Sticking With God: Knowing His Hope



Sticking With God: Knowing His Hope

Week 5: God Gives Us Hope Through Jesus’ Resurrection

This includes:

Leader Preparation

Lesson Guide

LEADER PREPARATION

BIBLE BASIS

There would be nothing to hope in if we could not put our hope in God. Thankfully, God gives his children the hope of a home in heaven, answered prayers, eternal life, his uninterrupted presence…the list goes on. Peter calls it our “great expectation.” Hope is real because our God is real. Use this lesson to help kids grow in their understanding of the hope God gives us through Jesus’ resurrection.

DISCOVERY POINT

God gives us hope through Jesus’ resurrection.

BIBLE FOCUS

1 Peter 1:3-6

KEY VERSE

“Because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation” (1 Peter 1:3).

TEACHING PREP

The short overview below is designed to help you prepare for your lesson.

Supplies You’ll Need: Sticking With God: Knowing His Hope (Year 2/Quarter 7) CD, LIVE Children’s Curriculum (Year 2) DVD, CD player, TV/DVD player, prepared balloons, permanent markers, tape, envelopes, index cards, pencils, contact paper, poster board, “Know Hope” handout, “Safe and Sound” handout, and basket of candy

Before This Lesson

• Print the “Safe and Sound” handout. You’ll need one half of the handout per crew of four kids.

• Print and cut enough “Know Hope” tickets for each child to have one. Fold and insert each ticket into a balloon, and inflate one for each child plus a few extras in case some pop. Fill a basket with enough candy for each child to have one piece, and place the basket out of sight.

• Assemble Bible Exploration Kits (one per four kids): Bibles; “Safe and Sound” handout; tape; contact paper; poster board; enough of the following supplies for each child to have one of each: index cards, pencils, permanent markers, prepared balloons, and envelopes.

• Review 1 Peter 1:3-6.

• Cue "Into the Bible" (Track 1) on the Sticking With God: Knowing His Hope (Year 2/Quarter 7) CD or (Quarter 7/Track 1) on the LIVE Children’s Curriculum (Year 2) DVD.

• Huddle briefly with your volunteers beforehand. Answer any questions they have. Encourage them and pray.

PARENT EMAIL

We’ve provided you with a “Family Devotion” handout to send the Bible learning and faith discovery home. When kids and parents have faith discussions regularly, kids’ faith multiplies.

So we’ve given you two options:

• Print the “Family Devotion” handout and make enough copies for each child to take one home.

• Email the “Family Devotion” to families before or after the actual lesson.

Or why not do both? That way you’ll double the opportunities for parents to actually get the handout.

Sticking With God: Knowing His Hope

Week 5: God Gives Us Hope Through Jesus’ Resurrection

LESSON GUIDE

WELCOME!

Supplies: assembled Bible Exploration Kits, Sticking With God: Knowing His Hope (Year 2/Quarter 7) CD, LIVE Children’s Curriculum (Year 2) DVD, CD player, TV/DVD player

1. Play “Into the Bible” (Track 1) from the Sticking With God: Knowing His Hope (Year 2/Quarter 7) CD or (Quarter 7/Track 1) from the LIVE Children’s Curriculum (Year 2) DVD as kids arrive.

• “Into the Bible”

Makes me wanna jump!

Jump! Jump! Jump! Jump!

Makes me wanna sing! Hallelujah!

It’s the greatest book.

Come and take a look.

Makes me wanna shout!

Shout! Shout! Shout! Shout!

So that everyone will see

I’m getting into the Bible

And the Bible...is getting into me!

We’re discovering a brand-new world

As we dig a little deeper (deeper),

Finding out about who God is.

Open it up and see it (see it)!

There’s nothin’ like

God’s Word, and I get

So excited.

It makes me wanna,

Makes me,

Makes me wanna jump!

Jump! Jump! Jump! Jump!

Makes me wanna sing! Hallelujah!

It’s the greatest book.

Come and take a look.

Makes me wanna shout!

Shout! Shout! Shout! Shout!

So that everyone will see

I’m getting into the Bible

And the Bible...is getting into me!

“Into the Bible” by Jay Stocker. © 2006 Group Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Permission to use lyrics granted for local church use only. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

2. Have kids form Bible Crews and remove an inflated balloon and a permanent marker from the Bible Exploration Kits for each person.

SAY: Think of something you’re looking forward to. Write about it or draw a picture on the outside of your balloon. When everyone is ready, we’ll play a game.

3. Have all the kids form a circle. Let them take turns sharing what’s on their balloons. SAY: God wants you to have hope—lots of it. God wants you to be excited about the things he has in store for your life. Toss your balloons in the air, and let me see how excited you would feel if the things you’re hoping for happened. Whatever you do, don’t let any balloons touch the floor.

4. Play for a couple of minutes, then SAY: Aren’t you glad our hopes aren’t based on whether or not a balloon touches the floor? Our excitement would go up and down like the balloons, and we could get discouraged very quickly. God has given us a hope we can count on no matter what. Let’s find out why we can always hope in God.

Start the “3-D Countdown” (Quarter 7/Countdown Track 1) on the LIVE Children’s Curriculum (Year 2) DVD, and turn the volume way up. Lead the kids in counting along.

LET’S EXPLORE!

Supplies: assembled Bible Exploration Kits, balloons from Welcome!

1. SAY: God created us to feel excited about the great things that are ahead of us. Today we’re going to discover that God gives us hope through Jesus’ resurrection. Let’s check it out in 1 Peter 1:3. Have Bible Crews take the Bibles out of their Bible Exploration Kits. Help them find the passage. Have the kids toss their balloons into the air. Ask the Bible Crew member whose balloon touches the floor last to read the verse aloud to his or her crew. When everyone has read the passage, ask the kids to toss their balloons in the air again, and shout out the word from the verse that means hope (expectation). SAY: Peter said, “We live with great expectation.”

ASK:

• What does it feel like when you expect something?

• What does it feel like to have a “great expectation”?

• When have you felt that way?

2. SAY: Hope is much more than wishing. When we blow out a birthday candle or wish on a star, that’s not hope; that’s wishing. When we hope, we believe without a doubt that something will happen. Hope is the ability to trust that God will do good things in our lives even when bad things happen. The Bible tells us that God gives us hope through Jesus’ resurrection. God’s great power is what raised Jesus from the dead. That’s a lot of power! If God can raise Jesus from the dead, he can do anything! We just need to place our hope in him.

Invite kids to use their human power to pop their balloons by sitting on them. Have them remove and read what is written on the tickets (“-_no_ hope”). SAY: Without God, we have no hope. But when we put our faith in Jesus, God not only forgives our sin, he gives us promises to look forward to. He changes everything. We had “no hope,” but now we “know hope” in our hearts and our minds. Have the kids write a “k” and a “w” on the lines of the tickets. Explain the new word that is formed. Later, you’ll turn in your tickets to receive a surprise gift, so you can hope for that gift. But for now, let’s use them to help us understand what it means to hope.

3. Have the kids read 1 Peter 1:4. Explain that an inheritance is something we receive when a family member dies and leaves behind money or other possessions they want their children to have. An inheritance is a gift we’re given simply because we’re part of the family. ASK:

• What is something you own that’s really important to you?

• How do you keep it safe?

Ask the kids to imagine that their “Know Hope” tickets are a priceless inheritance. Invite them to seal their tickets inside one of the envelopes from the Bible Exploration Kits. SAY: The envelopes will help protect your ticket and keep it from getting lost. In an even greater way, God seals and keeps the promise of heaven for those who put their faith or hope in him. Nothing can reach in and steal it because God guards it with his power—the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. Have the kids read the next verse (1 Peter 1:5) then add a layer of tape to their envelopes using supplies from the Bible Exploration Kits. ASK:

• Why is your heavenly inheritance much safer than your ticket?

• What is it like knowing that God is guarding your promise of heaven?

SAY: The great expectation that Peter felt is the same hope that we can have. When we put our faith in Jesus, we’re promised the gift of salvation. God protects that gift with all of his power. For as long as we live, God will guard our heavenly inheritance. Have the kids read one more verse together (1 Peter 1:6), then ask them to put their “Know Hope” tickets into the Bible Exploration Kits.

SAY: Sometimes we hope for something for a long time. With God we know that no matter how long we live, our hope of heaven is a sure thing. God gives us hope through Jesus’ resurrection. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is what God uses to keep our faith safe. We’ll have to hope a little while before we bring our “Know Hope” tickets out and receive a gift. As we feel what it’s like to wait and hope, follow the directions for the “Safe and Sound” handout in your Bible Exploration Kit.

Have kids find the “Safe and Sound” handout. Instruct crews to complete steps 1 through 4 on that page using supplies from their Bible Exploration Kits.

When crews have finished, take a few moments to share with your kids how they can have a friendship with Jesus. Explain that God’s free gift is offered to anyone who will receive it. Salvation is free, and heaven is a for-sure thing, but only to those who put their faith in Jesus. Provide adequate time for children to ask questions or to speak individually with a leader. Remind them that God gives us hope through Jesus’ resurrection and that he offers a heavenly hope to anyone who believes in him.

ASK:

• What can you do with your “Safe and Sound” cards this week to help you remember that God gives us hope through Jesus’ resurrection?

• In what difficult situation can you ask God to give you hope this week? Fill in the blank: “If God can raise Jesus from the dead, I know he can ___________.”

• What’s one way you can show you put your hope in God in this situation?

• Who can you share God’s hope with this week?

LET’S PRAISE!

Supplies: “Safe and Sound” cards from Let’s Explore!, Sticking With God: Knowing His Hope (Year 2/Quarter 7) CD, LIVE Children’s Curriculum (Year 2) DVD, CD player, TV/DVD player

1. SAY: We’ve been discovering that God gives us hope through Jesus’ resurrection. When we put our faith in Jesus, God guards us with the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. Let’s praise him for guarding our lives and keeping our salvation safe and sound.

Have groups of five take their “Safe and Sound” cards and create the lines of a cross on the floor (three deep, two across). Place the cards far enough apart for each child to stand on one card without being too crowded. Tell the kids how standing on the cross is a good reminder of the way our sins were placed on Jesus. SAY: Jesus took our sin and died for us so we could live in heaven forever with God. Let’s praise God as we sing and remember that God gives us hope through Jesus’ resurrection.

2. Set up the Sticking With God: Knowing His Hope (Year 2/Quarter 7) CD or the LIVE Children’s Curriculum (Year 2) DVD. PLAY:

• “The Spirit Gives Me Life” (Romans 8:10) (CD Track 4) (DVD Quarter 7/Track 4)

God is with me wherever I go.

Christ is in me, and I know that I know

’Cause he gave his life.

He lived and died.

(Chorus)

And now the Spirit gives me life, it gives me life, it gives me life

Because I have been made right, I’ve been made right with God.

The Spirit gives me life, it gives me life, it gives me life

Because I have been made right, I’ve been made right with God. Yeah!

The Spirit gives me life.

God is with me wherever I go.

Christ is in me, and I know that I know

’Cause he gave his life.

He lived and died.

(Repeat chorus.)

“The Spirit Gives Me Life” (Romans 8:10b) by Jay Stocker. © 2007 Group Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Permission to use lyrics granted for local church use only. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

• “My Help Comes From the Lord” (Psalm 121:2) (CD Track 5) (DVD Quarter 7/Track 5)

Sometimes I feel afraid;

I need someone to help me find my way,

Someone who holds me up

And gives me strength

To get me through the day.

My help comes from the Lord,

Who made heaven and earth.

You are all I’ll ever need.

My help comes from the Lord;

I’m trusting in your name.

You are my God;

It will always be true,

My help comes from you.

Sometimes I feel afraid;

I need someone to help me find my way,

Someone who holds me up

And gives me strength

To get me through the day.

My help comes from the Lord,

Who made heaven and earth.

You are all I’ll ever need.

My help comes from the Lord;

I’m trusting in your name.

You are my God;

It will always be true,

My help comes from the Lord,

Who made heaven and earth.

You are all I’ll ever need.

My help comes from the Lord;

I’m trusting in your name.

You are my God;

It will always be true,

My help comes from you,

My help comes from you.

“My Help Comes From the Lord” (Psalm 121:2) by Jay Stocker. © 2011 Group Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Permission to use lyrics granted for local church use only. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

• “Use Your Whole Body” (Romans 6:13) (CD Track 3) (DVD Quarter 7/Track 3)

So use your whole body as an instrument

To do what is right for the glory of God.

Everybody’s got one, now whatcha gonna do with it?

Are you gonna use it for good, for the glory of God?

Come on, everybody, let’s do this right;

Clap your hands, and keep it tight.

Come on, everybody, let’s move your feet;

Stomp ‘em real hard, stomp ‘em right on beat.

Come on, everybody, let’s do both things;

Do it for the glory of our great King.

So use your whole body as an instrument;

To do what is right for the glory of God.

Everybody’s got one, now whatcha gonna do with it?

Are you gonna use it for good, for the glory of God?

O-o-oh, o-o-o-o-oh (echo)

O-o-oh, o-o-o-o-oh (echo)

Yea-h-h-h-h (echo)

Ah, ah, ah, ai-oh (echo)

Come on, everybody, let’s do this right;

Clap your hands, and keep it tight.

Come on, everybody, let’s move your feet;

Stomp ‘em real hard, stomp ‘em right on beat.

Come on, everybody, let’s do both things;

Do it for the glory of our great King.

So use your whole body as an instrument

To do what is right for the glory of God.

Everybody’s got one, now whatcha gonna do with it?

Are you gonna use it for good, for the glory of God?

Are you gonna use it for good, for the glory of God?

“Use Your Whole Body” (Romans 6:13) by Jay Stocker. © 2011 Group Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Permission to use lyrics granted for local church use only. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

LET’S PRAY!

Supplies: sealed envelopes containing “Know Hope” tickets from Let’s Explore!, basket of candy, Sticking With God: Knowing His Hope (Year 2/Quarter 7) CD, CD player

1. SAY: When we receive God’s forgiveness by believing Jesus died for our sins, the Bible tells us we’ll live in heaven when we die. Whenever we feel sad, worried, or lonely, we can pray and give our problems to God. Since God was able to raise Jesus from the dead, there is nothing too big for him to handle. That’s why we can always hope in God.

2. As you play music quietly in the background, let kids take a few moments to pray about anything that may be troubling them. Encourage them to consider whether or not they have genuinely asked Jesus to forgive their sin. Remind them that hope is the ability to trust that God will do good things in our lives even when bad things happen. Have the kids pray until they hear the music fade out.

3. SAY: We read in 1 Peter 1:4 that those who put their faith in Jesus will find a great inheritance waiting safely for them in heaven. God’s power raised Jesus from the dead. His power will carry us to heaven, too. Jesus is our ticket to heaven.

Have the kids open up the sealed envelopes containing their “Know Hope” tickets. Exchange the tickets for the snack promised earlier. Explain that one day those who know Jesus will enter heaven and enjoy the amazing gift of eternal life.

ASK:

• What was it like to hope for a gift and wait to get what I promised you?

• How is that like or unlike hoping in God and waiting to get into heaven?

• Who can you tell about the hope God gives us through Jesus?

SAY: When we put our faith in Jesus, we know God is keeping our salvation safe and sound. Heaven is a for-sure promise for those who know Jesus because God gives us hope through Jesus’ resurrection.

HIGH FIVES

Supplies: none

Remind kids that hope comes from God. Invite kids to point their index fingers upward as they high five a friend.

FOR-EXTRA-TIME ACTIVITIES

Quiet Expectation

Supplies: none

Have kids think of something they’re excited about. Tell them they must listen to your instructions and only show excitement in the way you tell them. For example, they can wiggle, do silent motions, use only their fingers, and so on. Save the best for last, and ask them to show their excitement about Jesus’ resurrection by closing their eyes and praying or singing a favorite song of praise.

All Smiles

Supplies: none

Have kids sit in a circle and pout or make a sad face. Ask one child to stand in the middle and attempt to make the others laugh or smile. The first person to grin will take his or her place in the center and try to make someone else smile. Remind the kids that God gives us hope through Jesus’ resurrection and that is always a reason to smile.

Hiding It in Your Heart

Supplies: coins

Share with kids how people sometimes drop coins into a wishing well hoping to get a wish granted. Have kids pair up and take turns tossing a coin in the air and catching it. If it lands on heads, have them say the first part of the Key Verse, 1 Peter 1:3, followed by the second. If it lands on tails, reverse the order. Explain that when we believe in Jesus, we don’t need a wishing well that isn’t real to give us hope—we have a real Savior who lives.

Create a Bible Dictionary

Supplies: paper, markers, dictionary, CD player, Sticking With God: Knowing His Hope (Year 2/Quarter 7) CD

Ask kids to create one or more pages, each with a new word, for a Bible dictionary. Have kids suggest words from today’s lesson—inheritance and resurrection are two suggestions. Have them write each word on a sheet of paper in fun letters, add a definition, list Scripture references, and make illustrations. Play “The Books of the Bible Song” (Track 8), from the Sticking With God: Knowing His Hope (Year 2/Quarter 7) CD while kids work. Add each page to a three-ring binder, and watch the dictionary grow!

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