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Singing as the Children Arrive (10
minutes)
Singing begins before the hour. Children this age love to sing praises
to Jesus. This also makes it easy for one adult to gather children
and engage them as they arrive. It also allows time for the shepherds
to pray together and get oriented. |
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Puppet Opening (2 minutes)
Puppets Bubba or Judy talk with the large group presenter to help
introduce the lesson. These puppets demonstrate a typical 5 year-old’s
perspective. They introduce the take home point that will be repeated
throughout the lesson. In this sample lesson, the adult says, "Jesus
is our friend." The children respond, "Follow Jesus." |
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Large Group Bible Event Presentation (10 minutes)
The Bible event is presented in creative fashion. This might include a costumed character giving a monologue, an interactive story that
costumes children from the audience, an animated Bible video, or a storytelling technique using an object lesson.
For example, in this lesson children from the audience are called forward to play the characters whom Jesus called his first disciples.
The Bible event comes alive! |
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Small Group (20-30 minutes)
Kids meet with the same shepherd and small group of 6 to 10 kids. This group rotates through three activities. These include a craft,
snack, and interactive game. At each activity, the Bible event is reviewed and applied to the child’s life. They build relationships
and always close with prayer together. |
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Snack Example
A banana section on a blue napkin reminds the children of a boat. Pretzels are inserted as people and, of course, goldfish crackers are the fish. |
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Craft Example
Students decorate a craft stick to be a person…themselves. They insert it in a page with a slit cut in it showing how we follow the path of Jesus. |
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Learning Game Example
Students play Simon Says and discuss how we can listen to what Jesus tells us and follow him. |
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Wrap-up (10-15 minutes)
The Wrap-up begins with singing and then reviews all the events of the morning. |
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Each of the morning’s activities are reviewed for Albie, the
goofy bird puppet, while the kids try to teach Albie the take home
point.
Much to the kids delight, he gets it absurdly confused. But the
children keep teaching him the take home point until...
...Finally, he gets it right and receives thunderous applause! |
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Kids leave with a hand out called “God Talk at Home.”
This handout reviews the activities of the day, gives the take-home point,
and includes a coloring page on the back. A family devotion is provided with
scripture readings, questions for the parents to ask, and family activity
recommendations. |
FAQs
