Sticking With God: Knowing His Hope



Sticking With God: Knowing His Hope

Week 2: God Gives Us Hope Through His Strength

This includes:

Leader Preparation

Lesson Guide

LEADER PREPARATION

BIBLE BASIS

Isaiah was a prophet of hope. He told the people of the coming Savior, the hope of the world! He reminded the Israelites that no one could compare to God or match his strength. Use this lesson to help kids understand that Jesus is their hope—a never-ending source of comfort, strength, and power.

DISCOVERY POINT

God gives us hope through his strength.

BIBLE FOCUS

Isaiah 40:25-31

KEY VERSE

“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

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, “Strength to Fly” handout, balloons, drinking straws, tape, whistle, cup of water for each child, paper, crayons, pens, markers, and fine-tipped markers

Before This Lesson

• Print the “Strength to Fly” handout. You’ll need one copy per crew of four kids.

• Prepare three stations for Welcome! At the first station, place deflated balloons. At the second, place drinking straws. At the third, place tape.

• Assemble Bible Exploration Kits (one per four kids): Bibles, “Strength to Fly” handout, paper, fine-tipped markers, crayons, pens, colored markers.

• Review Isaiah 40:25-31.

• 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 2: God Gives Us Hope Through His Strength

LESSON GUIDE

WELCOME!

Supplies: Sticking With God: Knowing His Hope (Year 2/Quarter 7) CD, LIVE Children’s Curriculum (Year 2) DVD, CD player, TV/DVD player, balloons, drinking straws, tape

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. Direct kids to the first of the three barbell-making stations you set up ahead of time. Encourage kids at the first station to blow up and tie off two balloons as quickly as they can.

3. At the second station, kids will each grab one straw. Encourage kids to hurry.

4. At the third station, kids will tape an inflated balloon to each end of the straw to create a “barbell.” Emphasize that kids should hurry to complete their barbells, and then run to start new ones.

5. Have kids deposit their barbells next to you, and then hurry to make more as time allows. Then call time and gather everyone together.

6. SAY: Thanks for coming today! Point to the collection of barbells. Wow! You sure worked hard. It took a lot of strength to keep going and make all these barbells so quickly!

ASK:

• What was your reaction when I kept pushing you to hurry?

• What do you think it would be like to have to hurry like that and make barbells all day long?

SAY: People use barbells to help them get strong. But I suppose if you had to hurry to make barbells all day long, you wouldn’t feel strong—you’d probably feel tired. There are lots of thing in life that can make us tired and discouraged.

ASK:

• What makes you tired and discouraged?

SAY: Sometimes we have to work hard, and that makes us tired. Sometimes we have to study hard, and that can make us tired and even discouraged; other times we find ourselves in the middle of a hard situation that might be sad or scary. But don’t worry! Today we’re going to find out what can help us in those situations. Let’s get started!

Set the barbells aside for use later in the lesson.

7. Start the “Digital Countdown” (Quarter 7/Countdown Track 2) on the LIVE Children’s Curriculum (Year 2) DVD, turn up the volume, and lead kids in counting along.

LET’S EXPLORE!

Supplies: assembled Bible Exploration Kits, whistle, cup of water for each child

1. SAY: Before we get into today’s Bible passage, I want to make sure you’re good and tired! Everybody on your feet for the Bible Crew Olympics!

2. Have kids stand in their Bible Crews. SAY: When I blow my whistle, I want to see everyone run in place as fast as you can. Ready? Go! Blow your whistle, and have kids run in place for about a minute. Then blow your whistle for kids to stop. As time and energy allow, have kids do jumping jacks, run laps around the room, stand on one leg for a minute, and run relay races across the room. Have fun getting into your best drill sergeant persona for this activity—in a fun and nonthreatening way, of course!

3. Finally, blow your whistle and declare the Bible Crew Olympics a success! Invite kids to relax on the floor, and offer cups of cool water for refreshment.

ASK:

• How do you feel after our Olympics?

• What was it like to get a drink of nice, cool water after all that exercise?

SAY: A cool drink tastes great when you’re tired, doesn’t it? The problem is, pretty soon you’re bound to get tired again. I know a passage in the Bible that can take care of any amount of tired! Let’s look at it together.

Have kids open their Bibles to Isaiah 40:25-31. Have a third of the crews read verses 25-27, another third read verses 28-30, and the final third read verse 31. Explain that crews should use the supplies in the Bible Exploration Kits to portray their verses to the rest of the group. Kids might draw a picture, write a song, create an advertisement, or use any other creative presentation they can think of.

Give crews about five minutes to work, offering encouragement where needed. Then let each crew present its passage to the rest of the group. After all crews have presented, lead the group in a round of applause for everyone’s participation. Then have kids in each crew take turns reading the entire passage, just to make sure kids understand what the crews were portraying.

ASK:

• What do you think God wants us to take away from this Bible passage?

• When are times you feel tired or weak?

• How can trusting in God give you new strength?

SAY: We all feel weak and tired sometimes. And sometimes it’s a matter of feeling tired in your spirit, not just your body. We all get discouraged at times. But God gives us hope through his strength. God is powerful, and God is always there to lift us up. I’ll show you what that’s like.

4. Direct kids to the “Strength to Fly” handout in their Bible Exploration Kits. Have them read the verse aloud as the handout suggests, then let kids take turns trying the experiment in the doorways of your room. Have them follow steps 1-3 on the handout.

After everyone has tried the experiment, have kids answer the following questions in their crews. After each question, invite kids to share their crew’s answers with the rest of the group.

ASK:

• What happened when you moved away from the doorway and relaxed your arms?

• How is that like how God can renew our strength and help us fly like eagles?

• When is a time you need to trust God to help you?

Have kids read the last paragraph on the handout. SAY: God says he’ll help us when we’re tired or troubled. And God always does what he says! God gives us hope through his strength. Let’s thank God right now!

LET’S PRAISE!

Supplies: 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: Before we praise God in song, let’s thank God for using his strength and power to help us and give us hope. Lead kids in a quick prayer thanking God for always being ready to help us. Then lead kids in singing the following songs.

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:

• “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.

• “We Can Trust Him” (Psalm 33:4) (CD Track 6) (DVD Quarter 7/Track 6)

If there’s one thing we can count on,

It’s that God will never let us down, and

We can trust everything he does.

He keeps his promises.

We know because

Yeah, the Word of the Lord holds true.

We can trust him.

We can trust him.

Yeah, the Word of the Lord holds true.

We can trust him.

We can trust him. Yeah!

If there’s one thing we can count on,

It’s that God will never let us down, and

We can trust everything he does.

He keeps his promises.

We know because

Yeah, the Word of the Lord holds true.

We can trust him.

We can trust him.

Yeah, the Word of the Lord holds true.

We can trust him.

We can trust him .

Yeah, the Word of the Lord holds true.

We can trust him.

We can trust him.

Yeah, the Word of the Lord holds true.

We can trust him.

We can trust him.

We can trust him.

We can trust him.

“We Can Trust Him” (Psalm 33:4) by Jay Stocker. © 2007, 2009 Group Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Permission to use lyrics granted for local church use only. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

• “You Are My Friends” (John 15:14) (CD Track 7) (DVD Quarter 7/Track 7)

You are my friends if you do what I command.

Tell everyone what an awesome God I am.

Friends are friends when it’s daytime or it’s night,

And God is a friend who will be there all the time.

We can talk to him, and he will listen.

God will always be right by your side

’Cause he says,

You are my friends if you do what I command.

Tell everyone what an awesome God I am.

You are my friends if you do what I command.

Trust me and love me: You’ll always be my friends.

Friends are friends when it’s daytime or it’s night,

And God is a friend who will be there all the time.

We can talk to him, and he will listen.

God will always be right by your side

’Cause he says,

You are my friends if you do what I command.

Tell everyone what an awesome God I am.

You are my friends if you do what I command.

Trust me and love me: You’ll always be my friends.

You are my friends if you do what I command.

Tell everyone what an awesome God I am.

You are my friends if you do what I command.

Trust me and love me: I’ll always be your friend.

“You Are My Friends” (John 15:14) by Jay Stocker. © 2008 Group Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Permission to use lyrics granted for local church use only. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

LET’S PRAY!

Supplies: Sticking With God: Knowing His Hope (Year 2/Quarter 7) CD, CD player, barbells from Welcome!, assembled Bible Exploration Kits

1. Have kids remove the fine-tipped markers from their Bible Exploration Kits. Give each person a barbell from the Welcome! activity and a marker, and have kids spread around the room. SAY: Now let’s spend some time alone with God. On one balloon of your barbell, write or draw a picture about a situation you’re facing right now where you need God’s strength. On the other balloon, write a note to God to thank him for a specific time in the past where he was strong for you or your family. Remember that God gives us hope through his strength.

2. Softly play the instrumental version of “My Help Comes From the Lord” (Psalm 121:2) (Track 13) from the Sticking With God: Knowing His Hope (Year 2/Quarter 7) CD in the background as kids write. When everyone has finished, close the prayer by thanking God for always being strong and willing to help us.

HIGH FIVES

Supplies: barbells from Let’s Pray!

Let kids take their barbells home to remind them of today’s Bible passage. Also, encourage them to show the experiment they did to three people this week.

As kids leave, have them use their barbells to give each other high fives and say “God gives us hope through his strength.”

FOR-EXTRA-TIME ACTIVITIES

Art Smart

Supplies: paper, crayons, colored pencils, tape

Have kids read Isaiah 40:25-31 and then each draw a picture of their favorite image from the passage. Hang the pictures in your room for a few weeks as a reminder of God’s strength and help.

Soaring Snacks

Supplies: marshmallows, candy corn, thin pretzel sticks, potato chips, icing, plastic knives, napkins

Let kids make yummy eagles to eat. Use pretzel sticks to connect several marshmallows together as a body. Use icing as glue to attach a candy corn beak and potato chip wings.

Hiding It in Your Heart

Supplies: sheets of paper, pens

Have kids read Isaiah 40:31 again. Then let them make paper airplane “eagles” to fly. If you think kids won’t know how to make simple paper airplanes, find instructions at the library or print directions from the Internet. On the tops of the wings, have kids write problems or situations where they need to trust God. Explain that God will carry their problems and help them fly like eagles.

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—soar and weary 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!

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download