Lesson 11 - Salem Alliance
Transcription
Lesson 11 - Salem Alliance
Lesson11.qxp:13 Week 11/4/11 11:24 AM Page 185 Lesson Eleven Answered Prayers Bible Story • A Foolish Treaty Teacher & Parent Connection • Joshua 9 rd God’s WGood, for you you, O “I call on r to me Each of the thousands of choices we make has its consee; give ea m r e w s n 17:6 will a quence. Choosing to eat only doughnuts will show conseer.” Psalm y ra p y m and hear quences eventually. Choosing to go barefoot in a blizzard : Children will show a more rapid result! Most of our choices have r e g n u o For Y only fleeting results. But the choice of Joshua and the u, O God, call on yo “I .” Israelites to make a treaty with Gibeon had long-term nswer me you will a r fo consequences that impacted generations. for Me se e s i The Israelites didn’t make the treaty blindly. They tested m o r P s God’ to God for help becau rs. the Gibeonites’ worn clothes and sandals, moldy bread and ye ray ar our pra e We can p h s y cracked wineskins. They checked what appeared to be the a lw es to a He promis facts. They were thorough and thoughtful. But they were deceived because they didn’t ask for God’s wisdom. The consequences? Israel could not drive out the Gibeonites and gain possession of their lands and valuables. Eventually, the Israelites even had to protect them. The Gibeonites became so well assimilated that they were exiled to Babylon along with Judah and counted by Nehemiah with the returning exiles. Talk about long-term effects! This lesson is a great time to discuss with your children the everyday situations in which it’s easy to forget to pray for God’s wisdom. Even when we may seem to have good information and wise people to help us choose, Satan loves to deceive. Only by going to God for wisdom are we able to discern between deception and truth. It’s always worth our while to present every choice, whether of small or great consequence, to our loving, all-wise Father. He promises to answer our prayers! © 2012 Gospel Light. Permission to photocopy granted to original purchaser only. Summit Seekers ● 185 Lesson11.qxp:13 Week 11/4/11 11:24 AM Page 186 Lesson Eleven Planning Page Choose which centers you will provide and the order in which children will participate in them (see pp. 14-18 for schedule tips and pp. 24-25 for guidelines in combining older and younger children). Also plan who will lead each center (for staffing tips see pp. 19-21). Use the reproducible planning sheet (p. 240) to record your plans. Art Center Bible Story Center Bible Story • A Foolish Treaty • Joshua 9 Backpack Discovery (Younger Child) • Use props to illustrate story events Backpack Discovery (Older Child) • Wear Bible- Younger Child Option • Make place mats as reminders that God promises to hear our prayers Materials • Bible, paper, markers, 12x18-inch (30.5x 45.5-cm) sheets of construction paper, glue times costumes and act out action as the story is told Older Child Option • Make wristbands as reminders to ask God before making decisions Game Center Materials • Bibles, yarn in a variety of colors, measure- Younger Child Option • Play a musical game and ing sticks, scissors, tape place hands on pictures Coloring/Puzzle Center Materials • Bible, Summit Seekers CD-ROM and CD player, Lesson 11 Pattern Page (p. 196 or Summit Seekers CD-ROM), tape Younger Child Option • Review the Bible verse while completing the coloring page Older Child Option • Play a game like Musical Chairs Materials • Lesson 11 Coloring Page (p. 197) for each Materials • Bibles, Summit Seekers CD-ROM and CD child, crayons player, one chair for each child, index cards, marker, Post-it Notes Older Child Option • Discover a wise action and complete the puzzle page Materials • Lesson 11 Puzzle Page (p. 198) for each child, pencils Worship Center For the Younger and Older Child • Participate in large-group activities to review Bible verse and to worship God together Materials • Bibles, Summit Seekers CD-ROM and CD player, song charts (pp. 254, 255), large sheet of paper, markers, tape, two balloons 186 ● © 2012 Gospel Light. Permission to photocopy granted to original purchaser only. Summit Seekers Lesson11.qxp:13 Week 11/4/11 11:24 AM Page 187 Lesson Eleven Bonus Theme Ideas Bonus Theme Ideas can be used at any time during this session: as an additional activity center, to extend the session for a longer time, or for added theme excitement. Nature Prints Beary Good Fruit Cup Children arrange flowers and leaves (geraniums, ferns, violets and other high-moisture plants) on a sheet of light-colored construction paper. Children cover arrangements with a paper towel and then use a wooden or rubber mallet to pound paper towel, being careful to pound each leaf and flower. Children lift paper towel and remove leaves and flowers to reveal a botanical print. Each child, mixes 3⁄4 cup plain nonfat yogurt with 1 teaspoon honey. Children add 1⁄2 cup assorted fresh fruit (blueberries, raspberries, halved strawberries, sliced nectarines, etc.) and top with Teddy Grahams® Honey Cookies. Post a note alerting parents to the use of food. Also, check registration forms for possible food allergies. Shoot the Rapids Set sport cones in a grassy area to make one or more obstacle courses. Make “rafts” by tying ropes around inner tubes, putting them inside plastic bags and knotting bags to close around ropes (see sketch). Use a rope to make a starting line on one side of the playing area. One child sits on raft while a partner pulls raft through obstacle course. Partners switch places for the return trip. Continue play until each player gets to both ride the “raft” and pull it. For Younger Children: Younger children may need to play this game without pulling another child in the raft. Either they pull empty rafts through the obstacle course, or have a youth or adult volunteer pull them one way and then children pull empty raft back to the starting line themselves. © 2012 Gospel Light. Permission to photocopy granted to original purchaser only. Summit Seekers ● 187 Lesson11.qxp:13 Week 11/4/11 11:25 AM Page 188 Lesson Eleven Bible Story Center for younger children • Joshua 9 Backpack Discove ry In a backpack, plac e Bible, the Daily Promise paper (prin ted from Summit Seekers CD-ROM ), old T-shirt, dirty shoe, bag with bread crust. As you tell the stor y, hold up the props as indicated in the story. Introduction Get down on knees, fold hands together and close your eyes. What does it look like I’m doing? Children respond. It looks like I’m praying! When we talk to God, it’s called praying. And we don’t HAVE to get down on our knees to pray. Sometimes we pray sitting at the table with our families and sometimes we don’t even have to close our eyes! Any time you talk to God, you’re praying. Today we’re talking about how great it is that God ALWAYS hears our prayers. Tell the Story (Open Bible. Include children in actions when appropriate.) After God’s people won the battle with Ai, the people in the different cities in the Promised Land began to get nervous. More than nervous, they were SCARED! (Make a scared face.) The kings of these different cities got together and decided to go to WAR against God’s people. But the people who lived in and around one city, Gibeon, didn’t think it was a good idea AT ALL to go to war with God’s people. Some of the men from Gibeon put on some old, dirty clothes. They put on stinky, dusty shoes. They packed old, moldy bread in some bags. (Put old Tshirt and dirty shoe in bag with bread.) They had a plan. And their plan was to trick Joshua and the rest of God’s people! The men from Gibeon talked to Joshua. “We are from a far-away country. We have heard all about how powerful your God is. We don’t want trouble with you. Please promise to be our friends!” Joshua and the other leaders weren’t sure. They weren’t supposed to make friends with anyone from the Promised Land. God had told them that the people in the Promised Land did not believe in Him and that they shouldn’t be friends with them. Joshua and the other men looked at the old, dirty clothes the Gibeonites were wearing. (Take old T-shirt out of bag.) They saw their stinky, dusty shoes. (Take dirty shoe out of bag.) They even tasted the old, moldy bread. (Take bread out of bag.) Yuck! They decided the men must have traveled a very long way and that they were telling the truth. So Joshua agreed to be friends with them. Now Joshua must have thought he had done everything right to make a good decision. He’d asked questions. He’d inspected the men’s clothes, shoes and bread. But the one thing Joshua DIDN’T do was ask GOD what to do! (Shake head no.) (Hold up three fingers.) Three days later, Joshua found out he’d been tricked and that the Gibeonites lived in a nearby city. Joshua went to them. “You tricked me!” Joshua said. “I won’t go back on my word. We won’t go to war with you. But from now on, you have to be our servants.” The Gibeonites agreed. They were glad to be friends with God’s people. God’s Promise for Me The Bible says “I call on you, O God, for you will answer me.” Remove Daily Promise paper from backpack and hold up. Joshua didn’t remember to talk to God before he chose to believe that what the Gibeonites said was true. But we can remember to pray to God before WE make decisions. Pray, Dear God, thank You for Your promise to always answer our prayers. In Jesus’ name, amen. 188 ● © 2012 Gospel Light. Permission to photocopy granted to original purchaser only. Summit Seekers Lesson11.qxp:13 Week 11/4/11 11:25 AM Page 189 Lesson Eleven Bible Story Center for older children • Joshua 9 Backpack Discove ry In a backpack, plac e Bible, Map Poster from Summit Seek ers CD-ROM, the Daily Promise pape r (printed from CD ROM), Bible-times costumes (some older and more be draggled than the rest) and a few ba gs of dry bread. As sign different story characters to children (Joshua, Gibe onites, leaders of the Israelites). As you tell the story, children act out story events. Children ac ting as Gibeonites wear ol d costumes and carry bags of dry bread. ful than the false gods they worshiped. So the people of Canaan were getting nervous. Actually, they were much more than nervous—they were TERRIFIED! All the kings who lived in the land met to decide what to do about the Israelites. Read Joshua 9:2 to find out what the kings decided to do. The kings wanted to go to war against Joshua and the Israelites! One group of people did not think war against the Israelites would help them. These people lived in and around the town of Gibeon. (Show location of Gibeon on Map Poster.) They knew that the one true God was helping the Israelites. And they knew that all the armies of Canaan together could not win a fight against people who had God on their side. So the people of Gibeon thought and thought to figure out a way to save their lives. They finally came up with a plan to trick Joshua and the Israelites. Gibeonites Trick Joshua Introduction What are some reasons a person might tell a lie? Children respond. Today we are going to hear about what happened when some people in Bible times lied. Tell the Story Israelites Take the Land In the time since the Israelites had crossed the Jordan River, Joshua and the Israelites had taken over several cities in the Promised Land—also called Canaan. God had told the Israelites to take over the whole land of Canaan. But because the people of Canaan worshiped false gods and did many horrible things, God had warned the Israelites not to make friends with the people in the land or have anything to do with them. The people of Canaan had seen the amazing victories God had given the Israelite army. They knew that the God of the Israelites was much more power- A few of the Gibeonite men packed up some driedout, moldy bread in some old, cracked leather bags. They dressed up in clothes that were worn-out, dirty and dusty. They put on old, patched sandals. Then they traveled to where Joshua and the Israelites were camped. They said to Joshua and the Israelites, “We have come from a far-away country. Make a treaty with us.” A treaty is a formal agreement between groups, countries or people. The Gibeonites wanted the Israelites to agree to be at peace with them! The Israelites didn’t answer right away. They remembered God’s warning about making friends with the people of Canaan. So they asked questions to find out if these men really were from a far country. “Who are you and where do you come from?” Joshua asked. Read Joshua 9:9-11 to find out what the Gibeonites said. The Gibeonites lied when they answered, “We have come from a very distant country because we have heard so much about © 2012 Gospel Light. Permission to photocopy granted to original purchaser only. Summit Seekers ● 189 Lesson11.qxp:13 Week 11/4/11 11:25 AM Page 190 Lesson Eleven your God. We know all about what He did in Egypt, and what He is doing in the cities of Canaan. Our leaders and everyone in our country told us to come and make a treaty of peace with you.” The Israelites were still not really convinced. So the Gibeonites told Joshua and the others some MORE lies. “Look at this bread!” They said, “It was warm from the oven when we left to come see you. But look how dry and moldy it is now.” Joshua and the Israelite leaders looked at the visitors’ torn clothes and dusty shoes. They tasted the old, moldy bread. It LOOKED like they had walked a long, long way. God’s Promise for Me Joshua Makes a Treaty • Why do you think Joshua made the decision he did? What happened as a result of Joshua’s decision? Joshua and the other Israelite leaders decided the Gibeonites must be telling the truth. Making a treaty and promising to be their friends seemed like such a good decision that Joshua didn’t stop to ask God what to do. Joshua said,”We promise that our countries will be friends. We will not attack you.” The Gibeonites’ trick had worked! They would be safe! Read Joshua 9:16 to find out what happened next. Three days after making the treaty with the Gibeonites, the Israelites found out the truth. The Gibeonites were actually from Canaan. They were some of the very people the Israelites were not supposed to have anything to do with! Joshua went to see the Gibeonites. “You tricked me into making a treaty,” he said. “I can’t go back on my promise. But I can’t let you get away with your lies, either. So, for the rest of your lives, you must work for us. From now on, you will chop our wood and carry water to God’s house, the Tabernacle, where our people worship Him.” The Gibeonites gladly agreed. They would have to work for the Israelites, but at least they’d be safe. When Joshua and the Israelites realized they had been tricked, they learned an important lesson: Always talk to God before making a decision. Listen to today’s verse. Read or ask a child to read Psalm 17:6 aloud. Display Daily Promise paper. We can pray to God at any time about anything! God promises to always hear our prayers. • What did Joshua do before he made the decision to trust the Gibeonites? What would have been a good thing to do? (Ask God.) • When are some times kids your age have to make decisions? (When other kids want to copy their homework. When parents ask them to do chores without complaining. When playing with friends.) • What are some good things to do when you have to make a decision? (Ask God for help. Read the Bible and look for God’s guidelines. Talk to an adult about the decision. Think about what will happen after you make the decision.) • When are some other times it is good to pray to God? (When we’re feeling afraid or worried. When we want to thank Him for good things.) In most situations, it can seem that everyone has different ideas about what is good to do, so it can be hard to make wise decisions! But when we ask God for His help, we are making the wisest decision we ever could! We can pray to God and trust Him to answer our prayers. Pray with children, thanking God that He promises to always hear our prayers. 190 ● © 2012 Gospel Light. Permission to photocopy granted to original purchaser only. Summit Seekers Lesson11.qxp:13 Week 11/17/11 10:20 AM Page 191 Lesson Eleven Game Center for younger children • Joshua 9 Collect Bible, Summit Seekers CD-ROM and CD player, Lesson 11 Pattern Page (p. 196 or Summit Seekers CD-ROM), tape. Prepare Enlarge pictures from Lesson 11 Pattern Page onto separate sheets of paper. Tape papers to walls around classroom. Do 1. Children form a circle in the playing area. As you play “My God Will Meet All Your Needs,” children walk in a circle. 2. After a few moments, stop the music. Children move to a picture on a wall and place their hand on it. More than one child can touch each picture. 3. Lead children at each picture to repeat after you, “I can pray to God when I’m (in a forest).” Repeat for each picture. 4. Play additional rounds as time and interest allow. rd God’s WGood, for you you, O “I call on r to me e; give ea m r e w s n 17:6 will a er.” Psalm y ra p y m and hear : Children r e g n u o For Y u, O God, yo “I call on me.” ill answer for you w e se for M i m o r P s ’ c be ause God d for help yers. ray to Go ar our pra e We can p h s y a lw es to a He promis Talk About • The Bible says, “I call on you, O God, for you will answer me.” We can pray to God anywhere. Let’s play a game and pretend we’re visiting different places. • Daylon, you’re touching a picture of a forest. What could you talk to God about at a forest? You can thank God for the beautiful trees. • Molly, you’re touching a picture of a store. What could you talk to God about at the store? You can ask God to keep you safe. • Pray briefly, Dear God, thank You for promising to always hear our prayers. In Jesus’ name, amen. For Older Children For each round, call out a motion or way of moving for children to do: walk on toes, clap hands, tiptoe, walk backwards, snap fingers, etc. (Optional: Have children tell places they go. Print each one on a separate sheet of paper. Attach to walls.) © 2012 Gospel Light. Permission to photocopy granted to original purchaser only. Summit Seekers ● 191 Lesson11.qxp:13 Week 11/4/11 11:26 AM Page 192 Lesson Eleven Game Center for older children • Joshua 9 Collect Bible, Summit Seekers CD-ROM and CD player, one chair for each child, index cards, marker, Post-it Notes. Prepare Place chairs in a large circle facing inward. On separate index cards, print pairs of words from the verse (for example, “I call,” “on you”). Mix up the cards. Make an X on one Post-it Note. Stick a Post-it Note, including the one with the X, to the back of each chair. Do 1. As you play “You Are My Hiding Place,” children walk around the inside of the circle of chairs. 2. Stop the music after a few moments. Each child sits in a chair. 3. Children look over the backs of their chairs to locate the chair with the X on it. Give child sitting in the marked chair a verse card. Child places card on the floor in the middle of the circle. 4. Move Post-it Notes to different chairs so that the note with an X is on the back of a different chair. Then repeat play. 5. When music stops, children sit down and check for the X. Child in the marked chair gets a second verse card and decides whether it should be placed before or after the first card. Children refer to Psalm 17:6 for correct order if needed. 6. Continue play until all verse cards are placed in the right order. rd God’s WGood, for you you, O e “I call on e ear to m iv g ; e m r e 17:6 will answ yer.” Psalm ra p y m r a and he n: r Childre e g n u o Y For u, O God, yo “I call on me.” ill answer for you w e se for M i m o r P s ’ c e b ause God d for help ray to Go rayers. We can p hear our p s y a lw a es to He promis Talk About • How can talking to God help someone make a wise decision? (God will help them know what to do.) • Why do you think it is a good idea to talk to God about the decisions you make? (He helps us choose wisely.) • Read Psalm 17:6 aloud. Why does the writer of this psalm say he will pray to God? (He knows God will answer His prayer.) • What does Psalm 17:6 ask God to do? (Give ear to me. Hear my prayer.) • What is a decision you want to talk to God about? Lead children in prayer, thanking God for His help and that He promises to always hear our prayers. For Younger Children Before class, on a separate index card, write each word of the version of the verse For Younger Children. Number cards in verse order. 192 ● © 2012 Gospel Light. Permission to photocopy granted to original purchaser only. Summit Seekers Lesson11.qxp:13 Week 11/4/11 11:27 AM Page 193 Lesson Eleven Art Center for younger children • Joshua 9 Collect Bible, paper, markers, 12x18-inch (30.5x45.5-cm) sheets of construction paper, glue. Prepare Print “‘I call on you, O God, for you will answer me.’ Psalm 17:6” on a sheet of paper. Photocopy paper, making one copy for each child. rd God’s WGood, for you you, O e “I call on e ear to m iv g ; e m r e 17:6 will answ yer.” Psalm ra p y m r a and he n: r Childre e g n u o Y For u, O God, yo “I call on me.” ill answer for you w Do 1. Children glue papers you prepared to the center of a sheet of construction paper and decorate with markers to make place mats. e se for M i m o r P s ’ c e b ause God d for help ray to Go rayers. We can p hear our p s y a lw a es to He promis • Andi, what can you thank God for when you sit down to eat breakfast? You can thank God for the good food He gives you. • James, you could use this place mat when you eat dinner. What could you thank God for at night? You can thank God for the good time you had playing with your friends. 2. Children take prayer place mats home to use. Talk About • The Bible says, “I call on you, O God, for you will answer me.” When we pray, we can thank God for loving and helping us. Let’s make a place mat that will remind us to pray to God. • Pray briefly, Dear God, thank You for helping us. Thank You for promising to always hear us when we pray. In Jesus’ name, amen. For Older Children Children print verse on papers. On place mats, children draw people for whom they can pray. © 2012 Gospel Light. Permission to photocopy granted to original purchaser only. Summit Seekers ● 193 Lesson11.qxp:13 Week 11/4/11 11:27 AM Page 194 Lesson Eleven Art Center for older children • Joshua 9 Collect Bibles, yarn in a variety of colors, measuring sticks, scissors, tape. Prepare Make a sample wristband, following directions below. Do 1. Children select colors of yarn and cut seven 3foot (0.9-m) pieces. Gathering pieces with ends matched up, children tie a knot 1 inch (2.5 cm) from one end (see sketch a). 2. Each child tapes the knotted end of the yarn strands to a table or asks a friend to hold it. Holding on to the other end, child twists yarn in one direction until tight (see sketch b). 3. Then, holding the center in one hand, child brings together and holds the ends of the twisted yarn. Child releases center, and the strands will twist together. 4. rd God’s WGood, for you you, O “I call on r to me e; give ea m r e w s n 17:6 will a er.” Psalm y ra p y m and hear : Children r e g n u o For Y u, O God, yo “I call on me.” ill answer for you w e se for M i m o r P s ’ because God d for help yers. ray to Go ar our pra e We can p h s y a lw es to a He promis Talk About • God promises to help us when we ask. Let’s make wristbands to remind us to ask God for help to make good decisions. • What kind of decisions do kids your age make that would be good to talk to God about? (Whether or not to join a sports team. Whether or not to take music lessons.) a b c • Why can God help you make good decisions? (God knows everything. God is wiser than anyone. God always does what is right and good.) • Read Psalm 17:6 aloud. When would be a good time to remember this verse? (When you need God’s help. When you have a decision to make. When you need to know you’re not alone.) Lead children in prayer, thanking God that we can pray to Him for help and for His promise to always hear our prayers. To finish the wristband, each child threads the ends of the strands through the loop formed at the center and knots the other end (see sketch c). For Younger Children Children make wristbands by threading pony beads on lengths of yarn or plastic lacing. 194 ● © 2012 Gospel Light. Permission to photocopy granted to original purchaser only. Summit Seekers Lesson11.qxp:13 Week 11/4/11 11:28 AM Page 195 Lesson Eleven Worship Center Joshua 9 Collect Bibles, Summit Seekers CD-ROM and CD player, song charts (pp. 254, 255), large sheet of paper, markers, tape, two balloons. rd God’s WGood, for you you, O e “I call on e ear to m iv g ; e m r e 17:6 will answ yer.” Psalm ra p y m r a and he Prepare Print “Psalm 17:6” at the top of a large sheet of paper, making one paper for each group of up to six children. Tape papers to the wall on one side of the room. Place a marker and a Bible open to Psalm 17:6 next to each paper. Blow up two balloons. On one balloon, print “A decision God can help me with is . . .”; on the other, print “I will ask for God’s help when . . . .” n: r Childre e g n u o Y For u, O God, yo “I call on me.” ill answer for you w e se for M i m o r P s ’ c e b ause God d for help ray to Go rayers. We can p hear our p s y a lw a es to He promis Team Game Name five or more related objects or activities (hike, swim, roast marshmallows, bird watch, skip rocks on a lake, etc.). As you name objects or activities, children pantomime using the items or doing the actions. Repeat with other objects and activities, naming them faster each time. the second word of the verse. Play continues until all teams complete the entire verse. Song You, or another leader, lead children in singing “You Are My Hiding Place,” adding motions and/or clapping if desired. Bible Verse Game Children divide into teams of up to six children. Teams line up on the side of the room opposite from the papers. At your signal, the first player on each team runs to the nearest paper, reads the verse from the Bible and writes the first word of the verse on the paper. Child leaves the Bible open, lays down marker and returns to tag the next player in line. The next player then runs to find and write Prayer Children bat balloons you prepared in the air until you signal to stop. Children who catch the balloons finish the sentences on the balloons. Repeat activity until several children have had a chance to complete the sentences. Close prayer time by thanking God for His promise to always hear our prayers. Song You, or another leader, lead children in singing “My God Will Meet All Your Needs,” adding motions and/or clapping if desired. © 2012 Gospel Light. Permission to photocopy granted to original purchaser only. Summit Seekers ● 195 Lesson11.qxp:13 Week 11/4/11 11:28 AM Page 196 Lesson Eleven ● Pattern Page 196 ● © 2012 Gospel Light. Permission to photocopy granted to original purchaser only. Summit Seekers 11:28 AM Page 197 Lesson Eleven ● Coloring/Puzzle Center What do you like to talk to God about? 11/4/11 “I call on you, O God, for you will answer me.” Psalm 17:6 Lesson11.qxp:13 Week © 2012 Gospel Light. Permission to photocopy granted to original purchaser only. Summit Seekers ● 197 Lesson11.qxp:13 Week 11/4/11 11:28 AM Page 198 Lesson Eleven ● Coloring/Puzzle Center Jigsaw It The sign is in pieces! Find where each puzzle piece belongs and copy the letters onto the puzzle. You will find an important message about God’s promise to hear your prayers. What is someth in you wa nt to ta g lk to God ab out tod ay? 198 ● © 2012 Gospel Light. Permission to photocopy granted to original purchaser only. Summit Seekers