New Testament Unit 8: Jesus Taught About God Lesson 3: The Story of God ...

New Testament Unit 8: Jesus Taught About God Lesson 3: The Story of God's Care for Us

Bible Story: The Story of God's

Care for Us (Luke 12:22-34) Bible Phrase: "God will take

care of us." (Numbers 14:9) Bible Truth: God will take care of me.

God's Unfolding Story

1. God created everything. 2. People disobeyed God. 3. God chose a special people. 4. God sent Jesus to help us. 5. Jesus began the Church.

Suggested Schedule:

Arrival Centers ? 25 minutes Clean-up Time ? 5 minutes Bible Story Time ? 15 minutes Craft Time ? 10 minutes Snack Time ? 10 minutes Game Time/Dismissal

6. Jesus is preparing heaven for us.

Hour A

Unfolding God's Story for Teachers

Please read our passage for today from Luke 12:22-34. Prior to our story, Jesus was teaching a crowd about the futility of riches. He warned that abundant possessions did not guarantee abundant living. Then Jesus must have turned from the crowd and focused his attention on his disciples. This is where our story begins. He spoke to His friends not about hording but something just as consuming and sinful ? worry. Jesus knew that worrying about what they would eat or what they would wear could be just as wasteful for their lives as storing up possessions.

Perhaps the Palestinian hillside was covered in scarlet anemones and birds fluttered in the sky. This may have provided the perfect backdrop for Jesus to speak to his followers about their value over these natural beauties. He spoke of birds and flowers not fretting or worrying over what they should wear or eat. Jesus was not saying in this passage that people should not work but that we should not obsess with worry over things we need because God will care for us. Envisioning the future without God leads to worry which, ironically, can actually shorten our days rather than add to our lives.

Constantly thinking about what one has or does not have can lead to anxiety. If anxiety is in control, God is not. Our lives are not defined by our possessions nor are they defined by striving for the basics of food and clothing. Our lives are defined by our relationship with God. If knowing Him and serving Him are our priorities, our needs will be put in proper perspective. If we seek the treasures of heaven, heaven is where our heart will be. If we seek the treasures of this earth, then we settle for what will pass away.

God feeds the birds and dresses the beautiful flowers. Certainly the Creator of this universe can be trusted to care for us. He is not only our Creator, but Jesus referred to God as Father. Jesus said, "Don't be afraid,

Little Flock, because the Father delights to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32). God, our Father, personally loves each one of us and, as a loving Father, will provide our needs. Once our hearts are settled in that promise, our focus is not on ourselves but the priorities that God would have us pursue.

In this lesson preschoolers will hear they are valuable to God and God has a plan to care for them. God made the birds and the flowers and these things are beautiful and significant to God's world. But as lovely as these things are, preschoolers can know they are more valuable.

Lesson Plan

Arrival

? Greet children at eye level and express how happy you are to see them.

? Be sure each child has a name tag and the security measures of your church are followed.

? Label all coats and personal belongings. Strongly encourage children who have brought items from home, such as toys and books, to place them on a shelf while they are working with other materials. Assure children their items will be safe and they can take them home at the end of the session.

? Help each child make a choice where he or she would like to begin his or her Center Time.

God's Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright ? 2013 -

NT08 Lesson 3 Hour A Page 1

Block Center

Center Time

Bible Learning Center

Build with Blocks

Trace and Count

Supplies:

Supplies:

? Wooden blocks

? Copies of Activity Page "God Cares

What to Do: Provide a small carpet

for Me" (Reproducible)

if possible. Blocks are best located

? Crayons or washable markers

in a corner of the room away from the

What to Do: Invite children to use a crayon

traffic flow.

or marker to trace around the flowers and

Link to the Bible Story: As children build, listen for opportunities to share the Bible Phrase or tell a part of the Bible story.

Home Living Center

Role Play Supplies:

birds. Encourage children to color the flowers and birds. Link to the Bible Story: Read the poem.

? Small rocking chair, sink and stove unit and

Count the birds and flowers. Talk about

small table and chairs; plastic dishes, child pots

all the beautiful color of flowers and

and pans, plastic food items; and doll items such as

birds that God has created. Express

doll bed, baby doll, doll bag, blanket, clothes, bottles

that just as God cares for the

and diapers. ? Extra: Teachers could provide a fruit and or vegetable tray for children to enjoy. Another idea would be to make pudding.

flowers and birds; He cares for us as well.

Be sure to post an allergy alert sign.

Art Center

Make a Bird Feeder Supplies: ? Yarn ? O-shaped cereal

? Extra: Add some dress-up clothes to the center. Men's dress coats, ties, shirts, shoes, women's skirt, beads, bracelets, shoes and handbags are all fun. What to Do: Home living items will encourage children to role play home activities such as

Puzzle Center

Work Puzzles Supplies: ? Offer a variety of non-fantasy

What to Do: Cut yarn into 18" lengths.

cooking, cleaning and caring for the baby.

wooden or cardboard puzzles for

To help with stringing, roll a small piece of

Link to the Bible Story: As children play,

children to work.

masking tape around the end of each piece of yarn. Also string one piece of cereal and knot at the end of each length of yarn so preschoolers can keep their cereal on the yarn. Invite children to string the cereal on the yarn. Assist in tying to secure the feeder. Link to the Bible Story: As children work, express

look for opportunities to engage in conversation about the Bible story, Bible Phrase or Bible truth.

What to Do: Encourage children to finish a puzzle before leaving the center. Give guidance rather than doing the puzzle for the child. Link to the Bible Story: As children work, look for opportunities in conversation to

that in our Bible story today Jesus talks about

say the Bible Phrase or briefly tell the

how God made the birds and cares for them;

Bible story.

God also takes care of us. Explain that we can

also care for the birds by making a feeder.

Suggest they hang their feeder from a tree

at home.

God's Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright ? 2013 -

NT08 Lesson 3 Hour A Page 2

Clean-up Time

Encourage preschoolers to help at clean-up time. Assign specific tasks for preschoolers to do such as placing all the crayons in the basket, throwing away the trash, gathering all the glue sticks, etc. Guide children to the Bible Story Time area.

they wore. Do you know what it means to worry? Worrying is when we get afraid or upset that we are not going to get something we need. Worrying may cause us to cry, get mad or even become afraid. Listen to hear what Jesus said about worrying. "

Talk Time

1. Show the teaching picture for today's Bible story. Ask the following: "Who did Jesus say takes care of the birds? Who makes the beautiful flowers to grow? Who will take care of you?"

Bible Story Time

Supplies: ? Bible

? Teaching Picture "The Story of God's Care for Us" (Reproducible)

? God's Unfolding Story Cube (Reproducible/Cardstock)

Introduction

? Show the God's Unfolding Story Cube. Point to each symbol and tell God's Unfolding Story. (Refer to page 1.) Encourage children to say the story with you. ? Comment to boys and girls today's story is from the segment God sent Jesus to help us. (Point to that symbol on the cube.) ? Express the following in your own words: "God sent Jesus to help us understand more about Him. Jesus told a story to help his friends know that God did not want them to worry about the food they ate or the clothes

Bible Story

The Story of God's Care for Us

Luke 12:22-34

One day Jesus was sitting on a hillside talking with his friends. There may have been some pretty birds, butterflies and bees flying around. Perhaps there were lots of beautifully colored flowers all over the hillside. Jesus pointed to the birds and said, "Don't worry about what you will eat or drink. Look at the birds that fly in the sky. Birds can't plant seeds or grow a garden. God feeds the birds and takes care of them. God will take care of you, too."

Then as Jesus pointed to the flowers he said, "Don't worry about what you will wear. See these beautiful flowers? A flower doesn't sew it own petals or leaves. God made the flowers and cares for them. God sends the rain and the sun to help the flowers to grow. Even kings don't dress as beautifully as these flowers. You are more important to God than flowers."

Then Jesus said, "God loves you more than the birds and the flowers. So don't worry about food to eat or clothes to wear. God knows what you need. God will take care of you."

2. Say today's Bible Phrase together, "God will take care of us" Numbers 14:9. Talk about ways God cares for us through: our parents, other family members, jobs to buy groceries, housing, and clothes. Talk about ways we can show God's love by caring for others who need food, clothes and housing.

3. Close the Bible Story Time in prayer thanking God for His care.

God's Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright ? 2013 -

NT08 Lesson 3 Hour A Page 3

Craft Time

Make a Bible Phrase Cube

Supplies:

? Copy of "Bible Phrase Cube" (Reproducible) ? Crayons or washable markers, tape What to Do: Cut out each "Bible Phrase Cube." Give each child a cube and invite children to draw and color the pictures on the cube. Show children how to fold their cubes. Assist with taping the cubes together. Link to Bible Story: As children work, talk about the ways God cares for us. Help children understand that just as God cares for the birds and flowers He cares for us by providing for our needs through our families.

Snack Time

Be sure to wash hands or use hand sanitizer. Say a thank-you prayer to God for the snack. When snack time has ended, encourage preschoolers to help with cleaning up.

Game Time/Dismissal

Guessing Game

Supplies:

? No materials needed What to Do: Ask children to come to the Game Time area. Play a guessing game about different animals and foods. Give one or two clues about a favorite food or animal. Ask children to guess the food or animal. You might

say: "I am thinking of a food that is red and juicy. It has several black seeds in the middle. Can you guess what it is?" Give more clues if needed. At the close of the game, remind boys and girls of today's Bible Phrase, "God will take care of us" Numbers 14:9.

Dismiss children as parents arrive. Be sure to follow the security procedures of your church.

God's Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright ? 2013 -

NT08 Lesson 3 Hour A Page 4

Resources and Supplies

Hour A

New Testament Unit 8: Jesus Taught About God Lesson 3: The Story of God's Care for Us

Standard Art Supplies

(Supplies that are generally in the room)

Washable markers Crayons

Child scissors Playdough and accessories

Drawing paper Easel (optional) Glue/glue sticks Tempera paint, 4 colors Tape/masking tape Pencils/colored pencils

Hole punch Teacher scissors Stapler/staples Permanent markers

Watercolors Paintbrushes

Yarn

Standard Equipment

(Equipment that is generally in the room)

Small beanbag for Bible Story Time Assorted wooden/cardboard puzzles

Set of wooden blocks Small cars and trucks

Doll bed Baby doll (soft plastic)

Stove/sink unit Play dishes/pots and pans

Small table and chairs Small carpet for block area

Play food items Storage shelf for blocks Tables and chairs for art, puzzles, and Bible Learning Center CD player/Children's Worship CDs

Reproducibles

(Included with the lesson plan downloads)

Activity Page "God Cares for Me" (1 copy per child) "Bible Phrase Cube" (1 copy per child)

Teaching Picture "The Story of God's Care for Us" (1 copy per class) God's Unfolding Story Cube (Cardstock--1 copy per class) Parent Page (1 copy per child)

Additional Art and Bible Learning Materials

O-shaped Cereal

God's Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright ? 2013 -

NT08 Lesson 3 Hour A

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