinners about Jesus.
In today’s lesson we also find Jesus explaining what the Kingdom of Heaven is like. He compared it to a net that caught every kind of thing in the sea. When the net was brought to shore the bad was thrown away.
This is the way it will be at the end of the world. Sinners will be separated from saved people and the sinners will be cast into hell where there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
We learn from this that as soon as we become accountable we should seek the Lord with all our heart and the Lord will hear our prayer and save our soul.
Things to do:
1. Name the men in today’s lesson that Jesus called and said he would make fishers of men.__________________
2. The men all worked as _______________.
3. Jesus was calling these men together to form the _______________________ of the church he was organizing.
4. Look up the meaning of the word nucleus. Write it here ____________________________.
5. Jesus compared the Kingdom of Heaven to a ________________.
The woman at Jacob’s Well
Bible Story: John 4:1-15
Devotional and Background Study: Isaiah 55:1-3
Memory Selection: “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”Matthew 5:6.
One day Jesus and His disciples were traveling through Samaria. Jesus sat down by a well to rest while the disciples went to buy something to eat.
A woman came to the well to draw water. Jesus asked her for a drink. She was so surprised. She could tell that Jesus was a Jew. The Jews hated the Samaritans. They wouldn’t even talk to them if they could help it.
“How is it that a Jew is asking a favor of a Samaritan woman?” Jesus said, “If you knew the gift of God, and who is asking the favor, you would have asked me for living water and I would have given it to you.”
Jesus was talking about salvation, but the woman didn’t understand.
“You don’t have a bucket or a rope. How can you give me water?”
Jesus pointed to the well and said, “Whosoever drinks this water will go thirsty again. When you drink of the water I give, you will never thirst again.”
Jesus often used the words thirst and hunger when He was talking about being saved. Our bodies must have water and food to live on earth. Our souls must have heavenly water and food to live in Heaven. Only Jesus can give it to us.
Once Jesus said, “Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.” He was talking about people who wanted to be saved more than anything else.
The Samaritan woman at the well believed in Jesus and got saved. The Bible says she was so happy and excited that she left her water pot and ran into the city telling others about what Jesus had done for her.
UNSCRAMBLE:
Unscramble the letters to make words from the lesson.
uslo
eavsd
lewl
noamw
usesj
krndi
payph
shirtt
Pumpkin Prayer Carving Craft (requires an adult to help carve the pumpkin)
Get a Pumpkin and Carving tool.
Instructions:
1. Cut off the top:
Lord open my mind and fill me with your wisdom and guidance.
2. Scoop out the Yuckies:
Lord take out all of my fussies and frownies and fill me with your love.
3. Carve out the eyes:
Lord, open my eyes to see all of the beautiful things you have made.
4. Carve out the nose:
Lord help me to be a sweet, sweet fragrance for you.
5. Carve out the mouth:
Lord help me always speak Your words of love and kindness.
6. Place a candle:
Lord, let me be a light to others for you have filled me with your light.
Col. 3:17
[17] And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
God keeps his Promises Puppet Skit
Boys and girls today we are going to learn about Hannah , Samuel, and Eli. In the Bible, God’s word, it tells the true story of when Hannah gave God a special promise. You see, Hannah did not have any kids and she wanted a child very much. She prayed to God and made him a promise.
Stage:
Hannah: (Praying) Dear God, please send me a son. I promise I will give him to you Lord to do work for you. Please just give me a son.
(Dismiss from stage)
Narrator: God gave Hannah a son.
Samuel: (arrives on stage)
Narrator: She named him Samuel. There’s Samuel Hello Samuel.
Samuel: Hello boys and girls.
Narrator: Samuel is bigger now and Hannah remembered her promise to God, so she gave Samuel to a priest named Eli , so he could help and work in the temple for God.
Samuel: That’s right and I help and work in the temple for God. Just like my mom promised I would.
Eli: (arrives on stage)
Samuel : Hello Eli.
Eli: Hello Samuel. It’s been a long day. We should go to bed.
Samuel: (yawns) Yes , I am tired and we have a lot of work to do for God tomorrow. Good Night.
Samuel and Eli: (Lays down to sleep)
Narrator: (Trying to be quiet) It was on this night Samuel was Laying in his bed and God called his name.
Samuel: (Getting up from bed) Eli, is that you calling me?
Eli: No, I did not call you. Go back to bed.
Samuel: (laying back down)
Narrator: God called Samuel again.
Samuel (Getting up from bed) Eli, did you call my name?
Eli: No, It was not me calling you. Go back to bed.
Narrator: And guess what boys and girls, God called Samuel again.
Samuel (Getting up from bed) Umm, Eli, I am sorry to bother you again, but did you call my name this time? I really hear someone call my name.
Eli: No, but if the voice calls you again, answer it by saying “Speak Lord for I am your servant and I hear you”
Narrator: That’s exactly what Samuel said to the Lord and God gave him a very important message to give to Eli.
Eli: (Leaves stage)
Samuel: (standing) I am glad my mother kept her promise to give me to God. I know how important it is to worship and serve God through my mother’s example and working with Eli in the temple. I followed Eli’s instructions and answered God’s call. I even always put God first and served him.
Narrator: Yes Eli, you obeyed like a good boy and said your prayers too.
Samuel: Boys and girls, did you know God heard my prayers for others. That’s right God saved the lives of an entire nation.
Narrator: Thank you for praying Eli. God hears everyones prayers. We should all answer God’s call by praying and we could be saved too. God promises us heaven when we are saved.
Bye Samuel. Thanks for the lesson.
Samuel: Bye boys and girls, Remember: God keeps his promises. Just pray and talk to God when he calls you.
Kids Lesson
Gen.12
[1] Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
[2] And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
[3] And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
[4] So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.
[5] And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.
[6] And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land.
[7] And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.
[8] And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.
[9] And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.
[10] And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.
[11] And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon:
[12] Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive.
[13] Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.
[14] And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair.
[15] The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house.
[16] And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.
[17] And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram’s wife.
[18] And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife?
[19] Why saidst thou, She is my sister? so I might have taken her to me to wife: now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way.
[20] And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him: and they sent him away, and his wife, and all that he had.
Gen.13
[1] And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south.
[2] And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
[3] And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai;
[4] Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD.
[5] And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents.
[6] And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.
[7] And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.
[8] And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.
[9] Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
[10] And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
[11] Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.
[12] Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.
[13] But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.
[14] And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:
[15] For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.
[16] And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.
[17] Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.
[18] Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD.
Abraham, Sarah, and Lot packed to travel with all their belongings. God told Abraham the land of Canaan would be his and his children’s’. Abraham went to Canaan. Food would not grow in Canaan , so Abraham moved to Egypt. There was lots of food in Egypt. However, God wanted Abraham to live in Canaan. Abraham went back to Canaan. Abraham believed God’s promises. He built an altar and worshiped God. God would keep all of his promises.
Joy in Serving God
Lesson Text Luke 10:1-3; 17-20
Luke 10:[1] After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
[2] Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
[3] Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.
Luke 10:[17] And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
[18] And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
[19] Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
[20] Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
Memory Selection: “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Psalms 126:6
INTRODUCTION
Are you happy today? If not, why are you not happy/ If you are, why are you? As you greet friends and family at church are you glad that you could come to church? Happiness and joy come from doing things with people we like and with whom we enjoy spending time.
Do you enjoy doing chores your parents ask you to do? Do you put forth your best effort in doing those chores? When we do things we are asked to do to the best of our ability, we can take satisfaction in a job well done. You are asked to help both because your help is needed and to teach you responsibility. Learning this responsibility helps prepare you for adult life.
SERVING GOD
God is our creator. God not only made us, but He also made everything around us. God knows all things so He knows what is best for us. Just as our parents ask us to do things for them, God has things that He wants us to do in His service. If we do as God expects of us, He will bless us and let us know that He is pleased with our actions and service.
The first and most important thing that God expects from us is to seek Him for salvation when He calls us into account for our sins. When a soul meets the conditions of repentance and faith in Jesus it gives the Lord great joy to save that soul. Luke 15:10 says, “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Likewise when the Lord saves a soul, the person feels peace and joy. In Romans 15:13 we read, “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”
After being saved, God’s spirit will be there to lead and guide us if we will let Him (John 16:7-14.) Seeking and following God’s leadership and guidance enables us to serve Him with joy. 1 Peter 1:8 teaches, “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, through now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.”
JOY IN LABOR AND SERVICE
The lesson text tells about Jesus sending out seventy disciples to spread the good news (gospel) of His coming and His saving grace. As He sent them out Jesus emphasized to them that there was a great harvest of souls but few labors to help bring in that harvest. He also warned them that He was sending them as lambs among wolves. Jesus did not send them out without instruction or without power from Him. The passage of Luke 10 between the lesson text verses records the instructions Jesus gave to the ones sent. He instructed them on where to go, how to conduct themselves and what to do. He gave them power to heal the sick and to preach His gospel.
The seventy returned to Jesus in great joy. They were joyful because of God’s power they had witnessed and experienced. They told Jesus, “Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.” No doubt Jesus rejoiced with them but the lesson tells that He warned and taught them not to rejoice in the wrong things. He told them that He would give them power to walk on poisonous snakes and scorpions and power to overcome the powers of Satan, whom He had seen cast out of heaven. But Jesus warned them not to rejoice in these powers, but to rejoice because their names were written in heaven – because they had been saved.
CONCLUSION
The instruction Jesus gave to the returning seventy is true for us. If we are saved we need to rejoice and praise God for it. We should look for ways to use the talents and abilities with which He has blessed us to serve Him with joy. We should never rejoice in any of those talents or abilities but in the fact that our name is written in the Lamb’s book of life in heaven.
Study references: Nehemiah 4:6; Nehemiah 12:43; Psalm 40:8; Psalm 100:2, John 4:36; Acts 11:22-23.
Esau and Jacob Choose to Get Along
Based on Genesis 27:1-28:4; 32:3-21; 33:1-11
Esau had been born a few minutes ahead of Jacob. Their father wanted Esau to be in charge of the family. One day Jacob saw Esau go hunting.
When Esau came back, he learned that Jacob had tricked their dad. Now Jacob was in charge. Esau was angry, and Jacob ran far away.
Years later, Jacob had his own family. But he wanted to see his brother again. He said to a servant, “Take these animals as gifts to Esau.”
Jacob hoped Esau would not be angry. He wasn’t. The twin brothers hugged each other. They chose to get along.
Act it out: Act out the story of Jacob’s return with your child. You may want to use towels and bathrobes for simple costumes. Stand on opposite sides of the room. You can play Esau. You might want to cross your arms and pretend to be solemn. Your child can be Jacob and come to you bringing a favorite stuffed animal, pet, or toy as a gift. When you see your child coming, run and giver her a big hug as you say, “I want to get along. Let’s not fight anymore.”
Discussion: Since we are human, we don’t get along together all the time-not matter how hard we try. Discuss this with your child and plan how to settle disagreements that arise between siblings in your family or between neighborhood children and your child. To lighten moments of disagreement with a smile, use this rhyme for the next difficult time.
We get mad and sometimes fight.
We might even pout or frown.
God would rather see us smile,
So get the frowns turned upside down!
Sing: If your Happy and you Know it
and Down in my Heart
Thanksgiving Lesson
Bible Verse: Psalm 107:1
“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
Why We Celebrate This Holiday:
Thanksgiving is a day to give thanks for God, friends, family, food, shelter and anything else you are thankful for. As most people know, the very first Thanksgiving was celebrated after the Pilgrims learned how to farm and fish from the Indians. The pilgrims were thankful that they survived a long winter and now had enough food to eat. They celebrated by hosting a feast and inviting those who helped them. Today, we celebrate Thanksgiving in much of the same way-we have a big traditional Thanksgiving meal with family and friends.
Lesson Ideas:
1.I am Thankful Because: Children will reflect on their life and how they are thankful for the things in which God provides.
2.Jesus Heals: The Bible teaches us how Jesus heals those who are sick and they are thankful for him. Talk to the children about how Jesus helped the people of his time and why they were thankful.
3.Food We Eat: This is a good time to talk about healthy eating. Have the children cut out pictures from magazines showing the different food groups.
Decorations:
1.Decorate the room with fall decorations such as leaves, pumpkins and hay.
2.Place a large cornucopia on the table and fill it with fruit and nuts.
3.Hang pictures of pilgrims, Indians and turkeys in the room.
Craft:
Thanksgiving Placemats
Take a large sheet of construction paper and make a placemat. Paint the child’s hand in brown paint and press onto the paper. Make a turkey out of the handprint by adding eyes, gobbler and a beak. Add legs. When it has dried, laminate and use as a placemat.
Snacks:
1.Have a mini-Thanksgiving feast. Serve turkey sandwiches, cranberry flavored Jello-o jigglers, popcorn and carrot sticks.
2.Make sugar cookies in the shape of turkeys, pumpkins and any other Thanksgiving shapes. Give the kids frosting and fall colored sprinkles and let them decorate.
Game:Pumpkin Bowling
Set empty two liter bottles out in the shape of bowling pins. Give the kids a small pumpkin and let them roll it across the room to see how many pins they can knock over.
Gift Idea:
Give each child a small pumpkin to take home, or make or buy a pilgrim hat for them to wear home.
Veterans Day Lesson Plan
Bible Verse
This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. ~ Psalm 118:24
Why We Celebrate This Holiday
Veterans Day is a day in which Americans recognize and honor their military veterans of war. This is a federal and a state holiday and is celebrated the Monday of the week of November 11. This holiday was first called Armistice Day and was proclaimed on November 11, 1919 by President Wilson. Later, on November 8, 1954, this day became known as Veterans Day. This is a day where we should pause and consider the sacrifices made by those serving in the U.S. military. Ceremonies and celebrations are held across the United States to make this recognition. While there is, of course, nothing in the bible that talks about this day, children can learn that we should be happy and rejoice in those that made our lives better by serving for our country.
Lesson Ideas
1. Patriotism: there are many lessons in the bible about patriotism and standing up for your beliefs. Use these lessons to reinforce the ideas of Veterans Day. Those that served in the military believed in their country and made a stand to make the United States a better place.
2. Sacrifices: Those in the military often make the ultimate sacrifices in order to protect the country. Talk about those in the bible that did the same thing.
3. Joyfulness: We should be joyful that we have brave people looking out for our country. Talk about what it means to be joyful.